Agency: United Way of Douglas County

Contact: Shelly Hornbaker at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or at 785-865-5030, ext. 301

The United Way of Douglas County brings community resources together to support a better life for residents by focusing on improvements in health, education, and financial stability. The United Way is looking for volunteers to assist with their BackSnack Brainfood program that provides books each week to students who qualify for the Harvesters’ BackSnack program. Michaels store has conducted a very successful book drive for the program and volunteers are needed to help sort the donated books by reading level. Scheduling for volunteering is very flexible and can be done as an individual or a group. For more information, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or at 785-865-5030, ext. 301.

Penn House provides assistance programs supporting food security, clothing assistance including professional clothing for women transitioning back into work, assistance with taxes, rent, utilities, prescriptions, school supplies, and holiday-related items. Penn House needs volunteers to help receive and sort donations of clothing and household goods. Donations need to be sorted and checked for quality. Volunteers are needed anytime 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Penn House will be happy to work with your schedule. For more information, please contact Wayne Briggs at ballardcenter.org or at 785-842-0440.

Just Food and its partners fight hunger in our community by increasing the availability of a variety of foods while reducing waste from discarded food. Just Food is hosting its fourth annual Food Truck Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday in the Warehouse Arts District. Many, many volunteers are still needed throughout the afternoon and evening to make the event successful. To participate in this fun volunteer event, please contact Aundrea Shafer at programs@justfoodks.org.

The Lawrence Humane Society nurtures the human-animal bond by providing shelter, care and advocacy for homeless and abused animals, as well as resources for the people and pets in our community. The Lawrence Humane Society will be holding its 3rd Annual Paw Valley Festival and 5K — Lawrence’s only dog-focused 5K and festival celebrating pets and the people who love them — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at South Park. Volunteers 18 years of age and older are needed for a variety of tasks including setup before the event starts, assisting during the event, and cleanup after the event. Please contact Jennifer Gormley at volunteer@lawrencehumane.org for more information.

The East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN) provides many services throughout our community including Community Food and Nutrition, FEMA, Head Start Program, Housing Choice Voucher Program, Housing Counseling and Rentals, Outreach and Referral, and Weatherization Program. ECKAN is seeking four volunteers to assist with its Community Action Resource Fair from 2 to 4 p.m. May 17 at Broken Arrow Park, 2800 Louisiana St. Tasks include setup, cleanup and facilitating families and adults with food, engagement activities, and other miscellaneous items. Please contact Patti Sergent at psergent@eckan.org or at 785-841-3357 for more information.

— For more volunteer opportunities, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 843-6626, ext. 301; at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org; or go to volunteerdouglascounty.org.