6 Ways to Give Back through Volunteering

by MHSjennie on December 14, 2015

I have been on a mission to find places that allow kids to volunteer because as much as I like to volunteer myself, I really want to do it as a family and teach my kids to be grateful for what they have and to always give back. These are a few of the places I have researched and so I wanted to share they with you. I will be sure to post about other opportunities as I find them. 

Volunteering

Matthew 25 Ministries

  • No age requirement for volunteering so kid friendly!
  • Main jobs are sorting and inspecting goods
  • Walk-ins M-f 9-4. M-TH 4:30-7:30. Saturday 1-3. I love that they offer walk-ins because being a mom of 3 young boys, I don’t always know how our weeks are going to go! 

The Schuh Center at St. Susanna’s in Mason

This is a great small non-profit that does amazing things for those in need in the community.

  • They take donations of used items
  • They have a huge list of things you can do at home with the kids and then drop off at the center for families in need to choose from. What I love about this is that you can pick a new thing each month to do and it is super easy and a great way to get the kids involved. It is wonderful for us mamas with littles because you can do it from home, around nap time and when it is convenient for you! We have done a birthday bag (which we decided to do on each family members birthday month) and made a blanket which is just the tie kind (so fairly simple) and Cody was really enjoyed that! 
  • PB&J Ministry. This is such a great idea to do with the kids. They offer this every Sunday and you just sit around making PB&J’s for those in need. They are then delivered downtown to the Canticle Café on Monday mornings.  There they are then repackaged to distribute to people standing in line to get a day job at one of the two work warehouses. Super simple, yet a great way to talk to your kids about those who aren’t as fortunate to have endless amounts of food in the pantry. 

The Children Are Waiting/ A Child’s Hope International

  • You have to be 5 years old and up to volunteer.  They have babysitting for your smaller kids if that is something you are interested in. 
  • They have you pack food to send to kids in need in other countries.
  • You get to taste the food you are sending out and go on a tour of the facility

Healing Center Cincinnati

  • Adults only. They do offer a childcare area for kids with baby-sitting.
  • They have many opportunities for you to volunteer and will train you in the specific area chosen

Mason Food Pantry

  • Great for adults and teens, but not kid friendly
  • Drivers, Packing/ unpacking food for those in need

Ronald McDonald House

  • Great for kid and adults to volunteer! 
  • There are SO many great opportunities for you to get involved: You can put on crafts, game nights, serve dinner, snacks, ice cream social, pretzel bar and really any idea you can come up with to do for the families they are willing to have you! I have served two dinners there and it has really brought me a lot of enjoyment. I want to take the kids and put on an ice cream social because I think it would be easy for them to scoop the ice-cream, help with sprinkles, serving etc. You do have to be prepared that you many only get a few people as many of them are in and out of the hospital, but even if you get one person that you can bring joy to in that time it would be worth it!! 

Ronald McDonald House

For those of you who aren’t local to Cincinnati, start with a church! Even if you don’t have a home church, any church would love to have your help so find one close to you and see what they have on the calendar! I am sure they can point you to other local places who could use your help.

 

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