Volunteers from Save On Foods got in the spirit of giving by hosting a lunch at the Upper Room Mission.

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community this holiday season, there are plenty of organizations in Vernon welcoming both donations and volunteers.

Dave McBain, with the Salvation Army Food Bank, says people can lend a hand by donating cash or food to help feed those in need. Donations can be dropped off at the food bank on 32 Avenue, or made online. The food bank is also looking for volunteers to sort, date check and repackage food. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact them at 250-549-4111.

The Vernon Womens Transition House is another local organization looking to the community for support over the holidays. New toys, slippers, house coats and gift cards to offer guests over Christmas are being collected. To drop off donations, call 250-542-1122.

Helping out the Upper Room Mission is as simple as filling up a backpack with goodies. The backpacks will be handed out on Dec. 20. This year, due to a flood at the Mission, backpacks are being collected at the All Saints Anglican Church, at 3205 27 Ave. Suggestions for filling the backpacks include toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, brushes, combs, soap, facecloths, socks, toques, gloves, mittens, scarves, Kleenex, pens and paper. Drop off times are Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-2pm, and Friday 9am-12pm. The last day for drop off is Friday, Dec. 19. You can also donate to the Mission through a Victims Trust Account at VantageOne Credit Union. The Account # is 943555 and year-end tax receipts will be issued.

Another opportunity is volunteering at the People In Need Crisis Line. The service connects people who feel alone, are contemplating suicide, or who just need to talk with people who will listen. The line is open around the clock, and volunteers receive some 600 calls a month. Anyone interested in donating their time can contact People In Need.

You can also nominate a family in need, and let Junior Chamber International take care of the rest. With its sponsors, the JCI’s Helping Hands Program supports families with children who need support. You can nominate families online.

Animal lovers might consider donating to the Pet Soup Kitchen, an organization that helps keep owners and their pets together during difficult times. For more information about donations and volunteering, contact smeidinger@hotmail.com or send a message though the Facebook page.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014