The Salvation Army in Greater Columbus: Doing the Most Good
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Without the generous support of volunteers from all over Central Ohio, it would not be possible to provide all of the programs and services that The Salvation Army offers. 

Please call Jean Griffith at 614.358.2627 to volunteer or FILL OUT OUR NEW FORM!

New Volunteer Opportunity: Gas and Electric Bill Assistance Programs

The Salvation Army has two programs to help families who have had their utility service cut-off or are in threat of service termination. HeatShare helps families pay natural gas bills and Neighbor to Neighbor helps with electric bills. The need for these programs is great--right now our case workers are receiving up to 200 calls per day each!

We are recruiting volunteers to help with these programs. We need volunteers at: our East Main and West Mound Worship & Service Centers to:

  • help clear voicemail
  • log phone calls into a spreadsheet
  • and return calls to schedule appointments.

Volunteers may come in during any weekday for a couple hours.
People who are interested in making a longer-term commitment can be trained to meet with clients and take applications for the programs.
Please e-mail Jean Griffith or call her at 614-358-2627 to schedule a volunteer time.

Dear Volunteer.....
Read about how you are making a difference and helping The Salvation Army remain the most efficient and effective organization in our community!

Each year hundreds of people volunteer to help the needy through several programs.  If you would like to help, please contact us about any of the following opportunities:

After School Learning Centers
Canned Food Drives

Career Enhancement Center

Choice Pantry

Christmas Cheer

Coats for Columbus
Human Trafficking Emergency/After Hours Phone Volunteer
Heat Share

Heart to Heart Weekend Meals

Red Kettle Bell Ringer

Senior Food Box Distribution
Volunteer at our Worship and Service Centers
"Virtual" Volunteering
Other Opportunities

If you're ready to volunteer today, please download our Volunteer Interest Form and follow the simple directions. Thank you for your time and assistance!

 


After School Learning Centers

All openings for the 2008-2009 school year have been filled. In August we will begin recruiting volunteer tutors for the 2009-2010 school year.

After School Learning Centers (ongoing September through May)
We have opportunities for volunteers to tutor elementary and middle school students in math and reading one day a week for two hours after school. Students are from the Columbus City School District and are struggling academically. Because the program strives to provide consistent and stable role models, volunteers are required to commit to this opportunity once a week for a minimum of three (3) months. There are four (4) centers and each can accommodate
several tutors per day. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Age Requirement: Minimum age 18

Time Requirement: Volunteers are required to volunteer a minimum of once a week for 3 months.

Dates/Times: Monday through Thursday, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Locations:

West Mound Worship and Service Center
2300 W. Mound Street, Columbus (map)

East Main Worship and Service Center
966 E. Main Street, Columbus (map)

Innis Elementary School
3399 Kohr Road, Columbus (map)

Livingston Elementary School
387 E Beck St, Columbus (map)

Contact Us: email Jean Griffith or call 614-358-2627

 


Canned Food Drives

Most of the food distributed through The Salvation Army’s Choice Food Pantries is purchased through the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.  Any food donations we receive help to offset the cost of purchasing food, and allow us to serve more families in need. We welcome any group, church, organization, or business to sponsor a canned food drive to support our pantries.  The Salvation Army will pick up the food at your convenience.  We can also provide a list of most-needed items.

Looking for tips on how to run a successful food drive? We have volunteer mentors who have experience coordinating food drives and would be happy to talk to you. Please email Jean Griffith or call her at 614-358-2627 if you would like to speak to one of these volunteers.

 


Career Enhancement Center

The East Main Worship and Service Center operates a Career Enhancement Center (CEC), providing job training classes and job placement assistance to people in need.  The Center offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including:

    • Classroom Facilitation Aide: conducting mock interviews, helping with resume development, assisting with computer training and financial literacy training
    • Open Lab Monitor: assisting program participants during open labs with math, reading, computer and employability skill assessment exercises
    • Clerical Help: making copies, researching job openings, entering data into spreadsheets, preparing materials for recruitment, orientations, classes, job fairs, etc.
    • Employers:  partnering with the CEC to promote job openings at your business, or donating items to help  program graduates seeking employment or educational opportunities
    • Educational Programs:  partnering with the CEC to promote educational opportunities for program participants with your school or organization.

    Age Requirements:  Must be at least 16

    Dates/Times: Weekdays between 9:00am and 2:30pm (hours vary according to volunteer duty)

    Location:

    East Main Worship and Service Center
    966 E. Main Street, Columbus (map)

    Contact Us:  email Jean Griffith or call 614-358-2627


    Choice Pantry (Food Pantry)

    The Salvation Army operates four (4) food pantries using the “Client Choice” food pantry model. This model allows clients to choose the food items their families need and enjoy, rather than receiving a prepared box of food. The Choice Pantries restore dignity to clients and reduce the amount of wasted food due to dietary restrictions, food preparation limitations, or personal tastes.
    We are recruiting volunteers for two-hour shifts on weekdays to help operate the pantry, stock shelves and assist clients.

    Age Requirements:  Must be at least 16

    Dates/Times: 

    East Main Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Friday 9am-11am, 11am-1pm & 1pm-3pm

    West Mound Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Friday 9am-11am, 11am-1pm & 1pm-3pm

    Worthington Woods Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Friday 11am-1pm & 1pm-3pm

    Citadel Worship and Service Center Volunteer Shifts: Volunteer hours vary, please contact us for details

    Locations:

    East Main - 966 E. Main St. (map)
    Citadel Worship and Service Center 3976 Karl Rd 43224
    West Mound - 2300 W. Mound St. (map)
    Worthington Woods - 760 Worthington Woods Blvd. (map)

    Contact Us:  email Jean Griffith or call 614-358-2627

     


    Human Trafficking Emergency/After Hours Phone Volunteer:

    Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition (one-month shift, year-round)

    The Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition (CORRC) works to end Human Trafficking through public awareness, services to trafficked persons, advocacy, and resources and training support to law enforcement.   The Salvation Army in Greater Columbus manages the coalition of over 50 member agencies of CORRC.  We are recruiting volunteers to answer the Emergency/After Hours phone line for a one-month period.  When victims call Central Ohio’s trafficking hotline, they can access help from the Coalition 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The phone volunteers respond to the immediate needs of the trafficked person by mobilizing CORRC member services.  All volunteers are required to join the CORRC and will receive training on the Emergency/After Hours Phone Protocol.  For more information about this opportunity, please contact Michelle Hannan at 437-2149, or email Michelle.

     


    Christmas Cheer (Dec. 14-18)

    Christmas Cheer is one of Ohio’s largest holiday toy and food distribution programs.  We provide food and toys to nearly 7,000 families in need over a two-day period.  We are recruiting volunteers to help with set up, decorating Christmas trees, filling food boxes, helping families "shop" in the Toy Shop, checking-in families, and assisting clients to their cars.  We need hundreds of volunteers for three-hour shifts throughout the day and during some evenings Monday through Friday.  We also welcome groups, churches, organizations and businesses to sponsor food and toy drives to support the Christmas Cheer program.

    Age Requirement:  Minimum age 13 or 18 depending on the duty

    Dates/Times:

    Registration -(November 16-20 and November 30-December 4)
    Monday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    Locations:

    Registration - any of the four Worship and Service Centers
    Citadel - 3976 Karl Road (map)
    East Main - 966 E. Main Street (map)
    West Mound - 2300 W. Mound St. (map)
    Worthington Woods - 760 Worthington Woods Blvd. (map)

    Distribution - DiSalle Center on the Ohio State Fairgrounds

    Contact Us:  email Jean Griffith or call 614-358-2627

     


    Coats for Columbus

    Coats for Columbus: Coat Sorting (October and November)

    Each year The Salvation Army’s Coats for Columbus program collects and distributes new and gently used, warm winter coats to children and adults in need.  We have opportunities for volunteers to sort the coats and weed out unusable coats on Saturdays during the weeks prior to distribution.  We need approximately 10-20 volunteers for four (4) hours each Saturday.

    Coats for Columbus: Registration (October and November)

    Families must register to receive coats through the Coats for Columbus program.  We have opportunities at our four worship and service centers for volunteers to greet families and help the head of household complete registration information. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

    Coat Collection Drives (September and October)

    All coats distributed through the Coats for Columbus program are donated by the community, or purchased with funds donated to the program.  We welcome any group, church, organization, or business to sponsor a coat collection drive to support Coats for Columbus.  Once collected we will pick up, clean and distribute the coats to families in need.

     

    Age Requirements: Minimum age for sorting, 16. Minimum age for registration, 18. No minimum age for collecting coats.

    Dates/Times:  Various days and times from mid-September through mid-November

    Location:  Varies

    Contact Us:  email Alice Hohl or call 614-437-2138

     


    Heat Share

    The Salvation Army’s HeatShare Program assists Central Ohioans in need with paying their natural gas bills via a partnership with Columbia Gas.  We have opportunities at our four worship and service centers for volunteers to greet families and help them fill out applications for assistance through the program. 

    Age Requirements:  Minimum age 18

    Dates/Times:  June, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    Locations:  All 4 Worship and Service Centers

    Citadel - 3976 Karl Road (map)
    East Main - 966 E. Main St. (map)
    West Mound - 2300 W. Mound St. (map)
    Worthington Woods - 760 Worthington Woods Blvd. (map)

    Contact Us:  email Jean Griffith or call 614-358-2627

     


    Heart To Heart Weekend Meals

    *The 2009 volunteer schedule has been filled, but we are taking names for a cancellation list and the 2010 schedule.*

    The Heart To Heart Weekend Meals program provides hot, nutritious meals every Saturday and Sunday evening, year round, to the homeless community, via our mobile canteen truck.

    Volunteers are needed to help prepare meals to be served on the canteen, and ride on the canteen to serve the meals. We are looking for groups that can commit to a set date once a month.

    Age Requirements:  Minimum age 16 (unless accompanied by adult)

    Dates/Times: 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday

    Location:  Chapel at Worthington Woods, 760 Worthington Woods Blvd, 43085 (map)

    Contact Us: Call or email Ashley Luzader to volunteer at 614.846.1884 ext. 17


     


    Red Kettle Bell Ringer (Nov./Dec.)

    The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign is our largest annual fundraiser.  Each year we raise more than $500,000 to support our programs and services.  We need volunteers to ring the bell at a kettle for a minimum of two hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.  We also encourage volunteer groups to "adopt" a kettle for a day or a couple of days throughout the season.  For example, the group would agree to cover all kettle hours on a Saturday or over a couple of Saturdays.  Learn more here.

    Age Requirements:  Minimum age is 16 (unless accompanied by adult)

    Dates/Times:  November 15th through December 24th various times, Monday through Saturday.

    Locations:  Various Locations around Central Ohio.

    Contact Us:  email Stephanie Koscher

     


    Senior Food Box Distribution

    Each month The Salvation Army distributes commodity food boxes to Senior Citizens in need. We are looking for volunteers to help unload and distribute the food boxes at our Citadel and East Main St. Food Pantry locations. VOLUNTEERS MUST BE ABLE TO LIFT 35 LB. BOXES. Volunteers are needed during the following dates and times (volunteers may sign up for one date or several):

    Citadel: Mondays from 11:00am-4:00pm, Wednesdays from 10:00am-2:00pm; 3976 Karl Road (map)

    East Main: Mondays from 8:30am-3:00pm, Wednesdays from 10:00am-2:00pm; 966 E. Main St. (map)

    Mon. May 18, 2009
    Wed. May 20, 2009
    Mon. June 15, 2009
    Wed. June 17, 2009
    Mon. July 20, 2009
    Wed. July 22, 2009
    Mon. August 17, 2009
    Wed. August 19, 2009
    Mon. September 21, 2009
    Wed. September 23, 2009
    Mon. October 19, 2009
    Wed. October 21, 2009
    Mon. November 23, 2009
    Wed. November 25, 2009
    Mon. December 9, 2009
    Wed. December 11, 2009

    Locations: Citadel -
    Contact Us:  email Jean Griffith or call 614-358-2627

     


    Volunteer at our Worship and Service Centers

    Each of our worship and service centers hosts a variety of programs and services throughout the year.  There are ongoing needs for volunteers to help answer phones and assist with clerical work.  These projects vary by center and time of year, and are handled on a case-by-case basis.


    "Virtual" Volunteer Opportunities

    Our “Virtual Volunteer” program allows volunteers to help The Salvation Army on their own time and from their own homes, or anywhere with computer access.   Examples of virtual volunteering include internet research, compiling and maintaining spreadsheets, and assisting with database maintenance.  These projects vary by time of year, so please contact us for details.


    Other Opportunities

    The Salvation Army has opportunities year round for volunteers to assist with a variety of projects and programs.  Examples include cleaning out and organizing our food pantries, stuffing envelopes in preparation for a large mailing, or sorting a large donation.  Because these projects often arise without much notice, please contact us for details.

    For more information, contact us at Info@salvationarmycolumbus.org

    New Volunteer Opportunity:

    The Salvation Army's Neighbor to Neighbor Program Helps Families with Electric Bills

    The Salvation Army has just launched the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, in partnership with American Electric Power and the Dollar Energy Fund. We can help families in need who have had their electric service cut-off or are in threat of service termination.

    We are recruiting volunteers to help with this exciting new program. We need volunteers at our Worship & Service Centers to help clear voicemail, log phone calls into a spreadsheet and return calls. Volunteers may come in during any weekday for a couple hours. People who are interested in making a longer-term commitment can be trained to meet with clients and take applications for the program.

    Please e-mail Jean Griffith or call her at 614-358-2627 for more information or to schedule a volunteer time.

     

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The Salvation Army serves people in need without discrimination. By putting money to maximum use, The Army provides services, programs and ministries that produce measurable, life-enhancing results.