Helpful Holiday Giving: Where to Volunteer in Fort Worth, Texas

There are many places throughout the Fort Worth, Texas area in need of volunteers. This is especially true during the holiday season. In fact, one of the best things a person can give, at any time of year, is their time. As the United Way says, "Give the gift of you. Volunteer." Below are several organizations in our area that would welcome your gift of giving during this holiday season.

Community Storehouse
4574 Keller-Hicks Road, Keller, Texas 76248
http://www.communitystorehouse.org/
Phone: 817-431-3340

Having volunteered for this non-profit organization in the past, I can honestly say that Barbara Board, the Community Storehouse Executive Director, works tirelessly to ensure the special needs of Tarrant County families are met. One way to help the Community Storehouse during the holidays is to donate food or toys to their Holiday House. More information can be found at http://www.communitystorehouse.org/programs_events/holidayhouse.shtml. The following true story, from their website, tells how a whole community came together to make the holidays better for a family in need:

A Christmas Eve Delivery

Just before Christmas, a call came in to Community Storehouse. A neighbor had lost his life in a car wreck, and he was survived by his wife, Mary and 2 small children. We learned that Mary didn't have any family here but that she was trying to manage this crisis on her own. Mary's neighbors were trying to help but Mary needed things they couldn't provide. With the support of her neighbors, Mary came to the Community Storehouse. A case manager helped Mary sort through what needed to be done, what resources she had, and where we could help. Mary left our office with a plan and support. She was so grateful!

The Keller Police and Fire Department were affected by Mary's crisis and decided to help Mary as well. They arranged to pick up toys, food and Christmas Dinner from Community Storehouse and deliver the gifts to Mary and her children on Christmas Eve. To the family's surprise, a very special Christmas Eve delivery was made by way of a fire truck, sirens and Santa.

Tarrant Area Food Bank
2600 Cullen Street Fort Worth, TX 76107-1302
http://www.tafb.org/
Phone: 817-332-9177

The Tarrant Area Food Bank is in need of volunteers and food donations during the holidays and throughout the year. According to their website, the area they serve encompasses thirteen counties in north central Texas which is an area larger than the state of Vermont. Following are "Fast Facts" provided by the Tarrant Area Food Bank:

- A $1 donation helps them provide enough donated food for 4 meals.
- Volunteers provided nearly 50,000 hours of work at the food bank in 2007-08
- The Tarrant Area Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger- relief group.

Making a donation or giving your time will help this non-profit organization provide holiday meals to the many people in need in their extensive coverage area.

United Way of Tarrant County
1500 N. Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76164
http://www.unitedwaytarrant.org/
Phone: 817-258-8000

Thousands of employees in our area are familiar with the United Way through their workplace. Many have contributed to this non-profit through payroll deductions. However, there are other ways to donate your time as well. 2-1-1, a help line number in Texas, known well by volunteers throughout the metroplex, is the United Way's information and referral service. Volunteers with this service can work closely with professionals to ensure callers to this number receive the help they need.

Another way to help, as a group, during the holidays, is to participate through the United Way's "Days of Caring" program. Their Tarrant County website describes the Days of Caring program as "a way for groups to do short-term community service projects for nonprofit agencies and other organizations involved in specific United Way initiatives. Using its relationship with dozens of organizations, United Way matches volunteer groups with projects that fit their skills and interests. United Way acts as the project facilitator and liaison between the benefiting organization and the volunteer group."

These are only a few non-profits in the Fort Worth area that would appreciate your help. No matter where, or how, you decide to give this holiday season, your efforts may go a long way in making this time of year a happier one for those in need.