Giving Back: Explore These Volunteer Opportunities to Help Our Community

Posted on April 6, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole

Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month?

And since springtime represents fresh starts, new beginnings, and growth, it is a great time to consider adding volunteering to your routine. You can freshen up your schedule, make new connections, and grow as a human. How cool is that?

In the Spokane area, there are many fantastic opportunities for aspiring volunteers (a bunch shared below).

To start, I recommend considering what you enjoy doing and what you are passionate about. Next, consider how you’re able to volunteer. Are you interested in one-time events, ongoing shifts, or at-home volunteer activities? And then apply to volunteer where those things align.

I’ve compiled volunteering ideas into lists that may spark your interest and created a booklist for motivation!

Outdoor Opportunities

Do you enjoy getting your hands literally dirty to help the planet? If you enjoy digging in the dirt and being out in nature, check out these volunteer opportunities.

• City of Spokane Parks and Recreation
• Washington State Parks
• The Lands Council

Food-Related Opportunities

Do you desire to help feed under-supported communities? If helping eradicate food insecurity is important to you, check out the following organizations.

• 2nd Harvest Food Bank
• Meals on Wheels, Greater Spokane County
• Our Place Community Outreach
• Growing Neighbors
• Spokane Valley Partners

Volunteering for STEAM

Are you into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)? Are you a creator or artist? Help others and share your passion at the same time.

• Spokane Arts
• Art Salvage
• Spark Central
• Spokane Civic Theatre

Volunteering for Animals

Do you love animals (maybe more than humans)? If you’re the type of person who wants to adopt every stray you see or who wants to hug everyone’s pet no matter the species, then these opportunities may be perfect for you.

• SCRAPS
• Humane Society
• Partners for Pets
• Cat Tails Wildlife Center  

Volunteering for Social Justice

Are you passionate about social justice issues? Then one of these organizations may be a fit for you.

• If You Could Save Just One
• YWCA Spokane’s Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) Committee
• The Carl Maxey Center
• Spokane Community Against Racism
• Peer Spokane
• Spectrum Spokane
• Spokane Pride
• Smart Justice Spokane

Flex Your Volunteer Muscles

Are you handy with a hammer? How about lifting and carrying heavy things? You can put your muscles to work while helping others.

• Habitat for Humanity
• Global Neighborhood Thrift

Fashionable Volunteering

Do you have a knack for style? Check out these volunteer opportunities.

• Our Sisters Closet (YWCA Spokane)
• The ARC Spokane (Several opportunities)
• Teen & Kid Closet

Opportunities for Families & Teens

It can be challenging to find volunteer opportunities for kids under 16 years old. Some places allow for younger kids to volunteer as long as an adult stays with them. Here are some opportunities for families and teens.

• Learn2be
• Humane Society
• 2nd Harvest
• Teen & Kid Closet

Other Ways to Contribute

If you’re uncertain about how to help and stay motivated while volunteering, check out all of the volunteer opportunities in Spokane for inspiration.

And if you can’t fit regular long-term volunteering into your routine, here are a few examples of ways you can help out informally:

• Collect or make toys to donate to an animal shelter.
• Keep trash bags in your car and pick up trash whenever you’re out at a park or on a hiking trail.
• Become a citizen scientist to turn your curiosity into impact.
• Build a Little Free Pantry for nonperishable food and put it up in your front yard or neighborhood to help your neighbors.
• Collect and donate clothes and/or toys in good condition to places such as the Teen & Kid Closet.
• Donate food to a local food bank.

Books for Motivation

Here are some great books about volunteering, with lots of ways to incorporate volunteering into your life.

• Just Help! How to Build a Better World, by Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Angela Dominguez
• Rescuing Penny Jane: One Shelter Volunteer, Countless Dogs, and the Quest to Find Them All Homes, by Amy Sutherland
• Travel with Purpose: A Field Guide to Voluntourism, by Jeff Blumenfeld
• Volunteer: A Traveller’s Guide to Making a Difference Around the World, by Lonely Planet Publications
• Citizen Science: How Ordinary People Are Changing the Face of Discovery, by Caren Cooper
• Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime, by Bill Gates, Sr., with Mary Ann Mackin

And if you’re still not sure about where to give your time and expertise, you might want to check out the volunteer opportunities with our libraries. You could help kids by being a Reading Buddy. Visit our Volunteer web page to learn more.

There are endless chances for you to fulfill your desire to help others. If you’re not sure if something you’re enthusiastic about has any volunteer possibilities, just ask! Even if an organization doesn’t list volunteering on their website, you can ask to speak to a manager to learn more. Maybe something amazing will come from it!

Tags: adults, booklists, community, food, parents, teens, volunteer, volunteering