Looking to volunteer over the holidays? Consider these metro area charities.
Bread for the City (Jessica Del Vecchio Photography).
BREAD FOR THE CITY
1525 7th St. NW,Washington, D.C. 20001 or 1640 Good Hope Rd. SE, Washington, D.C. 20020; 202-561- 8587; www.breadforthecity.org; info@ breadforthecity.org
Volunteer coordinator: Anna Tahtamouni
About: Founded in 1974, Bread for the City provides vulnerable Washington residents with food, medical care and legal and social services. Organizers say they serve more than 10,000 residents each month.
This year Bread for the City aims to feed 9,000 families during its Holiday Helpings Drive.
What to expect: Work in the food pantry, help clients check in and select food, clean produce, and assist with mailings.
Age requirements: 18 years or older, or at least 15 years if accompanied by an adult When to volunteer: Must be able to work one three-hour shift per week, either 9 a.m.- noon or 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (excluding Friday afternoons). No evening volunteer opportunities.
Volunteers must make a three- month commitment to a shift. Dress code: Comfortable, non- offensive clothing, i.
e. jeans, tees and sneakers.
CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK
645 Taylor St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20017; 202-526-5344; www. capitalareafoodbank.org
Volunteer coordinator: Michael Marcie and Nicole Durant
About: The Capital Area Food Bank says it provides food to more than 478,000 people annually. Since 1980 it has been working to educate the community on the benefits of a healthy diet while advocating for public policies for healthier communities.
What to expect: Packing and sorting food, working on the shopping floor and other tasks. Age requirements: 12 years or older. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
When to volunteer: Tues.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.–4 p.m. First Sunday of the month: 9 a.m.– noon or 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Fourth Wednesday of the month: 6:30 p.
m.–8:30 p.m.
Dress code: Weather-appropriate clothing you don’t mind getting dirty in and closed-toed shoes.
COMMON GOOD CITY FARM
V St. NW, between 2nd and 4th streets NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; 202-559-7513; www.commongoodcityfarm.org; info@ commongoodcityfarm.org
Volunteer coordinator: Olivia Ivey
About: Since 2007, this half-acre urban farm and education center in LeDroit Park has taught over 1,000 Washington residents and 1,500 school children. Last year the farm provided more than 6,000 servings of vegetables to low-income families in the area.
What to expect: Planting, weeding, harvesting. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather.
Age requirements: Any, but youth must be accompanied by an adult When to volunteer: Mon.: 9 a.m.- noon;Tues.: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.;Thurs.: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.: 9 a.m.-noon; Sat.: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Sun.: 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Dress code: Anything that can take a little dirt
DC CENTRAL KITCHEN
425 2nd St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; 202-234-0707; dccentralkitchen.org; info@ dccentralkitchen.org
About: D.C. Central Kitchen provides breakfast as well as counseling services and outreach to the homeless. It recycles 3,000 pounds of food daily, turning out 4,500 meals that are distributed throughout Washington. The affiliated catering company offers culinary job training.
What to expect: Chopping, sorting and vacuum-sealing fresh produce from local farms, mixing salads, portioning meals, baking and sorting cans
Age requirements: 12 years and up When to volunteer: 9 a.m.-noon seven days a week. Co-op shift on Mon.,Thurs. and Fri.: 5 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Dress code: Long pants, closed- toed shoes and a hat or head covering in the kitchen. No pajamas, spandex, tank tops or midriff shirts.
Volunteers at DC Central Kitchen (Photo Courtesy DC Central Kitchen).
(Photo Courtesy Common Good City Farm).
