Volunteer Opportunities Provide Multiple Ways To Give Back

Volunteer opportunities provide multiple ways to give back

By: Amanda Ross

Giving back this holiday season is now easier than ever thanks to volunteer opportunities created by charitable organizations in and around Hays County. There are several worthy organizations throughout the San Marcos I-35 (Innovation) Corridor, here are just a few.

Hays County Food Bank

Volunteers put in over 18,000 hours of work at the Hays County Food Bank in 2013 alone, making the holiday season a little brighter for local families in need. Applicants must undergo a one-hour orientation session on Wednesday at 9 p.m. or Friday at 1:30 p.m. to get involved directly at the food bank. Volunteers can choose their own shifts and work in sectors tailored to their individual skill sets once accepted into the program. The organization is accepting donations of canned foods and other non-perishables at locations around town from those who want to help but don’t have time for full-out shifts.

Elf Louise

Elf Louise is one of the Alamo City’s most popular and beloved holiday traditions just a few miles down IH-35 in San Antonio. Groups or individuals can sign up to wrap gifts at the Elf Louise warehouse to be delivered to children in need around San Antonio. Elf Louise makes for a great group volunteering activity as the organization accepts teams of no more than 24 people. The organization always accepts monetary donations. Gift wrapping times are open through November and December, making giving back easier than ever.

Animal Shelter

Volunteers are needed at PAWS Shelter of Central Texas to pass holiday cheer on to some furry friends. Prospective volunteers must complete an orientation session. These sessions are held on the first and third Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. Volunteers can work in areas including office and administration, dog walking, fundraising, photography and transport. Those with a little more time and space to give can sign up to foster dogs or cats, hosting the animals in their homes until the pets are adopted by forever families. 

Amanda Ross is a reporter for the University Star where this story originally published. It is reprinted here through a news partnership between the University Star and the San Marcos Corridor News | @CorridorNews