Community Service Opportunities (Local)

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House has two locations in Saint Louis. They provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill patients. While the child is in the hospital or receiving treatment, their families can stay (for free) at the Ronald McDonald House. Ronald McDonald House Charities also provides a Ronald McDonald Family Room which brings all the benefits of the Ronald McDonald House to the hospital itself. Through Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, they bring low-cost medical care to areas of the world that are in need.

How can you help them? You can always donate or collect money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (they have a collection container at EVERY McDonald’s restaurant. You can also collect soda can tops. Pull the tab off the top of the can, turn them in to Ronald McDonald House and they recycle them and keep the profits. A third way of donating is with your time. You can volunteer to cook for the families. Often small groups of people (4-8 people) will volunteer together and make breakfast, dinner, or just a sweet treat. You buy the supplies, use their kitchen to make the food, and have fun with friends all at the same time. Here is the national website for more information.

Saint Louis Area Foodbank

Saint Louis Area Foodbank is a member of America’s Second Harvest, a group that is trying to eliminate hunger in the United States and abroad. They distribute food to those that need it most. They do not cook the food, they accept donations, repackage them, distribute those packages to other locations that actually hand them out to families.

How can you help? You can make your on donation of food or money, help collect donations, or vounteer your time to repackage the food for distribution. They may have an age restriction on volunteers to repackage. Click here to visit their website.

Another similar program is Operation Food Search. This program actually drives the food to the families in need. There are many ways to volunteer, but most have age restrictions. The best way to help would be to donate food, collect food, or even arrange your own food drive!! Click here to visit their website.

Beyond Housing

Beyond Housing helps to create strong neighborhoods by creating low-cost housing and helping families afford houses to live in. Furthermore, they help to develop other neighborhoods by building playgrounds, parks, and doing neighborhood beautification.

Beyond Housing can always use volunteers in the areas of child care, yard work, special events, and supply drives. Click on over to their website to find out more!

Saint Louis County Parks and Recreation

StL County Parks and recreation build and maintain the 45+ properties under their management. These properties include Lone Elk, Creve Coeur Lake, Faust Park, and many others great places. Many of us enjoy these parks regularly, but never really think about the work it takes to maintain them and keep them in such great condition.

How can you help? The Parks and Recreation Department can always use help. Volunteer Opportunities include activities like building paths, beautifying gardens, promoting trail safety and working to just positively impact the environment. Click here to reach their volunteer website.

Neighborhood Houses

Neighborhood Houses is a group whose mission is to strengthen children, families, and communities through neighborhood centered, character building, life-changing programs that help create hope, health, and independence. Their list of activities includes after-school programs, summer camps, thrift stores and food pantries.

How can you get involved? Volunteer opportunities within Neighborhood Houses are many and include working at the thrift store and food pantries. You can find out the many other ways to help by clicking here.