Volunteering Opportunities in Central Florida
Here are some ideas of places to volunteer with your kids. It is always fun to do this with a group of friends. Home Education does not require Community service hours, however, if you are applying for a scholarship you will need to check with them to see the minimum required hours that can be accepted. If you are looking to apply for the Bright Futures Scholarship, they do require volunteer hours.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank has various volunteer opportunities. When my kids and I went here, we went with a group of friends. One time, they had to sort sweet potatoes and place them in a bag to donate to families in need. Another time, they had to sort packaged food and look at the expiration dates to make sure it was safe to donate. As far as age, you can take kids as young as 5 years old. This is from their website: “Volunteers have to be at least 10 years old with a chaperone who is 18 years or older in order to help out in our facility, 16 years old without a chaperone. We also now have a “Family Night” or a “Family Day” for families with children ages 5-9 years old.”
Cat Tail Corner Adoptions
https://www.cattailcorneradoptions.org
Cat Tail Corner is a foster based rescue. They are constantly in need of more foster homes and this is one of the ways your student can obtain service/volunteer hours. They also need volunteers to help with their week-end adoption events which are held primarily at PetSmart in Casselberry (next to Target on 17-92). They need help setting up on Fridays and breakdown on Sundays. In addition, they need help each week between 5-8pm to clean kennels, fill the water bowls with fresh water and food. Call Juanita (407) 782-6255 for more information.
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
https://petallianceorlando.org/community-involvement/volunteer/
Do you love animals? Then this is the place for you to volunteer. There are several volunteer positions here that you can choose from. They have oppostunities for older kids and younger kids under 16.
Edible Education Experience
https://www.edibleed.org/volunteer
Edible Education Experience is a non-profir organization that provides seed to table education working with kids and adults to look at all facets of food.
A Gift for Teaching
https://www.agiftforteaching.org/volunteer/
A Gift for Teaching serves public schools in Orange and Osceola counties as the primary source for free school supplies to teachers for students who need them most. Specific tasks will vary depending on the day and the type of shift each volunteer is fulfilling. There are a variety of positions available for volunteers.
Children’s Home Society of Florida
My kids and I haven’t volunteered here yet. I am including it here because it was recommended by another family and it looks like a great opportunity to help out.