Agency: Just Food

Contact: Elizabeth Keever ekeever@justfoodks.org or at 856-7030

Just Food serves as the Douglas County food bank for more than 30 partner agencies. Want to attend an exciting new event to Lawrence and volunteer for a great cause? Located in the Warehouse Arts District, the Kansas Food Truck Festival is a celebration of food, music, art and community. Volunteers are needed for this fun event on May 10 for a variety of tasks from setup, helping with parking and traffic, ticket sales and activity helpers. This is a great group or family volunteer opportunity. For more information and to sign up for a shift, please go to http://justfoodks.org/banners/food-truck-fest-sign-up.

Lawrence Parks and Recreation has several fun volunteer opportunities available to help with planting flowers in South Park and downtown on several dates in May. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves. All other materials will be provided. This is a great group or family volunteer opportunity. For more information, specific dates and times, and to sign up, please go to https://www.lawrenceks.org/lprd/flowerplanting to volunteer.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is the organization’s national signature, overnight fundraising activity. Teams of eight to 15 members gather to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. The event, being held at the Free State High School Track at 4700 Overland Drive, on June 13, raises awareness about the progress against cancer while also raising funds to fight the disease. Able-bodied teenagers and adults are needed to assist with a variety of tasks before, during, and at the conclusion of the event, starting on Friday, June 13th, 8 a.m. through 7 p.m. For additional information, please email DouglasCountyRFL@gmail.com.

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that will allow you to spend time in a beautiful country setting, CLO’s Midnight Farm may be a great fit! The Farm offers children and adults with special needs opportunities for country living, work, and recreation. Volunteers are needed to serve as “sidewalkers” during therapeutic horseback riding lessons for adults and children with disabilities. Sidewalkers make sure that the rider is prepared for class and then walk next to them, alongside the horse, during class. Volunteers are needed for daytime hours, now, and into the summer months. Please contact Brett Bauer at brettbauer@clokan.org or 785-979-1889.

The Willow Domestic Violence Center is a proud new member of the City of Lawrence’s Common Ground Program. The Willow is getting ready to break ground on a community garden to grow fresh vegetables and herbs for the individuals and families with which they work in our community. A garden manager is needed two to eight hours a week during the summer to perform a variety of duties including: recruiting and managing volunteers, program development, social media opportunities, tending the garden, adhering to organic gardening practices, monitoring our compost bin, and harvesting produce. If you like getting your hands dirty, spending time outside, and working with others, this opportunity is for you! Contact Kristine Chapman, at kchapman@willowdvcenter.org for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County provides one-to-one relationships for children facing adversity. Are you looking to make a difference in the life of a young boy in our community? For a few hours, a couple times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship. A sweet and energetic 5-year-old boy is excited to spend time with a Big Brother, Big Couple or a Big Family. This adventurous and cool little guy will be up to most any activity you present to him. He loves skateboards, music, movies, games and playing outdoors. To make a difference in the life of this young man, please contact Stacie Salverson-Schroeder at 785-843-7359, ext 112, or at sschroeder@ksbbbs.org.

The United Way of Douglas County needs assistance with a small landscaping maintenance project at its building at 2518 Ridge Court. The task involves trimming several large shrubs and cleaning and disposing of the debris. Necessary tools will be provided. For more information, please contact Peggy Beecher at uwcenter@unitedwaydgco.org or at 843-6626.

For more volunteer opportunities, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 785-865-5030 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.