STAR OF HOPE

HELP SERVE MEALS

“We serve three meals a day, 365 days each year, at three facilities, and always need volunteers!  What an opportunity to encourage and uplift as you hand meal trays to our clients.”  Kitchen volunteers help set up, serve, and clean up after each meal. No more than 6 volunteers may serve in each kitchen per meal. High School students must have at least one chaperone per kitchen.  (This program currently suspended due to COVID.)

SERVE SNACKS TO WOMEN & FAMILIES

For volunteers of all ages.  “It can be a long time between dinner and breakfast when you can’t raid the fridge for a snack. Thanks to the snacks you provide and serve, our clients end the day with a delicious blessing.” Volunteers arrive at 7:45 PM to set up. Clients are invited to come by for a snack beginning at 8:00. Snack time is over at 8:30 and volunteers are asked to sweep up. Please prepare for approximately 125 guests. Monday – Sunday evenings.

Volunteers are asked to adhere to a specific menu. Monday: popcorn, pretzels, or goldfish, Tuesday: peanut butter & jelly finger sandwiches, Wednesday: cookies, Thursday: fruit or veggie trays, Friday: cookies, Saturday: pudding cups, Jell-O cups, or fruit cups, Sunday: Rice Krispie treats or granola bars.

More information is here. (Currently volunteers only drop off snacks (no client contact) due to COVID.)

ORGANIZE DONATED ITEMS

“Behind-the-scenes and far from glamorous, but vital in getting donated supplies into the hands of those in need. Donated items must be sorted, boxed, labeled, and palletized for distribution.”  Projects for small groups of volunteers may be scheduled during the week and on some Saturdays.  (This project is temporarily suspended due to COVID.)

EAGLE SCOUT / GOLD AWARD PROJECTS

One-time projects have included constructing new storage units, collecting bed pillows and towels, collecting children’s books, making fleece blankets, renovating a gazebo and painting a fence and picnic tables, constructing new benches and seating areas, and many other contributions.

COLLECT NEEDED ITEMS
Critical Needs include deodorant for men and women, diapers (sizes 5 & 6), bath towels, razors.
Urgent Needs include diapers, disposable pull-ups (sizes 4 & 5), baby powder, baby wipes, toiletries, shaving cream, razors, travel-size soap & shampoo, bottled water.
Ongoing Needs include new underwear for men, women, and children; socks (for children); women’s clothing size 22 & up (appropriate for job interviews); pillows; blankets; towels; toilet paper; strollers (no umbrella strollers please); flashlights and batteries.

Some donations cannot be accepted. Please visit the website for more details and for a list of urgent needs.

COLLECT SCHOOL SUPPLIES (IN SUMMER)

Before school begins, the Star of Hope distributes school supplies: pencils, binders, crayons, heavy-duty backpacks, pencil sharpeners, plastic rulers, and many other items.

School supplies must be dropped off before the second week in August; in the summer the Star of Hope website includes details about exactly what is needed.

WRITE NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT

“We all love cards and special greetings, but our clients don’t usually receive mail that is positive and uplifting.  Your notes will be placed in client mailboxes or on bunk beds to bless, uplift, and raise the self-esteem of who are homeless.  You can use any type of card you prefer.  Plain cardstock cut into fourths works great.  You can simply pen a note or decorate the cards with markers, colored pencils, and/or stickers.  In other words, you can unleash your creativity and compassion.  Notes can be all occasion or seasonal, but should not contain any personal information, such as names or phone numbers. This project is done at your convenience and at your location. We ask that you track and send us the hours you spend on this project.  Since we have new people coming to our shelters every day needing help, the need for Notes of Encouragement is ongoing!”

(Please contact Star of Hope to see if they are currently accepting notes.)

MAKE HYGIENE KITS

Star of Hope distributes more than 1,000 hygiene kits per month through our Love-in-Action Van Ministry. These kits meet the most basic needs of those living out on the streets. There is no minimum or maximum number of hygiene kits we will accept – we are grateful for each kit and the volunteer who made it!

Please place the following items inside of a 1-gallon ziplock bag: 1 Pair of White Socks, Face Towel, Razor, Wet Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, Travel Size Shampoo/Conditioner, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Crackers, Granola Bar &/or Raisins, 1 Pudding Cup, Lunch-to-Go Tuna Kit or 1 Can of Vienna Sausage, 1 Fruit Cup, & a Note of Encouragement with a Bible Verse.  More information is here. 

MAKE BLANKETS

Many of the children at Star of Hope arrive at the shelter anxious & afraid. Your blankets provide comfort & security as our children snuggle up in the soft, warm fabric giving hope that tomorrow will indeed be a better day! Blankets can be machine-stitched, fleece no-sew, knitted or crocheted. Both child-size blankets & full-size, adult blankets are needed & greatly appreciated. (Please contact the Star of Hope to see if they are currently accepting blankets.)