February 26, 2025 | Volunteering

Greetings, Volunteers!

Are you as excited for Spring as we are? We are so excited for the snow to melt and the sun to come out! In the meantime, stay busy by volunteering with one of our partner organizations! Below you can find a list of new and ongoing volunteer opportunities for the month of March.

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. Then simply send confirmation of your volunteer hours to volunteer@garbagetogarden.org to receive credit.

Happy Composting,

We need your help! Join us to make Westbrook Winterfest low waste! 

Volunteers will take shifts to monitor compost bins, change out compost/trash/recycling/clynk bags as needed and keep the grounds tidy. Please email Bridget with your preferred shift time as well as your tee shirt size. The event takes place on Saturday March 1st from 10 am - 2 pm with a rain date of Sunday March 2nd.

Shifts:

9:30 am - 11:30 am

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Help out from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm to earn 2 months of free service!

Presente! Maine is a grassroots, mutual aid organization by and for displaced and dispossessed Afro/Indigenous-Latines in Maine. With their community, they codesign and implement survival programs that proactively address the most urgent public health, climate, and human rights struggles, while also working within systems of power to create a more equitable, joyful, and resilient future.

Their Despensa Solidaria - community food pantry - is held on the second & fourth Wednesday of each month at their office in Portland (795 Congress St. (former PelotonLabs building)). They distribute fresh, culturally relevant produce to their community at no cost. There are three shifts in which folks can volunteer:

- U-Haul/Produce Shift (9am-11am) - Pick up reserved U-Haul (411 Marginal Way, Portland) & head to Wayside Food Programs (135 Walton St, Portland). The entrance is at the rear of the building through the parking lot. Driver lets the warehouse manager know that they are picking up Presente’s food order then meets us at our office! 

- Warehouse Shift (11am-2pm) - Support them with the unloading & prepping of food & supplies for distribution!  

- Distribution Shift (4:30-7:30pm) - Support them with the physical distribution of food to community members! 

You can learn more & sign up here!

Volunteers play an important role in fulfilling their mission, from preparing and serving healthy meals to strengthening community partnerships to greeting each guest with a  smile. Each volunteer’s generous donation of time and skill allows MCHPP to work toward food security for everyone in our community. Read about their volunteer opportunities and sign up here!

3Rs believes that volunteers are VITAL to the success of their organization and their mission of providing the tools students need to be successful academically. Volunteer shifts are available Tue.-Thur. from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Fri. from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Email office@ruths.org to sign up!

Age Friendly Portland needs help maintaining and expanding the snow shoveling for seniors program. Each year, a growing number of older Portland homeowners (aged 65+) are seeking help with snow removal. In order to keep up with demand, additional volunteers are needed in all areas of the city. Volunteers are asked to shovel steps, walks, and sidewalks for an elderly neighbor.

Want to help but can't shovel? Become a Neighborhood Coordinator!

They are looking for individuals willing to coordinate volunteer matches within their own neighborhood. Volunteer coordinators are needed in the Back Cove, West End, Munjoy Hill, Deering Center, Nason's Corner, and North Deering neighborhoods. 

Contact Linda Weare at 207-541-6620 or email her at LSW@portlandmaine.gov to learn more!