June 6, 2021 | Volunteering
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Greetings, Volunteers!
Can you believe it's July? We can't! We're so excited to (re)introduce some volunteer opportunities that have not been available to GTG volunteers recently due to the pandemic. This month you will find new opportunities to volunteer with the Locker Project, Wayside Food Programs, and Portland Parks Conservancy. Additionally, we are SO excited to be back at Thompson's Point for the State Theatre Summer Concert Series!
We are always looking for new volunteer opportunities to feature. If you know of any organizations that are currently looking for volunteers, please don't hesitate to reach out!
As always, to sign up for an event this month and receive a month of free Garbage to Garden service, RSVP by email, and we will help answer any questions you may have. Remember, events are first-come, first-serve.
Happy Composting,
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Help us bag compost!
Compost season is in full swing and we need all the help we can get to keep the bagged compost coming! We bag compost on Mondays and Wednesdays and can accomodate volunteers either day with minimal notice. Compost bagging starts around 9am. Spend 1.5 hours with us bagging compost in exchange for one month of free service!
Email Alex to schedule a time to come bag compost!
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State Theatre Summer Concert Series @ Thompson's Point
For five years, in an effort to minimize the waste generated at Thompson Point concerts, State Theatre has teamed up with Garbage to Garden to provide zero-waste sorting stations and a team to facilitate the sorting of compost, recycling, and trash at events.
Join a team of Garbage to Garden staff and volunteers to monitor waste stations and help concert-goers properly sort their waste and keep the venue tidy. Volunteers get free access to the show and a GtG t-shirt to wear at the event!
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Friday, July 30th
4:45pm-8:30pm/8:15pm-11pm
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Gleaning Opportunties!
Throughout the growing season, Cumberland County Food Security Council/Cumberland County Gleaning Initiative announce opportunities to help glean fresh produce on local farms to reduce food waste and make sure that this delicious local food makes it into hungry mouths!
You can register as a volunteer with them to be notified of these opportunities as they arise. If any of them strike your fancy, sign up with them and email us at volunteer@garbagetogarden.org to find out how to receive credit.
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Portland Parks Conservancy
The Portland Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit that works closely with the Portland Parks and Recreation Department to help connect people in Southern Maine to Portland's parks and public outdoor spaces.
Weeding at Trinity Park
Thursday, July 8th 10:00am
Wednesday, July 14th 5:00pm
Gardening at Amethyst Park
Saturday, July 17th 9:00am
Saturday, July 24th 9:00am
Canco Woods Clean Up
Thursday, July 22nd 12:00pm
Trolley Park Clean Up
Wednesday, July 28th 4:00pm
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The Locker Project
The Locker Project provides children and families at risk of hunger with reliable access to healthy food through partnerships with schools and other agencies.
Fresh food events will be held throughout the week in Portland and South Portland. Event volunteers help arrange produce on tables, then assist children and parents with bagging the foods they choose. You will be a welcoming presence, making sure people know that everyone is invited to take food home with them.
There are also opportunities to volunteer at the Locker Project in Scarborough, filling green bags with produce or purple bags with staple items.
If you are already a Locker Project volunteer, you can sign up on their sign up genius. If you've never volunteered before, you can sign up on their website here.
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Wayside Food Programs
Wayside Food Programs has a number of volunteer opportunities available:
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a senior food assistance program. Each month, Wayside collaborates with food pantries, community groups, places of worship, and local housing authorities to provide eligible aging adults with a free 30-pound box of food. In 2019, Wayside Food Programs shared food with 2,700 seniors each month in 3 counties. Volunteers will be riding in the Wayside van or truck and helping the drivers load donations.
2nd Tuesday of the month @ 11:30AM
2nd Wednesday of the month @2PM
3rd Thursday of the month @ 12PM-2:30PM
4th Monday of the month @ 12-2PM
Mobile Food Pantry
The Mobile Food Pantry is a great way to supplement monthly food budgets for people who may not have access to traditional food pantries. Visitors to the Mobile Food Pantry receive a pre-packed bag of non-perishables as well as fresh produce, meat, and bread as available. Volunteers will be helping drivers with checking names off of the check list, distributing food & supporting our partners.
1st Thursday of the month @ 11AM (Mobile Food Pantry): 2 volunteers
2nd Thursday of the month @ 10:30AM (Mobile Food Pantry): 2 volunteers
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Yarmouth Community Garden
The Yarmouth Community Garden is happily accepting volunteers this season, but we are asking volunteers to email us before they come to volunteer on our Saturday morning work days.
Volunteers are needed for prepping, planting, tending, weeding, watering, and harvesting in the community plot and in children’s garden throughout the season.
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Seeds of Hope
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center serves community meals for breakfast and lunch. They are also continuing to serve bagged meals at the door for those who do not wish to come inside.
They are in need of kindhearted volunteers to help us with the prep and distribution of food during our opening hours. Because of the virus, everyone inside must wear masks at all times, the only exception being when people are seated and eating/drinking. Additionally, everyone must maintain a 6ft distance to comply with social distancing guidelines.
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First Baptist Church of Portland Food Pantry
The First Baptist Church of Portland food pantry serves hundreds of individuals each month by collaborating with local fresh food sources and distributing to families in need. They welcome all who come to serve our neighbors in the Greater Portland area! FBC is currently looking for volunteers who have a heart for ensuring people have enough food to eat and are available on Wednesdays to organize and distribute food and/or break down and clean up. They are operating a 'no contact' food pantry for the safety of volunteers and patrons. Volunteers would be able to practice social distancing and be safe and healthy.
Wednesdays: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Location: 360 Canco Road, Portland, ME
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Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program
Brunswick, ME
Hungry neighbors in our community need your help to feed their families! Mid Coast Hunger Prevention has a number of initiatives that work to address food insecurity and volunteers place a vital role in fulfilling their mission by preparing meals, distributing groceries, picking up donated food and a variety of other tasks.
This month, MCHPP could use volunteers to sort food donations in the mornings from 8:30-11:30 Monday through Saturday or prepare lunch from 8:45-1:00.
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