By Amanda Munro Staff Writer munroa15@up.edu
Are you bored? Stressed? Partied out? Searching for meaning? If you're looking for something fun to do that leaves you feeling fulfilled this holiday season, one of the best things you can do is volunteer. There is nothing more satisfying and rejuvenating than making an impact in the lives of other people. Luckily for University of Portland students, North Portland is a diverse neighborhood with plenty of local volunteer opportunities for every area of interest and availability. Volunteering doesn't mean dedicating your life to an organization, either; most of the opportunities listed here will only take a couple hours of your time, and many allow you to volunteer as a group! So get a couple friends together, break free of the UP bubble, and donate some much-needed time to great causes close to campus. It feels good to be involved in the community!
Oregon Food Bank
Oregon Food Bank is working to eliminate hunger in Oregon by taking food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to low-income families in the community. Volunteers can help by repacking food for distribution, teaching classes on nutrition and cooking, or working in community gardens. The fast-paced food packing environment is a lot of fun with friends as well as individually, and volunteers are often surprised by how much they get done in such a short time. Plus, it's just a bus ride on the 75 from campus!
Regence Boys and Girls Club
A little more than a mile from UP, the Boys and Girls club is a place for North Portland kids to make art, play games, get help with homework and eat a nutritious meal after school. Volunteers can help out depending on their interests in departments that range from art to fitness to education, with age groups ranging from 6-11 and 12-18. After-school programs run weekdays from 2:15 p.m. to approximately 7:00 p.m.
Friends of Trees
Planting trees in urban areas can benefit a community by cleaning the air, reducing storm runoff and energy costs, and increasing property value. Friends of Trees has planted over 450,000 trees in 23 years through weekly tree-plantings, and they're always looking for volunteers to plant more! Every Saturday, you can volunteer to plant trees from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and lunch is included. What's not to like?
Roosevelt High School
Roosevelt High School is the most ethnically diverse neighborhood high school in Oregon, and it is also the poorest. 84 percent of students receive a free or reduced lunch, and many struggle to complete their education due to a lack of resources. Roosevelt is also less than two miles from UP, just ten minutes by bike. Volunteers can make a significant impact in the lives and success rates of students at Roosevelt by tutoring a multitude of subjects or working in the writing center helping with papers, assignments or college applications.
