Best Volunteer Opportunities Around Cincinnati to Get Into the Holiday Spirit

Get into the spirit of the holiday season by giving back to the Greater Cincinnati community. Need some inspiration? Here are several volunteer opportunities for residents of our Springs at West Chester and Springs at Liberty Township apartments to consider:

1. Freestore Foodbank
112 E Liberty St, Cincinnati
513.482.7550

For nearly 40 years, the Freestore Foodbank has been distributing food to local Cincinnati families in need. The organization is part of the Feeding America network and distributes more than 24 million meals annually. For every dollar donated to the Freestore Foodbank, the organization is able to supply three meals to hungry children and families.

Volunteers are needed daily (especially during the busy holiday season) to pack Power Packs and Senior Boxes for the youngest and oldest members of our community. Other opportunities to volunteer include sorting food donations, working at the food pantry and planting and harvesting crops at the farm.

2. Crossroads Church
42 Calhoun St, Cincinnati
513.731.7400

Want to make this year's holiday season one to remember for a child in need? Each year Crossroads Church receives a wishlist from local children in need, and members of the community can sign up to purchase a special gift from a child's list. The church will deliver the donated gifts to the children and caregivers just in time for the holidays.

Crossroads Church also welcomes donations of gently used clothing, household items, books and more. As you clean out your apartment in preparation for holiday visitors, consider donating like-new and gently used items that you no longer use to this non-profit organization.

3. Reach Out Lakota
6561 Station Rd, West Chester
513.779.7515

This non-profit organization was started 25 years ago to help families in need in West Chester and Liberty Township. In addition to providing food and clothing assistance to local families, Reach Out Lakota enlists the help of volunteers to assist with Thanksgiving baskets, the Adopt-a-Child Christmas program and a Back-to-School program. Since its inception, Reach Out Lakota has helped more than 2,500 families in need in the community.

Currently, the organization is looking for volunteers to assist with the distribution of Thanksgiving baskets. If you would like to help, please email Food Pantry Coordinator Tim Harmon at timharmon@reachoutlakota.org.

4. Habitat for Humanity
4910 Para Dr, Cincinnati
513.621.4147

Want to get your family involved in volunteering this holiday season? Get your hands dirty and build a house for Habitat for Humanity. This organization builds decent, affordable homes for Cincinnati families in need and does not charge a profit. The homeowners are then given an interest-free mortgage (through donations to Habitat for Humanity). Through the homebuilding process, volunteers get to work alongside the future homeowners to make their dream of home ownership a reality. Contact the Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity office to find a local project near your apartment.

What are your favorite ways to volunteer during the holidays around Cincinnati? Please leave your suggestions in our comments section below.