4 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN MERIDIAN, IDAHO

The holidays have passed us by, but that doesn’t mean that the spirit of giving needs to. We have put together a list of four volunteer opportunities in and near Meridian, Idaho, that you can do to help our community year round.

1. MERIDIAN VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY- CANINE RESCUEThe Meridian Valley Humane Society is often looking for volunteers to help walk dogs, help with feeding and cleaning, taking dogs to and from veterinarian appointments, fostering, and helping with fundraising events. “Complete care of the animals at the Meridian Valley Humane Society is provided solely by the volunteers. Dedicated people are very much in need.” They ask that volunteers offer a minimum of six hours of their time a month, however they are flexible and willing to work with your schedule. To be an official volunteer you must be at least 16 years of age, but they offer ways for younger children to become involved as well.To become a volunteer, they ask that you please fill out the on line application. After you download the Volunteer form you can scan or email it to them meridianvalleyhumanesociety@gmail.com or mail or drop off at the Rescue at 191 N. Linder Road, Meridian, Idaho 83642. After your application has been approved, you will be contacted by a volunteer trainer with more information. Supply donations are also accepted if you want to help but cannot work it into your schedule.
2. MERIDIAN FOOD BANKThe Meridian Food Bank is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing emergency food aid to our neighbors in need. Our goal is to help anyone who is hungry and asks us for assistance; our ability to help is determined by the amount of food and money donated to us.” The success of the Meridian Food Bank depends on volunteers. They need people to help pick up and organize donations, help clients with paperwork, make food baskets, and more. If you are interested in volunteering, they have two forms that need to be filled out on their website.If you cannot volunteer your time, they also happily accept donations of nonperishable food items, fresh fruits and vegetables, personal care items and money. The Meridian Food Bank is a non-profit food pantry that is entirely staffed by volunteers. They depend on donations of both food and money to help provide for those in need. The money donated is used to purchase staples for food baskets when the donated food stocks are not sufficient to fill need. They are an IRS registered 501c3, so donations are tax-deductible. You can make monetary donations on-line or at their facility (133 W. Broadway Ave. Meridian, ID 83642) during hours of operation. Food donations can be dropped off at their facility or at any Meridian Fire Station or Library. “Every gift, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.”
3. BOISE RESCUE MISSION MINISTRIESSince 1958, Boise Rescue Mission Ministries has been restoring faith, hope and family across the Treasure Valley community. With four homeless shelters in Boise and Nampa , two shelters for women and children, and two shelters for men, Boise Rescue Mission Ministries is able to serve, minister to, and care for thousands of homeless individuals and families throughout Canyon and Ada counties.Boise Rescue Mission Ministries provide shelter, food, clothing, emergency services, addiction recover, veteran services, job-search assistance, mental health counseling, biblical counseling, case management, children’s programs, holiday assistance, and much more to people in need. They are looking for individual, family and group volunteers to help with things like serving meals, tutoring, helping at events, sorting clothing and food items in the warehouse, preparing meals, cleaning and grounds maintenance, childcare, and more.Boise Rescue Mission Ministries also accepts and appreciates donations. You can donate both money and items to them as well. They have a detailed list of things they need and ways you can help on their webpage.
4. IDAHO YOUTH RANCHThe Idaho Youth Ranch provides troubled children a bridge to a valued, responsible and productive future. The Idaho Youth Ranch offers so many ways to get involved! You could help with office projects or special mailings, donate your time to a youth service program, or go behind the scenes at our thrift stores to help create displays, sort and hang merchandise, and more. Helping the Idaho Youth Ranch ranges from “major cash donations, to memorial and honorary funds, to in-kind donations, to matching gifts, to monthly or yearly checks in the mail, to livestock, to resalable items for the thrift stores, to round-up donations on store purchases.All contributions play a critical role in making sure Idaho’s most vulnerable kids find the way to whole new worlds of hope and possibility. To view all the ways you can help Idaho’s troubled youth have a better tomorrow, take a look at their webpage.These are only a few of the many opportunities available to help out our community. Volunteermatch.org is a great resource in finding opportunities near you. You can look up opportunities that lean more towards your abilities and desires. The key to a great community is support. Let’s all do everything we can to help keep Meridian great year round.