Hands On Greater Portland

Serve a Meal: Blanchet House (age 12+) *Hands On*

Monday through Saturday, Blanchet House serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the hungry, helped by the men who live in Blanchet’s transitional housing and volunteers like you! Come out and help with serving, busing, and the food assembly line for the 700-800 meals we serve each day. Volunteers will arrive half an hour before the meal begins to get oriented to Blanchet House and divvy up tasks. Meal service lasts approximately one hour, after which volunteers are welcome to stay and eat with the rest of the meal crew and the 29 men who live and work at Blanchet House. Anyone with hair below the shoulders must have it back in a hair tie. No open toed shoes, and no shirts with exposed armpits. Short sleeved shirts are fine. *This project is closed to all volunteers seeking to fulfill court-ordered community service hours. Click here for opportunities that are appropriate for court-ordered service. Blanchet House of Hospitality, founded in 1952, offers to the poor: free meals, beds, jobs, and HOPE. In recent years it has been joined by two more properties to become a multi-unit complex of charitable endeavors, including the Blanchet Farm in Carlton, OR, which serves as a working farm and recovery site for men. For all 56 years of its existence, the Blanchet programs have been managed by the men who originally came for a meal and a place to stay. They live in the House and perform all of the daily tasks involved in its operation, thus contributing to their own self-esteem and developing a community spirit. Since its inception, the House has served over seventeen million hot meals, provided over one million night's lodging, distributed over 800,000 items of clothing, and filled over 120,000 temporary jobs. Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older to attend this project; any volunteer under age 13 must attend with a parent or adult chaperone. All volunteers under 18 are required to bring a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please download, complete, and bring this waiver with you on the day of the project: Youth Volunteer Release Form If you plan to bring children or guests you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team, then sign up your team for this project. In the spirit of creating an atmosphere where people from all parts of our community are coming together to volunteer, **IMPORTANT NOTE: All volunteers will need to register for the Hands On meal service team through the Blanchet House's online volunteer registration system before the project. The Volunteer Leader will send out specific information to all registered volunteers a couple days before the project. Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355.

8/28/20 4:30 PM + more

HomePlate Meals with Youth (age 18+) *Hands On*

Meet our Volunteer Leaders Amanda and Marcus! **VOLUNTEERS WILL NEED TO BRING A FOOD ITEM. If this is a hardship for you, please let the Volunteer Leader know. The Volunteer Leader will contact you to tell you what to bring. HomePlate is a weekly meal program serving young people who are unstably housed in Washington County. We offer them a hot meal, a shower, a movie, games, conversation, and other resources: employment, housing, education assistance. Supplying dinner is our biggest need. The meal will serve between 40-55 people, which includes your group and other volunteers. Together, volunteers will prepare a main dish, salad, fruit/vegetable, and bring 1 gallon of milk, and 1 gallon of juice. Dessert and bread are welcome but optional. We are looking for people who enjoy hanging out with young people, providing a listening ear, and offering positive role-modeling. TIMES & LOCATIONS: Wednesdays- Beaverton Thursdays- Hillsboro -- HomePlate supports the positive development of young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability through community building, education, access to services and resources, and youth empowerment. HomePlate offers young people who are unstably housed in Washington County a place to eat a hot meal, take a shower, watch a movie, be listened to, and get resources. Keywords: free_the_future Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to attend this project. If you plan to bring guests you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team, then sign up your team for this project. IMPORTANT NOTE: You are responsible for ensuring that everyone signed up through your team attends - only sign up team members who have confirmed their availability. Teams that repeatedly sign up, but do not show up or show up with fewer volunteers than they signed up, may be removed. To add or remove team members from a project, click on "My Account" and then "My Teams," above. Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355.

6/4/20 5:15 PM

Marquam Nature Park Restoration Work Party (age 6+) *Hands On*

Do you think nature is only found outside the city? Think again! Lend a hand in the Portland Parks Natural Area closest to Downtown Portland and enjoy your Saturday morning working outside and meeting others in our community! About this Opportunity Join Friends of Marquam Nature Park, West Willamette Restoration Partnership, and Portland Parks & Recreation for a morning of urban forest renewal. It's fun, close-in, accessible, and very important work. Many hikers, runners, and walkers utilize this park and its trail, and it's part of the 40-mile loop around Portland that connects to Forest Park. Your time and effort will help keep this a high-quality natural area for people, native plants, and wildlife! What to Bring and Wear Dress for the weather, wear long pants, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle. Tools, gloves and snacks will be provided. Questions? Exact location details will be sent to you by the volunteer coordinator prior to the project. Contact Mary Verrilli with any questions using the email button below or by calling 503-823-9423. Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 6 years of age or older to attend this project; any volunteer under age 10 must attend with a parent or adult chaperone. If you plan to bring your children or other guests to the event, you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team. You can then sign up your team for this project. All volunteers under 18 are required to bring a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please download, complete, and bring this waiver with you on the day of the project: Youth Volunteer Release Form Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355

6/27/20 9:00 AM + more

Spruce Up Tualatin Library (age 6+) *Hands On*

Join us at the Tualatin Public Library where you can make a difference to library users by sprucing up the library! This event is a good time to explore the library in a new way. Tasks will include preparing, cleaning and shelving books, checking shelf order, and beautifying the library. We'll have projects for all ages -- give the library a little TLC and see what hidden treasures you find! No prior library training is required. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 6 years of age or older to attend this project; any volunteer under age 13 must attend with a parent or adult chaperone. If you plan to bring your children or other guests to the event, you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team. You can then sign up your team for this project. All volunteers under 18 are required to bring a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please download, complete, and bring this waiver with you on the day of the project: Youth Volunteer Release Form Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355. Keywords: free_the_future

6/12/20 6:00 PM

Get Crafty for Newborns (age 14+) *Hands On*

How can crafting make a difference? You might wonder why all the recent fuss about knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Volunteers from the Hands On craft groups will say they love getting together to socialize with new friends and marvel over the creativity of items made. But those who really benefit from our crafting are the recipients of the handmade treasures. Join in this project and knit, sew, crochet, or quilt anything baby to be donated to the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Clinic and Randall Children's Neonatal Intensive Care. A handmade item will make a loving impression on a new mom and baby. Another option - make a garment for a toddler/child/youth to be used to help diffuse trauma & negative impacts on the younger set when they have to be admitted to the hospital. Please know how to knit, sew, or crochet. We have limited supplies, so please bring your own if possible! (Due to social distancing this project is not meeting in person, should you sign up please be ready with any materials you would need to knit, crochet, or sew). This project is currently ***VIRTUAL, a Zoom link will be sent to you upon signing up below*** Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to attend this project. If you plan to bring your children or other guests to the event, you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team. You can then sign up your team for this project. All volunteers under 18 are required to bring a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please download, complete, and bring this waiver with you on the day of the project: Youth Volunteer Release Form Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355 or email info@handsonportland.org.

6/14/20 1:00 PM

Books for Kids: Schoolhouse Supplies (age 14+) *Hands On*

Help ensure that books get into the hands of local students! Every month Powell’s Bookstore donates thousands of books to Schoolhouse Supplies. But before they can go out on the shelf of our Free Store for Teachers we need to sort the books by grade level. Join us for this fun and rewarding project! Schoolhouse Supplies supports students and teachers throughout Portland Public Schools by operating a volunteer-run Free Store for Teachers. By collecting donations of all kinds - from classroom basics like pencils and paper to books, backpacks, and folders – from private and corporate donors, the Free Store for Teachers supplies much-needed learning materials to local classrooms. Every child deserves the tools they need to succeed in school – help us support this mission! Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to attend this project. If you plan to bring your children or other guests to the event, you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team. You can then sign up your team for this project. All volunteers under 18 are required to bring a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please download, complete, and bring this waiver with you on the day of the project: Youth Volunteer Release Form Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355

6/20/20 9:00 AM

Stock the Cupboard: Oregon Food Bank (age 6+) *Hands On*

Join Oregon Food Bank and help them in their mission to eliminate hunger and its root causes. Unpack and sort donated food destined for agencies that directly serve low income people in Oregon. Your presence makes a huge difference, and, it's a lot of fun! Please wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes, and clothing you wouldn't mind getting just a little dirty. Please note: OFB's highest need is often in the Perishable Repack Room, which is temperature controlled at about 50 degrees. It is possible that our volunteer group will be utilized in the Perishable Repack Room instead of the Volunteer Action Center, depending on where OFB has donations that need to be processed. It is important that everyone be very flexible, and bring an extra layer (sweatshirt) in case we are moved. Court-Ordered Volunteers: You will need to contact Oregon Food Bank directly to determine whether you are eligible to volunteer. Please contact Jenifer Naas at volunteer@oregonfoodbank.org or 503.972.2993 TEAMS NOTE: If you are signing up as a Team, you are limited to reserving 8 slots. If you have more than 8 in your group, please sign up through the Oregon Food Bank's Group Sign Up page. Keywords: free_the_future Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 6 years of age or older to attend this project; any volunteer under age 16 must attend with a parent or adult chaperone. All volunteers under 18 are required to bring TWO waivers signed by their parent or legal guardian -- one for Hands On and one for Oregon Food Bank. Please download, complete, and bring these waivers with you on the day of the project: Hands On Youth Volunteer Release Form Oregon Food Bank Youth Release Form If you plan to bring your children or other guests to the event, you MUST reserve slots for them. Please create a Volunteer Team, then sign up your team for this project. NOTE: If you are signing up as a Team, you are limited to reserving 8 slots. If you have more than 8 in your group, please sign up through the Oregon Food Bank's Group Sign Up page. The Volunteer Action Center is a bustling place and only unlockable lockers are available for purse/bag/coat storage during the project. Please leave your valuables at home. Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355.

7/11/20 9:00 AM + more

Fashion Sorting Party with Dress For Success (age 18+) *Hands On*

Are you a fashionista? Do you love helping women? If so, you may enjoy working in one of the largest closets at Dress for Success Oregon! We have a need for Clothing Organizers to assist with processing our many donations of clothing, shoes and accessories. The mission of Dress for Success Oregon is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. At our monthly Fashion Sorting Party, the goal is to process as many clothing donations as possible, in preparation to be given to clients. Come lend a hand by helping us: Sort clothing donations to appropriate channels Inspect clothing for quality Steam and iron clothing Size clothing and shoes Volunteers will be instructed on the clothing sorting guidelines and procedures upon arrival. Volunteers should be comfortable lifting or moving boxes, bags, or garments. Please come well-groomed and wear conservative attire that is comfortable enough to be physically active in (Tasks may include bending and lifting). Closed-toed shoes are required. Bring your positive attitude, your flexibility, your organization-skills, and a desire to help! Recommended for volunteers who have a love for organization and can tolerate a small space with many donations, but limited resources. Keywords: free_the_future Project Requirements: Volunteers must be age 18 and up to attend this project. If you plan to bring guests to the event, you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team. You can then sign up your team for this project. Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355.

7/22/20 10:30 AM + more