Remote Volunteer Opportunities for COVID-19

Opportunities available: Make a phone call or write a letter to a Holocaust Survivor, Arrange delivery of groceries or a take-out meal to one of our low-income families, Make a phone call or write a letter to a senior citizen who is socially isolated, Volunteer with our local Kosher Meals on Wheels initiative, Volunteer with our Parenting Support Program, Print out JFS’s “Virtual Hugs” color sheet and color/place it in your front window to spread some love and cheer to your neighbors.

If you are interested in one of the volunteer opportunities listed above or for questions about in-kind donations, contact Sierra Johnston at 716-548-0431 or sjohnston@jfsbuffalo.org

Address for the Resurrection Life Food Pantry is 2145 Old Union Rd, Buffalo, NY 14227. Drop off's are on Wednesdays & Thursdays between 10am-1pm.

Questions can be directed to Kim Reynolds by email FoodPantry@res-life.com or phone 716-208-4450

We are looking for cards with messages of hope and positivity to mail to our clients.

If interested, contact Sara Carlson, Compeer Coordinator, (716) 433-3780 ext. 313 or scarlson@mhanc.com

Volunteers are needed to sew face masks or non-sterile, reusable waterproof gowns. These items are for our staff to wear while working, and to help slow any chance of spreading COVID-19. The mask and gown patterns can be found at www.HeritageChristianServices.org/FaceMasks.

We ask volunteers to place the items in a sealed plastic bag, that includes a piece of paper with donor contact information, and deliver them the day program located at 170 Main St. Tonawanda, NY 14150.

Hold a virtual food drive. You can hold a food drive for FeedMore WNY without having to collect food or even leave home! To learn more about virtual food drives, please visit FeedMore WNY’s virtual food drive page at https://yougivegoods.com/feedmorewny-covid19

Hold a “contactless” food drive. A contactless food drive allows you to collect food donations while adhering to social distancing guidelines. To learn more, visit our contactless food drive page on our website. For more information or to get your food drive started, contact our Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator Gaelyn Clay-Adams at 716-822-2005 ext. 3099 or email gclay-adams@feedmorewny.org.

Make homemade cards for our aging, homebound community members. Many of FeedMore’s home-delivered meal recipients are socially isolated. Oftentimes, the only person they may see for the day is their home-delivered meal volunteer. A donation of homemade cards helps us brighten the days of the meal recipients. These cards can say “thinking of you,” “happy spring,” or whatever positive message you desire! Please ensure that cards are not addressed to a specific client or contain any religious/possibly offensive content. We are always seeking “happy birthday” cards as well! Please send cards to our 100 James E. Casey Drive location in Buffalo.

If you think you’re ready to be a mentor, there’s a child who’s waiting to meet you. Learn more at one of the Online Volunteer Information Sessions –Tuesday, April 21 at Noon or Tuesday, April 28 at Noon.

A network of caring people in a community, working together in a time of social isolation to produce masks for front line medical staff on a large scale. Individuals and companies organized to do big things TOGETHER.

Are you interested in helping New American families and survivors of domestic violence and trafficking in Buffalo practice English over video call? We need volunteers who are willing to have 1 hour lessons twice a week with our clients. 15 minutes of the lesson will be spent interacting with the children and parents together teaching them how to use their surroundings and every day activities to practice English. 45 minutes of the lesson will be working on English skills with the parents. This will all take place over video call so you must have access to a phone or computer with a camera! We will be having a two virtual trainings (over Zoom) with education providers. The first of two trainings for this program is on Friday April 24th at 10 am.

Make your own Pizza Kits for the group home individuals to make dinner, have some fun and beat boredom! We have over 100 group homes in the WNY area in the 7 surrounding counties. We would love to partner with local pizzerias or volunteers!

Please contact Kristin Green, kristin.L.green@opwdd.ny.gov to set-up a pick-up/delivery.

A CASA volunteer works one-on-one with a child by visiting them monthly, speaking with their teachers, counselors and caregivers and then reports that information to Family Court Judges. After extensive training and background checks, you typically spend 10 to 15 hours per month working with your child. As a CASA volunteer, you can make a major difference in a child’s life.

For more information on becoming a CASA volunteer in Erie County, contact Jodi Johnson at johnson@mhawny.org or call 716-886-1242 x 318.

For more information, please contact Melanie at melaniehdblow@gmail.com or call 585-315-6480.