Looking for summertime opportunities to give back to your community while you make family memories? Interfaith Works (IW), a local nonprofit serving our neighbors who are experiencing poverty and homelessness, has plenty of options for you. Many are eligible for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

IW’s programs welcome support and engagement with families interested in making a difference in the lives of our neighbors. This includes volunteering and holding drives to collect needed items.

Essential Needs Center Opportunties

For example, our Essential Needs Center (751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville) welcomes donations of gently used clothing, small household items, and toys.  Summertime is a great time for a family cleanout project! Accepted donation items are here. You can drop off donations. You also can volunteer to sort donations. Children must be 14 years or older to volunteer at the Essential Needs Center. Registration and orientation are required to volunteer.

Another option to support this program is to hold a drive with friends and neighbors to collect new school supplies and backpacks. Each summer, Interfaith Works distributes more than 5,000 brand new backpacks filled with age-appropriate supplies for students from pre-K through high school. Here is a list of the items we need.

We also welcome donations of shelf-stable foods at the IW Food Pantry at the Essential Needs Center, as well as at our women’s shelter in Rockville, and the IW Residences in Silver Spring. Here is a list of recommended donations.

For more information on opportunities at the Essential Needs Center, please contact Alice Soloman, asoloman@iworksmc.org.

Our shelters also have a big need for donated meals to feed our residents. Meals can be cooked yourself or they can be purchased. You are welcome to stay and serve if you would like.

Supportive Housing and Emergency Shelters

In our Supportive Housing and Emergency Shelters, clients at times can feel isolated and welcome a chance to feel a sense of community. Volunteers can play a big role in building that feeling of belonging.

For example, families are invited to host a BBQ or a family fun day at any of our Shared Supportive Housing locations, each of which serves seven older adult men or women with disabilities and vulnerabilities. Children must be 10 years or older and accompanied by an adult to volunteer with the Shared Supportive Housing programs.

Are you crafty?

Our shelters and residences are looking for families to host arts and crafts or other creative sessions for our neighbors. Families can volunteer at either of the Women Centers (in Rockville and Derwood), which provide shelter for 35 women each, New Leaf Shelter in Rockville, which serves 30 people, or at the IW Residences (Silver Spring), which serves about 20 individuals with disabilities and/or histories of chronic homelessness. Children must be 14 years or older to volunteer in a shelter.

For more information on volunteering opportunities, please contact Nicole Josey, njosey@iworksmc.org.

Thank you for sharing your sense of community and caring for our clients this summer.