By Ali Richardson, Staff Writer
Abilene has a variety of opportunities of places where you can volunteer. There are many different organizations that provide services to the community of Abilene. Whether you’re looking for a way to get involved in the community or you need service hours, here are some great places where you can get involved.
The Alliance for Women and Children provides quality programs to empower all women and children by educating and assisting women to be health conscious and self-sufficient and providing a nurturing and safe environment for school aged children. They have some different opportunities to work within their organization. These include doing after school care which requires one to help tutor kids and doing activities with them. In addition to this, they also take volunteers for their fundraising events or marketing team. Contact info: (325)-677-5321/ info@afwconline.org
The Food Bank of West Central Texas is a nonprofit that provides food to people in need in the community. Volunteering here requires one to sort and pack the food throughout the week. Their hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekdays. The Food Bank also helps distribute to other local food pantries. You can contact them for more information on other events or volunteer opportunities. Contact info: (325)695-6311/ inquiries@fbwct.org
Hendrick Health System Volunteer services provides help to families, visitors and patients of Hendrick Medical Center. Volunteers help to aid in the happiness, comfort and care of the people at Hendrick Medical Center. There are many different areas at the medical center where one can help, an example would be the hospice center. For more information on what volunteering would look like at Hendrick Medical Center, you can contact them at (325) 670-2317.
The International Rescue Committee is a group that helps people rebuild their lives. They specifically work with people who are refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture and other immigrants. Most of their volunteer positions require a three month commitment with five hours each week. There are many different opportunities to help out the people, from being an office, youth, occasional, general or group volunteer or mentor. For more information you can contact, (325) 675-5643/ jen.rogers@rescue.org
Meals on Wheels is an organization that helps provide hot meals to the elderly and those who cannot access nutritious meals for themselves. Meals on Wheels has a couple different opportunities for people to volunteer. They need drivers to deliver the meals, buying food and also photographing the process. They serve about 1,250 elderly and disabled adults in the Abilene area and also Runnells County, with about 700 volunteers delivering these meals. Contact info: (325) 672-5050/volunteer@mealsonwheelsplus.com
Abilene has more opportunities for volunteering, and these are just a few. Whether you need hours in the community, or are looking to get involved in something, look into some of these volunteer opportunities!