Anytime you help those who need help – especially the least of these our brothers and sisters – you are serving as The Hands of Christ. But in case you’d like a structured way to devote your time and talents to serving the needs of others, we’ve contacted a few of the local ministries our parish works with to find out what types of help they need. That information is below, along with contact information.

(Note: Some ministries require orientation or training sessions or background checks, and may have age requirements. Please check for details.)

Birthright ministry for women facing unplanned or problem pregnancies: Help in office, knit booties, host a shower
Sally Chardos: 767-9005. Hank Chardos: 543-8144; hank@birthrightofcolumbia.org;
birthrightofcolumbia.org

Boys and Girls Club: tutoring
Alicia Evans: 240-7924 (call in the morning). bgcmidland.org

Cooperative Ministry emergency resources for individuals and families in crisis: client interviewers, receptionists, clerical help, tax preparers, prayer partners, clothing sorters
Rhemie Gantz: 799-3853; rgantz@coopmin.org; coopmin.org

Family Promise family housing assistance: help prepare families to move into permanent housing, volunteer at day center, provide event planning, graphic design, grant writing, networking, videography
familypromisemidlands.org; 832-4765

Free Medical Clinic: nursing, pharmacy and administrative volunteers
Sandy Earles: searles@freemedclinic.org; or complete online volunteer form at freemedicalclinic.org

Harvest Hope Food Bank: Sort food, serve clients at emergency food pantry
Sara Bouknight: 254-4432; sbouknight@harvesthope.org; harvesthope.org

Oliver Gospel Mission homeless shelter: Mentor; teach computer, math or reading literacy; help at Thrift Store on Two Notch Road in groups of six (hanging/sorting clothes, moving products, cleaning products)
254-6470; olivergospelmission.com

Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter for abused & abandoned children and teens: Cook or provide supper for kids, sponsor an outing for 14-18 kids
786-6819; admin@palmettoplaceshelter.org; opalmettoplaceshelter.org

Salvation Army: serve meals, prepare meals, work in Family Store, individually or in small groups
Mark Barrett: 223-9969; mark.barrett@uss.salvationarmy.org; salvationarmycarolinas.org/Columbia

Sistercare for survivors of domestic violence: Graphic design, web design, children’s programs, rural outreach, speakers. Special need for bilingual volunteers.
Christie Fleming: 926-0505; cfleming@sistercare.com; sistercare.org

Meals on Wheels (Senior Resources): pack and/or deliver meals daily, 9 a.m. to noon (Trenholm Road United Methodist Church or Westminister Presbyterian on Broad River Road); substitute deliverers, for one-time or regular assistance
Mekia Burgess: 252-7734 x 236; malston@seniorresourcesinc.org

Pet Pals (Senior Resources): deliver pet food the third week of each month to Meals on Wheels recipients.
Mekia Burgess: 252-7734 x236; malston@seniorresourcesinc.org

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (Senior Resources): tutoring, mentoring, hospital and library work, assistance to local non-profit
Beverly Brandt: 252-7734 x 246; bbrandt@seniorresourcesinc.org

S.C. Bishops Public Education Initiative: Mentor children in poor schools, advocate for public education initiatives (Note: Mentoring is scheduled on a semester basis, so you might not be able to start this during Lent, but you can get plugged in now.)
Rev. Susan Heath at the Diocesan House: 771-7800 x 108; sheath@edusc.org

Wellness Centers (Senior Resources): assist with or lead classes; provide companionship to clients Mekia Burgess: 252-7734 x 236; malston@seniorresourcesinc.org

Feeding Children Everywhere has food packaging events in Columbia on March 11 at Spring Valley High School and April 1 at North Trenholm Baptist Church. Register to volunteer at feedingchildreneverywhere.com/volunteer

Homeworks, which provides some administrative support for our annual mission work trip to Valle Crucis, is sponsoring a one-day blitz build in Columbia on April 8. Register at homeworksofamerica.org or 781-4536

Need more ideas? United Way of the Midlands operates an online volunteer clearinghouse, which lists scores of opportunities to serve on a one-time or ongoing basis.
Go to uway.galaxydigital.com

Contact Deacon Fred Walters if you’d like help selecting a ministry to work with,
or if you’d like to arrange to work together with others.