Agency: Just Food

Contact: Elizabeth Stephens at estephens@justfoodks.org or at 785-856-7030

Every year, Just Food hangs the bows and garlands on the meter posts in downtown Lawrence and in return receives a donation from Downtown Lawrence Inc. Join Just Food in bringing the holidays to downtown by helping in this fundraiser for Just Food. Your help is needed from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Volunteers will meet at Fuzzy’s Tacos at 1115 Massachusetts St. Additional ladders are needed. Contact Elizabeth Stephens for more details at estephens@justfoodks.org or at 785-856-7030.

Prepare and serve Thanksgiving dinner

The annual Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen Thanksgiving dinner is scheduled for Nov. 23 at the LINK meal site in the basement of First Christian Church, 221 W. 10th St. Meals will also be delivered to community members who cannot travel. LINK is looking for volunteers to help prepare and deliver the holiday feast.

Volunteers are needed for the following tasks:

• Receive donated food and begin assembling meals for home delivery at Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire St.: Nov. 22, 2-6 p.m.

• Package meals for home delivery and clean up prep area at Maceli’s: Nov 23, 10 a.m.-noon.

• Deliver meals: Nov. 23, 11:15 a.m.

• Set up, serve, and clean up the meal at the LINK meal site: Nov. 23, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Deb Engstrom (785-218-9347) will accept calls and emails (deb5550@att.net) from those wanting to volunteer and/or donate food.

Ring the bells

The Salvation Army needs bell ringers for its annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. Two-hour shifts begin on Nov. 22 and run Mondays through Saturdays. Volunteers can contact Jim Evers at jim_evers@usc.salvationarmy.org or at 785-764-0962 or sign up online at www.ringbells.org.

Harvest Feast

Just Food is hosting its first annual Harvest Feast on Nov. 17. The evening will celebrate the success of Just Food and its programs that help thousands in our community become more self-sufficient. Additionally, the event will help raise money for Thanksgiving meals for families in need in our community. Many volunteers are needed to help make the event a success. Volunteers are needed for setup (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), game zone (6-9 p.m.), silent auction (6-9:30 p.m.), restaurant attendant (6-9 p.m.), guest attendant (6-9 p.m.), and cleanup (8 p.m.-midnight). To volunteer, go to Harvest Feast Volunteer Sign-up or contact Just Food at 856-7030.

Gingerbread House Festival

Take part in the fun of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Gingerbread House Festival and Auction on Dec 2, 3, and 8. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate as house builders. Gingerbread builder applications are available at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office. You can also complete an application online at www.gingerbreadauction.com. If design and construction are not your passion, volunteer at the viewing weekend or the live auction of gingerbread houses. All proceeds raised from this event go to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lawrence. Volunteers are needed on Dec 2, 3 and 8 for various shifts and tasks. Volunteer sign up can be completed at http://signup.com/go/UuOYZDe. Contact Aubrey at ajacobs@kansasbigs.org for more information.

Be a Big

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 or girl in our community? For a few hours, a couple times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship. Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking a Big Brother for Phillip. Phillip is very creative and loves to play with Legos and build things. His favorite subject is science and he wants to be a scientist when he grows up. He has four siblings and wants to have a Big so he can spend time with someone one-on-one playing games and learning about new things. If you have a few hours to be a volunteer, this is your opportunity to make a difference in the life of a youngster. For more information, contact Mark Gordy at 785-843-7359.

More holiday opportunities

For a comprehensive list of holiday-related volunteer opportunities, go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org and click on “How to Help for the Holidays.”

— For more volunteer opportunities, go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org or contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 785-865-5030, ext. 301 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org.