Bend Volunteer Opportunities
This is a collection of service organizations that provide opportunities for volunteers. The information was collected from the organizations and summarized. There are also links to each of the organizations’ websites.
Some organizations require background checks. Generally, a background check takes 7-10 days and costs a fee of $33 plus fingerprinting from a law enforcement agency. Depending on the service organization, a criminal record does not always disqualify you from volunteering. See https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/cjis/pages/cch.aspx for background check details. Working with children requires a more extensive background check.
https://shepherdshouseministries.org/
SHM is a faith-based non-profit providing a variety of services and volunteer opportunities. They are not affiliated with a church and they do not proselytize.
SHM runs low barrier shelters and men’s and women’s long term recovery centers; they serve meals; they operate the Shepherd’s House Aid and Relief Effort (SHARE) van to provide outreach to people living on China Hat, Juniper Ridge, and elsewhere. They operate a shower truck that visits several locations, they manage the Navigation Center where people can come indoors during the day, get meals, clothing, and supplies, and meet with case managers who connect them with a wide variety of services.
There are opportunities for individuals, groups and youth during daytime, evenings, and weekends.
Mobile Outreach:
Ride along, connecting and building relationships
Restock and organization
Distribution of essential items
Drivers
Shelter Services:
Foodservice
Connecting and building relationships
Donation sorting and distribution
Driver: foodservice and laundry
Long-term Program:
Foodservice
Donation Processing
Teach/mentor/resident support
Administration:
Community communication
Event planning
Administrative opportunities
https://shepherdshouseministries.org/volunteer/
On the volunteer website, create a profile and then select an orientation date. Orientations are every Tuesday and alternate between our Development Office on Revere Ave in Bend and the Redmond Center.
COVO is a non-profit corporation that provides basic necessities for homeless veterans and others in need. They also run the Veterans Village and provide housing assistance for veterans.
COVO has a wide variety of opportunities. When you contact them, they will find an area you where you are comfortable and can contribute. Some of the activities are:
Typing, filing, phones
Greeting
Project management
Outreach
Working indoors or out
https://covo-us.org/volunteer/
Download and email an application found on their website. Their volunteer coordinator will call you and arrange for an interview. He will work with you to determine how you can help, how often, and what times. A background check is required.
BI is a high barrier shelter and provides meals and case management.
Preparing meals
Serving meals
Prepare baked goods or freezer meals from home
Front desk
Admin help
Working in the clothing room
Shifts are at various times and days.
UUFCO does the dinner the 4th Thursday of each month. If you are volunteering as part of the UUFCO team, use this link:
You can then join others from UUFCO at Bethlehem Inn at the scheduled time.
If you are not a part of the UUFCO team, use this link:
https://bethleheminn.org/volunteer/
Register for a tour and orientation of Bethlehem Inn. After orientation, volunteers sign up online for tasks and times.
https://www.neighborimpact.org/
Neighbor Impact is the largest private non-profit in Central Oregon. They started almost 40 years ago. They provide a large variety of services for all income levels, including food, shelter, housing assistance, education, child care, loans, energy assistance, and more.
Food packing
Food delivery
Other opportunities if you want more responsibility, have skills you can contribute, etc.
https://www.neighborimpact.org/give-help/volunteer/
NI has an online orientation presentation that tells you all the details about the organization, the opportunities, and expectations.
After viewing the orientation, reading the online volunteer handbook, and signing some release forms, you may sign up online for food packing or delivery. Other opportunities are available by emailing their volunteer coordinator.
https://stvincentdepaulbend.org/
SVdP is a private nonprofit that has been serving Bend for over 40 years. They provide food boxes, utility and prescription assistance, and transitional housing.
Interview clients to assess their needs
Receptionist
Pantry workers
https://stvincentdepaulbend.org/volunteer/
SVdP has an extensive description of volunteer processes and expectations at this link:
Volunteer Policies and Procedures
A summary: you arrange for an interview and tour, you fill out an application and sign a confidentiality agreement, then work a “try out” 4 hour shift. You complete initial volunteer training, and have additional training every 3 months. You commit to working for 3 months, working about 40 hours during that 3 months. You sign up online for job and shift. A background check is required.
https://cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org/
CYFC is a non-profit that provides shelter and programs for runaway and homeless youth in Central Oregon.
A wide variety of activities depending on the skills and experience of the volunteer.
Teaching
Counseling
Deliveries
Etc.
https://cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Send email for a volunteer application. CYFC will send you a volunteer packet that provides information, and asks for you to complete several things such as a non-disclosure agreement and background check. Since almost all the jobs are working with children, the volunteer must complete a Families First background check which takes a few weeks. There are some jobs such as delivering supplies that don’t involve contact with children which have less stringent requirements.
Family Kitchen has registered as a non-profit, expected to be granted July 2024. They are sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church. They serve nutritious meals to anyone who is hungry. They have kitchens/dining rooms in Bend, Sisters, and Redmond. They also prepare meals to-go for delivery to shelters, homes, and camps.
Cooking
Serving
Washing dishes
Delivering meals
Shopping
Store pickups
Laundry
Team lead
Being a board member
Individual volunteers are welcome. Several churches and groups regularly volunteer as a team. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Homeless Outreach Project prepares and serves lunch the third Wednesday and dinner the first Friday of every month. I don’t know about other groups.
If you are volunteering as part of the UUFCO team, use this link:
https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/376990093539632053/false#/invitation
You can then join others from UUFCO at the kitchen at the scheduled time.
If you are not a part of the UUFCO team, use this link:
http://www.familykitchen.org/volunteer
Your first time volunteering you fill out the online form and you will be contacted by the volunteer coordinator who will help you find a volunteer job. You can then sign up for a shift on the Family Kitchen volunteer site. When you arrive for your first shift you will be given a brief orientation, and you will be provided with an apron, food, and cooking equipment.
https://www.thegivingplate.org/
TGP is a faith founded nonprofit but not a religeous organization. They provide food to people in Central Oregon, especially to children. 90% of the people they serve are not homeless. They have a grocery store where people can shop for food for free.
Personal shopper
Greeting guests
Loading cars
Stocking shelves
Cleaning
Delivery driver
Other things you have a talent for
Volunteer shifts are 3-4 hours, late morning to mid-afternoon, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
https://www.thegivingplate.org/volunteer-1
Fill out an application online. The application will direct you to watch two training videos, one on food handling, and one on non-discrimination. A volunteer coordinator will contact you to schedule a trial shift. After the trial shift you can schedule additional shifts. The Giving Plate is looking for people who can volunteer on a regular basis. If you choose to work with children, a background check is required.
The Giving Plate is moving in April which wil provide more opportunities to help with moving and getting set up in the new location.
https://www.uufco.org/homeless-outreach-project
UUFCO Homeless Outreach Project meets the first Tuesday of each odd month at 4:00 PM in the conference room at the UUFCO Fellowship.
Serve at The Family Kitchen
Staff the emergency shelter when it opens for dangerous weather
Staff the Homeless Outreach table after service on Sunday mornings
Additional volunteer opportunities are discussed at the Homeless Outreach meeting.
https://www.uufco.org/homeless-outreach-project
Send email (homelessoutreach@uufco.org) saying how you want to be involved and someone will contact you, or you can just attend a Homeless Outreach meeting at UUFCO in person or by zoom. Zoom link is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86911370740#success
COV is a non-profit partnered with SquareOne Villages of Eugene and the First United Methodist Church of Bend.
They run a village of cabins for homeless families and individuals in Bend.
Contact COV. I will provide a list when I learn more.
Fill out the Contact form on the COV website and someone will contact you. I will update this when I learn more.
Bend Food Project is an all volunteer non-profit that collects food for The Giving Plate. Volunteers buy a little extra food, leave it at their front door, and neighborhood volunteers pick it up.
Buy and donate food
Neighborhood coordinator who picks up food from their neighbors
Sorting food
Recruiting at a local store or in the neighborhood
Substitute drivers
Special events
Other things you have a talent for
Fill out the online form and someone will contact you.
For more information about any of the service providers, contact them via the provided links to their websites. For comments, corrections, or additions to this website, send email to lyndw1@hotmail.com.
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