Volunteers still needed despite coronavirus outbreak

Virginia residents are hunkering down to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the wake of Governor Northam’s “Stay at Home” order; but they can still volunteer, and there are plenty of opportunities locally to do so.

The Governor’s Executive Order permits individuals to leave their homes for “volunteering with organizations that provide charitable or social services,” and there are several opportunities that local residents can partake in, according to an e-mail from Jan Hawkins, Program Director for the Greater Prince William Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Hawkins’ email lists numerous ways for volunteers to get involved in the community:

• Volunteer Prince William is designated by Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park to provide coordination of unaffiliated volunteers during emergency declarations. If you would like to be contacted to help during the coronavirus outbreak, please register on their website by clicking SIGN UP in the top right-hand corner (blue box) here. When you are completing your registration form be sure to check the box that asks if you wish to receive a disaster notification. If you are already registered as a volunteer on the Volunteer Prince William website, please log in to edit your user profile and check the box to indicate you wish to receive a disaster notification. When they receive requests for volunteers in the greater Prince William area they will send emails out to those volunteers who have indicated they want to receive a disaster notification and will include instructions on what to do if you are interested in volunteering to help meet that request. It may be a bit of a process and may also include a liability waiver form. Please contact Bonnie for more information at 703.369.5292, ext. 3, email [email protected].

• ACTS needs volunteers in their Hunger Prevention Center weekdays for morning (9:30 -11:30 AM) and afternoon shifts (12:30 -3 PM) to prep grocery bags and distribute groceries. Volunteers must complete and submit the online volunteer application found here prior to volunteering. Please contact Shirley at [email protected] or call 703.441.8606 ext. 212 for more information.

• House of Mercy is still accepting donations of nonperishable items for their food pantry so they can continue food assistance to needy families during the virus outbreak. Please email [email protected] to learn more.

• Keep Prince William Beautiful has quarantine-approved, family friendly volunteer opportunities available! They’re looking for individuals and families who can do small-scale litter cleanups which you can do in your own neighborhood. The staff is happy to safely deliver the cleanup supplies you need. Please email Aleta at [email protected] for more information.

• Prince William Food Rescue has a great opportunity for those who are healthy and want to get out of the house while still practicing social distancing. Have the kids ride along, slap on some gloves and rescue some food. Pick-up and drop-off with minimal interaction. Search Prince William Food Rescue in your smartphone’s app store, download the app and create a profile – you can start rescuing food right away! Please visit their website for more information.

• The Salvation Army is collecting items for seniors and vulnerable populations. You can help by creating care packages from the security of your own home and safely dropping items at their Prince William location in Woodbridge. Food items such as canned soups/other dry or canned foods are requested. Non-food items such as socks, toiletries, diapers/baby wipes and sanitizing supplies are also needed. Donated items can be dropped off at 1483 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge Suite 102, Woodbridge 22192. Please email Angela at [email protected] or call 202.345.2238 to learn more.

• SERVE needs volunteers in the Hunger Resource Center (HRC) to assist with assembling food packages to distribute to clients who face food insecurity. Minimal client contact is involved as volunteers will just pack up the food and take the food to the clients’ vehicles for them to load in. If you’re healthy, are not a part of the identified high-risk groups, and are comfortable leaving your home at this time, they would love to have you – even just one volunteer shift helps. Interested volunteers should visit this website and create an account. Once you have created an account, you can sign up for HRC Warehouse Volunteers & HRC Warehouse Volunteers Short-Term Shifts. Please email [email protected] to learn more.

• SERVE also needs volunteer groups to provide weekend meals for shelter guests. They have recently experienced some cancellations due to coronavirus. Individuals and groups that are interested in providing a meal can do all of the preparation in the comfort of their own home and drop off the meal in advance. Since this is something being done in your home, kids can get involved, too. Please contact Julie Martinez at [email protected] or 571.748.2674, for more information.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call the wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292, or their website.

Volunteers around the area are needed even as cases climbed throughout the state, increasing by 306 new positive cases in one day, as of April 3.