Opportunities From: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network

WHY DONATE? Help us continue to fight hunger.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? The people who benefit from Pantry 279 are of all ages and backgrounds.  We provide food and toiletries.

DONATION INFORMATION: Donations can be made on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 11am-6pm and Saturday from 11am-3pm. at 3609 St Rd. 46, Bloomington (in Smith Pike Plaza between Urban Air and El Ranchero). Donation boxes are also located around the back if donations are made during off hours

CONTACT: Cindy Chavez, (812) 606-1524, pantry279@yahoo.com

AMAZON WISH LIST LINK

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

     Paypal  pantry279@yahoo.com

     Venmo   @pantry279

     Mail direct P.O. Box 312, Ellettsville, IN 47429

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 827 W. 14th Court, Bloomington IN 47404; Pathways is accepting food, cleaning, and hygiene items! We will have staff members on-site Monday- Friday from 9:30 am-4:30 pm to assist in collecting donations.
When you arrive, please ring the door bell! 

CONTACT: Jacky Perez, (812) 339-3429 ext 24, jperez@btownpathways.org

We are grateful for your continued support!!

AMAZON WISH LIST LINK

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

Food: 

·        Canned or dry refried, Kidney, black, baked beans, and Chili beans

·        Jelly 

·        Ramen noodles

·        Broth chicken or beef

·        Sugar 

·        baking essentials

·        Popcorn

·        Instant coffee & tea

·        Canned potatoes, carrots, and mixed veggies

·        Peaches, pineapple, fruit cups, pure pumpkin, and apple sauce

·        Easy on-the-go snacks, pudding, chips, etc.

·        Easy mac/regular mac n cheese

·        Hamburger helper, Knorr, and mashed potatoes

·        Oatmeal packs

·        Pancake mix

·        Sweet cereal

·        Chips

·        Chocolate chips

·        Sloppy joe

·        Juice 

·        Jiffy mix

For food, I wanted to see if we could look for gluten-free and non-dairy options.  It would help us be more mindful of folks' dietary needs and give them some variety. 

C+H:

·        Kids toothbrush

·        Bodywash 

·        Hand soap

·        Paper towels

·        Disinfecting wipes

·        Laundry detergent (sheets or liquid)

·        Kids toothpaste

·        Kids 3 in 1 shampoo & bodywash

·        Toilet cleaner

·        Laundry detergent

·        Sponge 

·        Adult/baby lotion

Pull ups 

WHY DONATE? When Goat Conspiracy "transfarmed" from a for-profit dairy to a nonprofit sanctuary, we had to find new, diverse sources of revenue. We offer tours, goat yoga, and private and public events, but as a young organization, we definitely rely on donors to help provide the best lives for our residents. 119 goats need literal tons of hay and regular health checks and veterinary care. Donors ensure that they can live their best lives.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Most of our time and resources go toward taking care of our animals!

DONATION DELIVERY: 6030 E Kent Road, Bloomington, IN 47401

CONTACT: Amy Osajima, amy@thegoatconspiracy.org, 812-727-4220
If you would like to make a donation, just call or email!

The Goat Conspiracy began as a small local sustainably-oriented farm and creamery. After almost a decade of working the farm, we began to understand gaps that could not be closed with respect to sustainability and animal welfare. In the winter of 2024, we began our "transfarmation" into a sanctuary/retirement home for our goats and chickens.

We would love for you to visit the Goat Conspiracy and learn more about our story, how we saw ourselves as an alternative to factory farms, but ended up realizing the impact of dairy among other forms of animal agriculture are neither sustainable nor truly in line with animal welfare. We offer farm visits/tours, yoga classes, birthday parties and hold a variety of events on the farm (follow us on Facebook or Instagram or sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of our home page).

THE BIG STUFF

GENERAL SANCTUARY NEEDS

Livestock Scratching Brush Goat Scratcher Full Massage Grooming Brush

 Manna Pro Pine Shavings for Chicken Bedding

Little Giant® Muck Cart

Little Giant® Plastic Muck Tub

True Temper R6STFFEC 6 Cu. Ft Steel Tray Wheelbarrow

You can see our current Amazon wish list here.

We can also use:

YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!!

The Shalom Center day shelter provides free meals to people experiencing poverty in Bloomington. We provide breakfast for around 60 people every morning and lunch for around 120 every afternoon. This vital and life saving service is offered every day the Shalom Center is open, Monday through Friday. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We have openings for those that are interested in being front and center, as well as those who would prefer to work behind the scenes! 

Our 7:30am-9:30am volunteers help with setting up breakfast, prepping for lunch, and cleaning up breakfast service. This position is a nice mix of guest interaction and quieter prep time.

Our 9:30am-11:30am volunteers help with prepping for lunch. This position is ideal for the person who wants to help but would like to do so when it's a bit quieter.

Our 11:45am-2pm volunteers are front and center! They help with serving meals directly to our guests, as well as cleaning up after lunch service. If you want the chance to interact with our guests, this shift is for you.

Do you want to help out, but really only have time around the holidays, or when IU students are gone on breaks? We need you! We are looking for volunteers to do regular, weekly shifts as well as filling in during the summer and holidays. 

Minimum age for these shifts is 14, or 10-13 with a parent/guardian present.

To apply for this opportunity, please visit the link below and fill out the application. The volunteer coordinator will then reach out to you to schedule an orientation!

https://beaconinc.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=69936

JOIN OUR TEAM AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE ONE PERSON CAN MAKE!

**Please do NOT reply to this message.**

Do you have some free time between now and January?

Do you want to make a difference in your community?

Do you want to help, but can't make a long-term commitment?

WE NEED YOU!

The Shalom Center day shelter provides free meals to people experiencing poverty in Bloomington. We provide breakfast for around 60 people every morning and lunch for around 120 every afternoon. This vital and life saving service is offered every day the Shalom Center is open, Monday through Friday.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Our 7:30am to 9:30am volunteers help with setting up breakfast, prep for lunch, and cleaning up breakfast service. This position is a nice mix of guest interaction and quieter prep time.

Our 9:30am-11:30am volunteers help with prepping for lunch. This position is ideal for the person who wants to help but would like to do so when it's a bit quieter.

Our 11:45am-2pm volunteers are front and center! They help with serving meals directly to our guests, as well as clean up after lunch service. If you want the chance to interact with our guests, this shift is for you.

You don't have to have any kitchen experience to join our team! 

To apply for this opportunity, please visit the link below and fill out the application. The volunteer coordinator will then reach out to you to schedule an orientation!

https://beaconinc.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=69936

JOIN OUR TEAM AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE ONE PERSON CAN MAKE!

Come and volunteer with us at ReStore! The ReStore has three different positions available each day, which provide a slightly different ReStore experience.  Come and join us!

Cashiers:

- Assist customers in purchasing their items at the register
- Are a friendly face as shoppers enter the store, and answer questions about the merchandise, and pricing.
- Should have a willingness to learn our POS (point-of-sale) system at the register
- Can occasionally help by answering the phone and/or helping to schedule donation pick-ups
- When overstaffed or during a lull in business, help to organize and/or clean the showroom

 Donations Intake Assistants:
- This position is a more physical volunteer role. You will be assisting the warehouse staff with incoming donations and outgoing purchases.
- This position includes processing donations to move them out on the sales floor, and back when purchases are made, as well as loading and unloading from vehicles in the drop-off drive.
- Punctual, reliable, and consistent volunteers may also assist on our truck with donation pickups from local residents and businesses.

Showroom Assistants:
- Will mainly be on the showroom floor, assisting customers as they shop by answering questions about the merchandise, pricing, and the Habitat program.
- Help process housewares and other items by placing and organizing them on the floor.
- Assist in keeping merchandise and the sales floor clean and attractive to customers through sweeping, mopping, cleaning, wiping windows, etc.
- A keen eye for organization is a great addition to this position!

ReStore hours: Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm; Closed Sunday & Monday

If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service Manager, Garrett Cox, at 812.331.2660 Ext 101 or email gcox@monroecountyhabitat.org. Thank you!

https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/volunteer

WHY DONATE? Empower young people at all of our locations. 

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington has four different units: Lincoln Street, Ferguson Crestmont, Ellettsville and Owen County.  Donations will benefit youth at all locations!

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 803 N. Monroe St. Bloomington, IN 47402

CONTACT: Rachel Dobias - rdobias@bgcbloomington.org

CLUB PROGRAM WISH LIST: Please Click Here to View*

CLUB PROGRAM WISH LIST (AMAZON): Please Click Here

From emergency shelter, restroom/shower facilities, a commercial kitchen and cafeteria, community day rooms, long-term, residential programming, and communal space, Wheeler Mission--Bloomington's team has a lot to maintain each and every day.  We're looking for volunteer groups to walk alongside us to deep clean facilities within our Westplex Avenue campus on Saturday mornings.  

Due to our campus being renovated, please park in front of Wheeler Mission--Bloomington's Annex (135 S. Westplex Ave., Bloomington, IN 47404) upon arrival.

Help us care for our shelter animals in Nashville, while they wait for their new homes.

At the Brown County Humane Society, we pride ourselves on how well we care for our animals, and our shelter. Every morning, our staff and volunteers care for our dogs and cats by cleaning their living space, supplying new blankets and toys, and giving them food, water and treats. We make sure that the environment our animals are in is as clean, comfortable, and safe as possible. Position also involves helping staff with daily tasks like dishes, laundry and general shelter cleaning. Along the way, there are plenty of cuddles, pets, and laughs. It's a great way to spend time with the animals and get to know other volunteers, and it's an essential part of our successful adoptions.

Volunteers will need their own transportation to the shelter in Nashville, which is about 25 minutes from the east side of Bloomington.

You must be able to bend, reach, kneel and lift. Training is provided.

Requires one shift per week on a regular schedule. Shifts are from 9am to 11am/Noon depending on animal population.  NEW OPTION: If you cannot commit to a set day of the week, we are now accepting volunteers to help on a sign-up basis. We ask that you commit to one day at least every other week, but it will not be a set schedule.

Applicants should fill out the BCHS volunteer application online at: http://www.bchumane.org/volunteer/volunteer-application/

Order online from our Amazon wish list. Quantity can be changed in the Cart. Choose the Gift Registry Address Teachers Warehouse and items will be shipped directly to Teachers Warehouse.

Purchase school supplies locally or gather up items you already own and deliver in person to 524 N. Fairview Ave. in Bloomington. 

DONATION HOURS:  M-T-W-Th from 3:30-6:00 and Sat. from 9:30-12:30, except holiday weekends

Not Accepted:

Please do not donate items that are torn or dirty.

The MCHA Pet Food & Supply Pantry provides support to families experiencing temporary financial difficulties while ensuring no pet goes hungry. MCHA is deeply committed to keeping pets with their families and reducing the number of animals surrendered. By doing so, we aim to foster a community where every pet is valued, cared for, and safe in their homes. This program is designed to give extra help alongside your pet’s usual food, not to be the only food they rely on for nutrition. 

In 2023, MCHA distributed more than 12.5 tons (25,000 lbs of food) of pet food to our community.

Questions? Contact Liz Austin at eaustin@monroehumane.org or 812-333-6242

OUR DONATION WISH LIST

Pet food donations can be dropped off at our Animal Care Campus, located at 791 S Fieldstone Blvd.

Amazon.com wish list: 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YJK78BB6YQ3K/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Chewy.com wish list:

https://www.chewy.com/g/monroe-county-humane-association_b69049289

When ordering items from online, please ship to: Monroe County Humane Association, 791 S Fieldstone Blvd, Bloomington, IN 47403

There is always something to organize or sort at ArtRemains

Donation bags need to be emptied and categorized. Macrorganizing

After macro organizing there is micro organizing.  Sorting beads by type or color for example.

WHY DONATE? CASA needs your help!

WHO WILL BENEFIT? The donated items will directly benefit CASA volunteers and the children they advocate for.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 320 W. 8th St. Suite 201 Bloomington IN 47404

CONTACT: Amber Shride, (812) 333-2272, amber.shride@monroecountycasa.org

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS: new unwrapped toys and gifts for children ages 0-18

OUR 1 BIG WISH: Gift cards to stores in denominations of $25 or more to shop for teens or provide needed food and supplies for families during the holiday season (Wal-Mart, Target, Aldi, Amazon are preferred).

The Orchard hosts weekly Work and Learn Days, from April to November, and all are welcome to join! 

The Orchard's Work & Learn Days offer a weekly opportunity for community members of all experience-levels to help us cultivate the flagship Orchard site, while developing their own hands-on orcharding skills. The first of these each month begins with an Orchard Tour. We encourage volunteers to bring their own water, hat, sunscreen, close-toed shoes and clothes fit for the season. All are welcome, and no experience is needed – we’ll show you what to do when you arrive!

These events are free, and open to the public, with no registration or experience required (though we appreciate advance notice for groups of 5+ people). We simply ask that you dress appropriately to do outdoor work, and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Snacks and drinks will be provided as well as any other tools you may need to help out!

We hope you can join us to get outside and enjoy nature, make new friends, and learn some sustainable, organic orcharding practices. All are welcome.

See you in the Orchard!  

Schedule

Location:  2120 S. Highland Ave., Bloomington, IN 47401 (across from the YMCA)

Please schedule large groups in advance.

Contact: Operations@bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org

WFHB Community Radio’s Youth Radio department is looking for people ages 13-20 to help cover local news. In this role, you’ll get hands-on experience by investigating topics that interest you, from local government to human interest stories. You’ll learn skills like researching, conducting interviews, and editing audio. No experience is needed - just bring your curiosity, and we’ll provide the training to help you succeed!

PEAK Animal Sanctuary is a haven for animals that inspires community and advocates for a peaceful coexistence with other species. PEAK stands for "People, Earth, and Animals in Kinship." We are home to dozens of rescued farmed animals including cows, pigs, goats, turkeys, and chickens, and are located in Freedom, Indiana.

PEAK is thrilled to be a host sanctuary for the LEAP program. LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) is a transformative education initiative that engages high school students nationwide. It offers an empathetic alternative to conventional agricultural programs like 4H and FFA. From September to May, students dedicate around 10 hours each month to volunteer at PEAK, where they tend to rescued animals, undertake infrastructure projects, and delve into issues such as veganism, environmental sustainability, and climate action. LEAP equips young individuals to confront and devise solutions for pressing challenges like animal welfare, climate change, food scarcity, and habitat degradation, culminating in community projects that epitomize their learning and impact.

PEAK will host a select group of up to eight high school students for the 2024-25 school year. Students will benefit from a blend of interactive lessons and hands-on experiences, enriched with leadership training and skill development. All LEAP workshops are held on Saturdays. Calendar coming soon! For more information about PEAK Animal Sanctuary or to apply for the LEAP program, please visit https://www.peakanimalsanctuary.org/leapatpeak or contact Natalie Levin at natalie@uplandspeak.org.

My Sister’s Closet of Monroe County is losing its lease, but the good news is, we have finally found a building to relocate our Free Client Services!  We are closing May 30th, and need the community’s help towards the purchase of this building.  How can you help?  Go to our website's donate page located at www.sisterscloset.org/relocation-fund/.

Also, consider attending our Roaring Gala April 26th. Get your ticket or reserve your table today at  https://event.auctria.com/f6ae77f8-c521-4662-912d-cc9f6291b14c/ Last date to purchase tickets for this event is Tuesday, April 22nd.

Did you know we have an Amazon Wishlist with our most pressing needs?  Click the link or copy/paste this URL into your browser:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/UPRHOBW7HIJ4?leftNavSection=Shopping&ref_=abls_lnv_sl

My Sister's Closet is currently out of the following items for clients:

Most Needed Client Items 

Call 812.320.0652 with questions or to arrange a donation.

Running My Sister’s Closet requires ongoing supplies to serve both clients as well as volunteers.
The following is a list of items we are always in need of:

WFHB Community Radio is looking for DJs (ages 13-20) to host one-hour shows on Saturdays between 4 and 8 pm during Youth Radio. If you're passionate about music, this is your chance to share your favorite tracks with the community! You’ll get hands-on experience hosting a radio show, curating playlists, and operating broadcast and recording equipment. We welcome all music tastes and no experience is required as we provide all the training you need!

WHY DONATE? Help us share the visual arts with Bloomington

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Your donation will help us communicate with the public more effectively, through written and spoken word. It will allow us to provide enrichment in our kids' classes as they have more opportunities to get hands-on.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 229 W Grimes Ave, Bloomington IN 47403

CONTACT: Abby Gitlitz, (812) 369-4777, bcgcglass@gmail.com

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS: NA

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

Donations are much appreciated. Please see our Amazon registry for the supplies we need the most. 

Monetary donations are also welcome and greatly appreciated!

Donations are accepted at our location, or can be mailed to:  Bloomington Animal Care and Control, 3410 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401. Checks should be written to BACC(Bloomington Animal Care and Control).

Material donations may be dropped off in the brown plastic bench outside the west side door marked "Administration" anytime, or in the Front Lobby when we are open. Monetary donations are accepted Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12-5pm, Saturday from 12pm-3pm, and Sunday from 12pm-3pm, or you may make a donation over the phone. Please contact BACC at (812) 349-3492 with any questions regarding donations.

Volunteering with Special Olympics is a rewarding and exciting experience.  This organization provides an opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities to explore their competitive nature as well as allowing them to work on fitness and sports skills.  Special Olympic sports open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities to create inclusive communities all over the world.  It is a wonderful avenue for socialization for athletes and volunteers alike.   Dedicated volunteers can find a place in the organization that fits their schedule and comfort level. 

Areas to consider are: coaches, assistant coaches, event planners, public relations, athlete coordinator and utility players. 

Volunteers are required to have patience, perseverance and a good sense of humor.  Also required is training that includes a background check. 

A wonderful opportunity for those who want to include community involvement in their resume or for a retired or semi-retired individual who is looking for a gratifying experience that helps people shine.  

Just visit our Amazon Wish List to purchase and ship/deliver one or more of the listed referenced items

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 215 S. Westplex Ave. Bloomington IN 47404

QUESTIONS: Contact Chris-Michael (C-M) Morrison at cmmorrison@wheelermission.org.  

Purchase, assemble, and deliver 120 Lunches for our guests at Wheeler Mission - Bloomington! Join your family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues in preparing sack meals. Sack meals should be prepared by individuals or groups in a commercial kitchen exercising proper food handling precautions. 

We are looking for groups willing to do one of these two options:

This position is the face of BCHS. You will greet customers as they enter the shelter, direct them to the appropriate areas, answer the phones and assist staff in daily tasks to promote animal adoption. Other tasks include prepping of animal enrichment items, assisting with cleaning tasks around the shelter and socializing with animals as time allows.

Volunteers will need to have transportation to get to the shelter, which is about 20 minutes from the east side of Bloomington.

Volunteers are asked to commit to a set day of the week for a shift of 3-5 hours each time. Days available are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and the shelter is open Noon to 5pm these days. 

Applicants should fill out our volunteer application online at: http://www.bchumane.org/volunteer/volunteer-application/

This volunteer role is specifically for helping in the barn with tasks such as mucking stalls, filling water buckets, raking the dirt aisle way, cleaning tack, picking up and taking out trash, doing laundry, etc.

Before volunteering for Barn Help, we ask all new volunteers to attend our Orientation hosted on the first Saturday of each month at 9am.

Shifts times are subject to change, however they are currently available daily in the afternoons. We provide an online portal for volunteer to sign up for shifts. 

WHY DONATE? Provide recycled and re-purposed materials for creativity. 

MISSION: The MFA is a reuse program open to nonprofit groups including: churches, schools, shelters, and also artists and volunteers working on community projects. There is such a large assortment of nonprofit groups, that we can't list them all! The MFA is designed to serve groups of Monroe County. Groups from outside of Monroe County, may trade items, but please call in advance for details.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Community nonprofit groups including schools, churches, homeless shelters, scouts, Headstart, nursing homes, MC History Center, IU groups/program, Community programs/arts, and more. If a non-profit asks for items, we respond.

DONATIONS: The Materials for the Art's normal hours of operation are Thursday from 8am - 4:30pm, or by appointment with a 24-hour prior notice. Masks are not required, but are appreciated and requested.

Donations can be delivered to 3400 S Walnut St, Bloomington IN 47401, *please call ahead to determine what days/times Mary Hunter is available to receive them. 

*CONTACT: Mary Hunter, (812) 349-2022, mhunter@mcswmd.org

Top needs:

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

craft items

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

WHY DONATE? Community Kitchen is Celebrating 40 years of service, providing meals to anyone in need since 1983. About 60% of our meals go to support at-risk youth.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? These wish list items are all things that will help directly or indirectly our staff and volunteers efficiently serve and support those struggling in our community. We take great pride in providing a safe, clean, and dignified place for the community.  Some donations are equipment to assist our staff and volunteers in preparing around 500 meals a day.

DONATION INSTRUCTIONS: Food and financial donations can be dropped off at Community Kitchen’s main location (1515 S Rogers St), Monday – Friday from 7am-6pm, Saturday from 11am-6pm.

CONTACT: Tim Clougher, (812) 332-0999 or assistantdirector@monroecommunitykitchen.com

Additionally, our Backpack Buddies program provides assistance to help children and their families with their weekend food needs. Backpacks are distributed once a week, and our ongoing Backpack Buddies food needs are listed below.

Backpack Buddies Food list:

 Thanksgiving Wishes:

Christmas Meal Wish List:

WHY DONATE? Donate to support community cats through education and promotion of alternatives to euthanasia with Trap-Neuter-Return and humane care.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Feral Cat Friend's foster volunteers and colony caretakers will use these supplies to feed and shelter community cats.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: Bynum Fanyo Office, 528 N. Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47404

CONTACT: Theresa Block, communitycatstnr@gmail.com

CHEWY.COM ONLINE WISH LIST: https://www.chewy.com/g/feral-cat-friends-inc_b73684867

WEBSITE:  http://www.feralcatfriend.org/donate/wish-list/

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

WHY DONATE? Support seniors, persons with disabilities, and family caregivers.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Your donation will support the many seniors, people with disabilities, and family caregivers who rely on Area 10 to provide resources for their quality of life.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 631 W. Edgewood Dr. Ellettsville IN 47429

CONTACT: Chris Myers, (812) 876-3383, cmyers@area10agency.org

OUR DONATION WISH LIST:

Mobility Device Lending Library

Area 10 and Senior Housing

Endwright Center & Endwright East senior centers' needs:

 Mobile Food Pantry needs:

We need plastic or reusable bags always, as well as carbon sources for our compost! This can be any paper without staples, and no receipts. 

We could really use some Kids Snacks to distribute in our pantry. This can include:  Mac and cheese ● Nut butters and jelly/jam ● Cereal ● Juice ● No-nut granola bars ● Fruit Snacks ● Crackers ● Dehydrated fruits ● Popcorn. The idea is to provide healthy, easy to eat snacks to children in our community on order to help prevent meal gaps.

We also need volunteers! To volunteer, please contact Mercury at mhc@mhcfoodpantry.org!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We appreciate your desire to help community members access food! Thank you.

We are accepting specific items for donation. A complete list can be found here. Along with these items, we also appreciate donations of home or locally grown produce and eggs. If you are unsure if we will accept a donation, please feel free to call our office at (812) 339-5887 to check!

We appreciate food donations, but we always encourage community members to fundraise cash donations for us instead! That way, we can purchase and provide the best quality and quantity of food possible. 

​Donations can be delivered to the Hub on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 10am-6pm. If you have a larger donation, please call us
first!

● Formula
● Mac and cheese
● Nut butters and jelly/jam
● Cereal
● Juice
● No-nut granola bars
● Baby food
● Diapers and pull-ups

● Pop-top canned foods
● Granola bars
● Dehydrated fruits or meats
● Tortillas
● Cereal
● Instant coffee
● Protein bars
● Tuna
● Nuts
● Bottled water
● Hot hands

● Can openers
● Laundry detergent
● Tampons/pads
● Adult diapers
● Cleaning supplies
● Toilet paper/paper towels
● Pet food, supplies, litter

● Non-dairy milks
● Non-whey protein supplements
● Tofu
● Nutritional yeast
● Hemp, flax, or chia seeds
● Gluten-free bread, flours, pastas, baking mix, oats
● Rice
● Quinoa, sorghum, buckwheat, amaranth, teff, cornmeal, brown rice
● Cooking oils
● Spices
● Nut-free products
● Allergy-safe products

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

WHY DONATE? Help out the food bank!

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Our agencies and clients.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 2333 West Industrial Park Drive, Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm 

DONATION MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 697 Bloomington, IN 47402

CONTACT: Jake Bruner, (812) 334-8374, office@hhfoodbank.org

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

WHY DONATE? Support our school, students and teachers!

WHO WILL BENEFIT? The young people of our school.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 909 E 2nd St Bloomington IN 47401

CONTACT: Fern Goodman, (812) 334-8349, fern@harmonyschool.org

 wish list

Our teachers and staff have created wish lists for each program/need area. Please visit our online wish list: https://harmonyschool.org/harmonywishlist/

OUR BIG WISH ITEMS:

WHY DONATE? Help older volunteers make a difference in the lives of kids!

WHO WILL BENEFIT? These items support RSVP projects to make Hug-a-Bears for kids having surgery.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 631 W Edgewood Dr. Ellettsville IN 47429

CONTACT: Amy Wardlow, (812) 935-2523, awardlow@area10agency.org

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

Help keep our water clean!  Engage in water quality monitoring, including its biological, chemical, and physical parameters.  This is a great opportunity for school groups, neighborhoods, civic organizations, and more.

To involve the citizens of Indiana in becoming active stewards of Indiana's water resources through watershed education, water monitoring, and clean-up activities. Hoosier Riverwatch is a State-sponsored water quality monitoring initiative.

We accomplish this mission through the following goals:

Look at the www.hoosierriverwatch.com website to learn more.

GET STARTED TODAY! For more information or assistance signing up, contact City of Bloomington Utilities, Attn: Kriste Lindberg, Stormwater Education Specialist, stormwater@bloomington.in.gov , or phone (812) 349-3617.

WHY DONATE? Support violence prevention and recovery for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? You will be helping individuals and families who are at our emergency shelter and transitional housing receive items they need.

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

New Wings Emergency Shelter

Please contact our Shelter Manager to see if your used items can be used. Thank you so much for your generosity.

DONATIONS: To see if your items can be used, and to arrange your donation, contact donations@middlewayhouse.org, or call 812-333-7404. *Means we are very low on this item(s).

Donations Needed 

Winter

Children's Clothing

Men’s Clothing

Diapers and Pull-ups for the Emergency Shelter*

Donations we can always use for residents who are gaining independent housing. (All items should be new or in gently used and clean conditions please.)

Special items for fall and winter time

Generic Gift Cards (used to purchase birth certificates, gas etc) $10 & $20 increments

The RISE! Transitional Housing Program

Clothing: *only accepting the following clothing items*

Linens:

Household Items:

Toiletries/cleaning supplies

kitchen items/paper goods:

Toys/games/books

Wishlist for the children at RISE! and our Emergency Shelter

Please feel free to contact us at communications@middlewayhouse.org for any questions.

We would love to have the Spanish versions of all these books, as well.

COVID UPDATE:

Masks are voluntary at Community Kitchen. We will continue to monitor local Health Department guidelines and mandates, making changes to our policy as needed.

 You can help prepare and serve free meals six days a week for in-house and carry-out patrons. No previous experience is needed just a willingness to help. There are two volunteer shifts daily Monday through Saturday.

MINIMUM AGE: Those age 14 and older may volunteer without an adult. Youth 10-13 may volunteer if accompanied by an adult.

Contact June Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator, DIRECTLY by email (june@monroecommunitykitchen.com) or phone (812-332-0999) to ask about shift availability and scheduling.

For all shift requests:

Important: We have wonderful volunteers and therefore some shifts fill fast. You will need to register well in advance if you have a specific date preference, hours need, or volunteer group to accommodate. We will do our best to schedule you according to your needs and ours. Thank you!

WHY DONATE? Your donations help support quality childcare and services through MCUM.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Those who are needing assistance will benefit as well as those who are giving.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 907 West 11th St Bloomington Indiana 47404

CONTACT: Na'Kia Jones-Clark, ophousevc@gmail.com

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

Weed Wrangles are opportunities for volunteers to join our Urban Greenspace staff to learn more about identification and removal of the invasive species threatening our native ecosystem. Together we care for our parks, natural habitats, and build wildlife corridors.

 Duties: We have fun! Volunteers will be bending, hiking, and climbing as needed. Gloves and tools are provided. Dress for outdoors, wear a hat, and bring a water bottle.

 Times: Times and locations vary - please visit our volunteer dashboard for more information on when and where upcoming Wrangles will be occurring.

 Age of Volunteers: 12 yrs. and up. (Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.) Volunteers under the age of 18 must have an Underage Waiver of Liability signed by a parent or guardian. CLICK HERE to complete our digital waiver

Submit a Request for Pickup  

Request a Pickup by phone at 812-961-1510  Ext 1 to request a pickup of furniture or appliance

WHY DONATE?    Extend the life of your usable furniture and appliances by giving to those in need in Bloomington and Monroe County.

WHO WILL BENEFIT?   Local persons and families in need who receive your items.

We Accept dropoffs of acceptable items at our warehouse on Saturday mornings between 8 am and 11 am and on most Wednesdays and Fridays between 11 am and 1 pm at  1999 N Packing House Rd -- Drop Off Instructions

CONTACT: Scott Alber, (812) 961-1510 ext.0, salber@bloomingtonsvdp.org for more information

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

WHAT WE DON'T ACCEPT

OUR BIG WISH:

WHY DONATE? Provide basic needs to those who need them

WHO WILL BENEFIT? The individuals who rely on assistance from our Food Pantry and Hygiene pantry

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 111 No Rogers St Bloomington IN 47404

CONTACT: Monica Clemons, (812) 336-4310, monica.clemons@usc.salvationarmy.org

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

Taggers/Pricers check clothing for quality, attach price tag, (using a ready made price list) Most of the work is done sitting (and chatting!)

Come join the fun with our award winning community of volunteers and help us continue to support MCUM's childcare and other programs.

All regular volunteers can earn free clothes!

Hours - once trained volunteers pick a time that works for them, within the current opening times 9.00-3 Most volunteers work a 2-3hr shift

The Monroe County History Center is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our team as Front Desk Volunteers. As a Front Desk Volunteer, you will play a vital role in creating a welcoming and informative environment for our museum guests. This position offers an excellent opportunity to engage with visitors, gain experience in guest relations, and contribute to the success of our museum operations.

Responsibilities

- Greet visitors warmly and provide information about the museum and its exhibits
- Manage admissions by processing ticket sales and memberships
- Answer phone calls and respond to inquiries in a professional and courteous manner
- Assist visitors in the Museum Store, including processing sales transactions and providing product information
- Maintain cleanliness and organization at the front desk area
- Assist with other tasks and projects as needed

Qualifications

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Friendly and approachable demeanor
- Ability to multitask and work effectively in a sometimes fast-paced environment
- Reliable and punctual
- Interest in local history and willingness to learn about museum exhibits and programs
- Prior customer service experience is a plus but not required

Benefits

- Gain valuable experience in guest relations and museum operations
- Work in a dynamic and supportive team environment
- Opportunity to interact with visitors from diverse backgrounds
- Training provided; no prior experience necessary

Volunteers assist with a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to packing boxes, sorting produce, stocking, working the front desk, assisting patrons in the pantry, and repackaging bulk goods. Lifting abilities are preferred but not required.

Time Commitment: 2 hours per week, every week

Days and Times: There are pantry shifts open Tuesdays-Thursday, 10 pm-6 pm. Shifts are generally 10am-12pm, 12-2 pm, 2-4 pm, and 4-6 pm.

​Families are welcome to volunteer together as a group.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Liz at outreach@mhcfoodpantry.org

We are actively seeking warehouse volunteers over the next couple of months to help us catch up on a few different projects. Volunteer numbers have been down for the month of July and the beginning of August. 

Volunteers are needed for 2-3 hour shifts Monday-Thursday between 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Volunteers will assist with food sorting, cleaning, office duties, box packing, and bulk food packing.

WHY DONATE? Help support kids exploring science

WHO WILL BENEFIT? All museum visitors and curious minds in our community.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 308 W. 4th St. Bloomington Indiana 47404

CONTACT: Kelli Debikey, Volunteer Manager at (812) 337-1337 ext. 21 or kelli@wonderlab.org

AMAZON WISH LIST LINK

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

WHY DONATE? We are a group of public housing residents who take residents' concerns, suggestions, etc. to the staff of the Bloomington Housing Authority. We organize events for the residents of the Bloomington Housing Authority. We also run a weekly food pantry and monthly non-food pantry

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Donations will help individuals and families who live in public housing with non-EBT items and giveaway/raffles items at events the council organizes.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 1016 Summit St. Bloomington, IN 47404

CONTACT: Marta Hall, leave a message at (812) 410-0160, martaannhall@gmail.com 

WISH LIST:

WHY DONATE? Scaly Tailz needs your help!

WHO WILL BENEFIT? The animals are the ones who benefit the most.  Also, our crew is able to perform their duties better and promote Scaly Tailz even more.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: We can do contact-less pick-up, or give you an address for contact-less drop-off.

CONTACT: Sheryl Mitchell, (812) 558-1937, ScalyTailz@gmail.com

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

ALA Unit 18 is partnering with Stamps for the Wounded. Drop them off at the Burton Woolery Post 18 and then ALA Unit 18 will send them off to Stamps for the Wounded.  If you cannot get to the Post, then contact Jenny Tracy jtracy@ciswired.com to coordinate a pick up.

Stamps for the Wounded (SFTW) is a service organization dedicated to providing comfort and stimulating activity to U.S. veterans through stamp collecting. SFTW sends donated postage stamps and other philatelic material and supplies to wounded, ill, and isolated veterans. SFTW has been helping veterans since 1942.

One way that you can help our veterans is to save / gather envelopes from the mail coming to your home, business, fraternal or volunteer organization, neighborhood, etc. You can then clip most of the postage stamps from the envelopes and send them to SFTW. We will send them to veterans to sort, soak and arrange for their own collections. 

Postage stamps, whether they are on paper or off paper.

Postage stamps from the USA or from any other country in the world.

Computer-generated postage labels.

Postal stationary : envelopes with pre-printed “stamps”; postal cards with a pre-printed “stamp”; aerogrammes. These should not be clipped, they are more collectible as entire pieces.

Carefully clip, or tear the paper around outer edges of the perforations around the stamp. Do not clip off the perforations … this ruins the stamp. Please leave at least 1/4″ of margin around the outside edges of the performations of the stamp which makes it easier to soak the stamp from the envelope.

If clipping from an envelope corner, remove the back and side flaps.

Please do not try to steam, soak, pull or peel the stamps off the paper. Our veterans will do this, as part of the fun work of stamp collecting.

Please do not cut stamps from older envelopes (pre-1941) or from more modern envelopes if they have special markings, such as “First Day of Issue” cancellations, very interesting cancellations, routing markings or “Postage Due” notations, etc.

Postal stationary (postal cards, stamped envelopes, aerogrammes) should not be clipped.

Picture postcards should not be clipped. Postcards without stamps are also acceptable to send.

If you are in doubt about whether to clip the stamp from the envelope, please don’t. Send us the entire envelope and we’ll sort it.

THIS EFFORT ALLOWS VETERANS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REHABILIATE, NETWORK, AND SOCIALZE.

If you are passionate about social justice, environmentalism, fair wages, art, culture, or human rights, then Global Gifts may be the right volunteer opportunity for you. 

Since 1988, Global Gifts has been a volunteer-supported nonprofit and fair trade business. Fair Trade is a movement to reduce poverty, create safe and equitable working conditions, and provide fair wages to disadvantaged producers around the world. Unlike traditional production and labor models, fair trade is based on dialogue, transparency, and respect between the people who create products and those who purchase and distribute them.

From jewelry and home goods to toys and food items, our store is filled with handmade, one-of-a-kind items benefiting individuals in approximately 40 countries around the world. 

Our store is volunteer-supported and therefore we could not make it's impact without our volunteer team. 

Our volunteers provide valuable customer service, assist in-store operations, and help spread the mission of fair trade. Attending volunteer orientation is required before you begin to volunteer.

Volunteers commit to working a minimum of two shifts per month for at least three months (shifts vary from 2.5--4.5 hours). Volunteers need to be comfortable talking with customers and willing to learn about fair trade. 

All ages are welcome but those under 14 will need an adult present :)

***For more information & to RSVP to a Volunteer Orientation please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Adkins - melissa@globalgiftsft.com.

Please do not message through the BVN website. Thank you!!***

All of our clothing sales through the shop subsidize quality childcare programs for families in need through Monroe County United Ministries.

You can help more of those clothes get sold by making them look clean and pressed and ready to fly off the shelves and into someone's wardrobe.

Ironers are needed to press clothing to get ready for the sales floor. A great opportunity to check out each item before it goes out for sale!

Hours are flexible between 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Teens Welcome!

We're on the

bus line - Bloomington Transit 2 West.

WHY DONATE? The Project School is a K-8 chartered public school that focuses on individualized instruction for all students, including 30% of students with special needs, and 35% of students experiencing poverty. TPS measures its success based on the success of its students and families with the greatest need.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Donations to TPS will directly impact the 332 students enrolled in our school, as well as their families. 30% of our students have special learning needs, and 35% of our students receive free or reduced lunch. TPS receives 67 cents in education funding for every dollar received by the traditional school corporation. We look to visionary donors to help us bridge the gap to best support children and families!

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 349 South Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47401 - due to COVID protocols, visitors are not currently permitted in the building. We ask that donors call the front office at 812.558.0041 to indicate that they will be stopping by with a donation, and someone will be very pleased to meet them at the front door of the school to accept the donation.

CONTACT: Amy Jackson, (812) 272-5035, ajackson@theprojectschool.org

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

TEDxBloomington is looking to grow our team of video editors and producers. Some familiarity with video editing is preferable, however, we are also willing to work with individuals looking to advance their skills in this area. Volunteer opportunities include: helping to record talks and events (equipment can be provided), editing speaker videos, and/or producing short teaser videos for upcoming events. Commitments can range from helping with a single event or helping to edit a single video to being an ongoing or long-term volunteer role. 

WHY DONATE? Helping babies, kids, and their families

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Pregnant women and teens, children from birth through kindergarten age, new parents, guardians raising children, and clients facing: homelessness or inadequate housing, addiction, poverty, and other socioeconomic challenges.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 808 N College Ave Bloomington  IN 47404

CONTACT: Tina Lampke, (812) 334-0055, tina@hannahcenter.org

COVID-19 RELATED NEEDS & DONATION INSTRUCTIONS: NA

AMAZON WISH LIST LINK

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

We accept gently used items, but we also need some new items for our layettes! Any donations can be dropped off at the Center at 808 N College Avenue on the Hannah Center porch. Our Amazon Wishlist is also attached, and items can be directly shipped to us! https://a.co/j3NDfxI

WHY DONATE? Donate books and supplies to support prisoner solidarity

WHO WILL BENEFIT? MWPP serves folks locked in in 10 states: Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas,  Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.  Donations to the project benefit the hundreds of prisoners who write to the project every year and aid th

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 611 W 12th St Bloomington IN 47403

CONTACT: Taylor Dean, (812) 727-0155, mwpp@pagestoprisoners.org

COVID-19 RELATED NEEDS & DONATION INSTRUCTIONS:

AMAZON WISH LIST LINK

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

WHY DONATE? Keep the dogs happy and healthy as they await their forever homes

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Many of our requests this year are for the dogs  helping keep them out of mud (which saves time with fewer baths needed). Spring 2019 rains showed us exactly how muddy it can get and we want to prevent that in the future.  Also, our food storage barn nee

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 4259 Mangus Road Poland IN 47868

CONTACT: Joyce Deckard, (765) 7120036, ownedbycaninesandloveit@yahoo.com

AMAZON WISH LIST LINK

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

WHY DONATE? Promote compassion and peace

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Donations will help us to provide cultural, spiritual, educational and charitable missions  at the TMBCC.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 3655 S. Snoddy Rd. Bloomington IN 47401

CONTACT: Tenpa Phuntsok, (812) 3363680, tmbcc.kcl@gmail.com

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

WHY DONATE? Save the forests!

WHO WILL BENEFIT? Indiana Forest Alliance accomplishes its mission in six ways

1.By utilizing and collaborating with experts and researchers from leading universities and other institutions to document the value of preserving the natural diversity of forests in Indiana.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: 2123 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis IN 46202

CONTACT: Elizabeth  Tollefson, (312) 602-3692, elizabeth@indianaforestalliance.org

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS: NA

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

WHY DONATE? Making a House a Home

WHO WILL BENEFIT? The title of our wish list says it all. When our residents move into our houses they usually come with nothing except perhaps a change of clothes. We want to make them feel like they are moving into a home. To that end, we provide beds, bedding, dishes, kitchen utensils, furniture, decor--anything that is needed to make our residents feel like they have moved into a home and not just a place to sleep. Donations of furnishings, bedding, kitchen utensils--the usual items needed when moving into a new home-- would benefit our residents and Courage to Change Sober Living as a whole since buying these items takes a chunk of our budget.

DONATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: PO Box 3001 Bloomington Indiana 47402

CONTACT: Bobby Overman, (812) 320-0508, bobbyjpcv@gmail.com

COVID-19 RELATED NEEDS & DONATION INSTRUCTIONS: NA

AMAZON WISH LIST LINK 

OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST:

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL NEEDS:

OUR 1 BIG WISH:

Become a special events volunteer for CoVid Compliant Mental Wellness Awareness Events.

We do events seasonally; once a quarter. Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring to help relieve the stress and mental pressures of our communities.  Reminding them of the healing powers of nature and animals.

Please visit our facebook page for more info: www.facebook.com/cetposse

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION:

Bloomington Mask Drive resumes operations at Endwright East on July 27, and mask-makers are welcome to drop off masks there any time!

If you would like to receive email updates or be contacted about volunteer opportunities, please sign up here: Volunteer Sign-Up

At this time, we are focusing on supplying masks to our homeless shelters and then transitional housing locations that have been identified as having urgent needs are based on the fact of their high numbers and crowded conditions not allowing for adequate social distancing.  As these needs are filled, we will reevaluate the best place for the handmade masks to go based on current need.

Create masks using the CDC approved handmade masks by going to the PDF at https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask/Documents-Mask/Mask-Information or to view a video, go to https://youtu.be/9tBg0Os5FWQ.

After fully constructed, wash all masks in very warm water then

Place masks into a plastic bag (ziplock style preferred) and write the # of masks on the outside of the

Drop off the sealed bag at one of the following locations:

North

Northern Monroe Fire Protection Territory # 5 5081 N. Old State Road 37, Bloomington

Tote will be marked “Health Dept. Drop Off”

Central/South

333 E. Miller Dr., Bloomington

Monday-Friday from 8:00am – 4:30pm.

A tote will be between the double doors of the entryway.

Central/West

Bloomington Fire Department Logistics Warehouse 1607 W. Gray Street, Bloomington

Tote will be marked “Health Dept. Drop Off”

South

Monroe Fire Protection District # 21 9094 S. Strain Ridge Road, Bloomington

Tote will be marked “Health Dept. Drop Off”

A Health Department staff person will pick up and deliver masks as masks are dropped

If you have additional questions or are homebound and unable to drop off your masks, contact Christina Kempf at ckempf@co.monroe.in.us

Become involved with TechHeroes Bloomington

TechHeroes has taken root in Bloomington in the Bell Trace community from 1-3 p.m. on Sundays. 

The program offers technology assistance for seniors, including help with cellphones, tablets, Facebook, Skype and more!

An important goal of the program involves connection. The program helps youth and seniors connect in a respectful, caring and genuine way that has meaningful interaction and engagement.
 
TechHeroes connects the generations through tech tutoring. Young people are able to mentor seniors in how to use technology to do the things they want to do - connect through Facebook, watch online programs, use a mobile device, and much more!

Currently, TechHeros is working with Serve IT students and Boys and Girls Club members to become TechHeroes and develop the program.

Your skills are needed to support the program with development, including a Linux programmer to create a video call kiosk, social media, and tech tutoring.

Email Jenny Donegan Program Manager to learn more about opportunities jennydonegan@yahoo.com

Reimagining Opera for Kids (ROK) is a non-profit community arts and education organization based in Bloomington, IN.  It has twin goals: to introduce children to opera through engaging first experiences, and to give developing professional musicians the opportunity to hone their performance skills.  

Led by Jacobs School of Music faculty coach Kimberly Carballo, ROK is a community partner in service learning for Indiana University students.  The artists donate their preparation and performance time, and ROK provides free performances and curriculum guides to K-12 students.  

ROK has been enthusiastically received in many of the area elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as public libraries, home-school groups, hospitals, and community centers.  As cuts to education and the arts have increased, schools in particular are eager to take advantage of this opportunity for their students, which comes at no cost to the school system.

Volunteers make the FAR world go round! Here are a few ways to get involved and share your skills and time with us.

Volunteer with FAR
We are always open to groups who want to volunteer for special events or want to raise money as a group for FAR.

Be a FAR Ambassador
We are always on the lookout for professionals and community leaders who would be willing to promote our mission and help us with fundraising.

Attend an Event
FAR's biggest fundraiser is the annual Sip Savor Swing - A Night Out for Autism held September 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, IN.
If you would like to volunteer to be on an event planning committee or would like to explore sponsorship opportunities, please contact us.

Community Advisory Team
FAR currently serves children and families in nine Indiana counties. In order to best meet the needs of each community we serve our Community Action Teams help guide us and keep us connected to what’s most important for their community.

We need people to stock, set up, clean up and work during Food Pantry hours. 

To volunteer, please phone, email or stop by when the pantry is open: Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 pm.

*During bad weather, please call ahead to ask if the pantry will be open.

Singers and instrumentalists of all ages and levels are welcome to be teaching artists with Reimagining Opera for Kids. 

Rehearsals are generally Tuesday evenings, and performances are generally Fridays, throughout the school year. 

We are glad to be flexible with scheduling, according to your availability, and will help prepare you so that you feel ready to share these works that are specially commissioned and designed for our area children and youth!