Planning a stay-cation this Spring Break? Why not make it a week of giving back to your community?

For each day of Spring Break week, we offer one idea to volunteer with a local organization that partners with United Way of Central Iowa to improve the health, education and financial stability of all central Iowans. Not only will your family experience the fun of volunteering, but you could start a new tradition of giving back year-round. For all of the opportunities listed below, please contact the organization to confirm its needs and availability before you dive in. 

Monday: Organize a donation drive.

Gather items to give to local nonprofits serving central Iowa families. These organizations have specific requests for items that their clients need:

  • Bidwell Riverside Center is looking for toiletries, diapers, baby food, coats, blankets, and more to give to clients who live in poverty. Learn more.
  • Hawthorn Hill is looking for supplies from its wish list to give to the homeless families and children it serves. Learn more.
  • ChildServe is looking for DVDs and CDs that can be used when children are relaxing in their beds. Contact Kaylene to learn more. 

Tuesday: Make t-shirt bags.

Central Iowa Shelter & Services needs volunteers to help turn bulk t-shirt donations into reusable tote bags for clients to use when shopping in the food pantry or clothing closet. Learn more.

Wednesday: Prepare and serve a meal.

Organizations are seeking volunteers to provide food, cook, and serve meals. Schedule a time in advance.

  • Iowa Homeless Youth Center seeks volunteers to bring an evening meal to one of its transitional living programs or street outreach locations. Groups prepare the meals off site or on site and then serve the meal to 10-30 youth. Learn more or call Taylor at 515-883-2379, ext. 8614.
  • Hawthorn Hill seeks volunteers to provide milk and juice for the women and children staying at New Directions Shelter. Learn more.

Thursday: Gather your favorite books.

United Way's Stuff the Bus Book Drive helps build literacy skills with children who have limited access to books. Through April, you can drop off books to specific locations or the United Way office. The books will be gathered at an event on May 3 at Athene USA. Learn more.

Friday: Make tie blankets.

Purchase the supplies and make tie blankets that go to children served by the following nonprofits:

  • ChildServe is looking for volunteers to make blankets for the children it serves with special health care needs. Contact Kaylene to learn more.
  • Bidwell Riverside Center is looking for volunteers to make blankets for the children in its child development center. Contact Missy to learn more. 

Other ways to volunteer

Find more ways to volunteer in central Iowa through United Way of Central Iowa's volunteer database. We also offer many ongoing opportunities to participate in initiatives that better the lives of central Iowans.

 Volunteer Opportunities

Topics: Volunteer

Shirley Burgess

Written by Shirley Burgess

Shirley Burgess is the former Volunteer Engagement Officer for United Way of Central Iowa.

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA
1111 9TH ST  •  Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 246-6500   •   contactus@unitedwaydm.org

Need Help? Dial 2-1-1

211 Iowa - Get Connected, Get Help
 

 

 

Charity Navigator four star rated charity badgeUnited Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 18 straight years from Charity Navigator, an American independent charity watchdog organization that evaluates charitable organizations in the United States. This record places United Way of Central Iowa in the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Click the logo to review our complete evaluation.

candid-seal-platinum-2024United Way of Central Iowa has received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. The seal is given to nonprofits who have achieved the highest level of transparency through disclosures, information made available to the public, and accuracy and frequency of updates. Click the logo to learn more.

© 2024 United Way of Central Iowa. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy