The donations charities need most

Volunteers are important, too

Although cash donations are vital, nonprofits can't function without volunteers.

"Time or money -- whichever is more compelling to the giver," says Nick Samaniego, the director of public affairs for the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles. "We are a volunteer-led organization."

Doris Wong-Estridge of Seattle's Art With Heart agrees.

"Particularly with this economy, money is critical . . . " but time is equally valuable in many respects."

"Volunteers do more than give their time," Wong-Estridge says. They help by spreading the word about the organization and expanding the donor base. "It's the ripple effect," she says. (Art With Heart provides services to youths in crisis because of traumatic events or homelessness.)

If you want to volunteer your time:

• Be prepared to go through training before you begin. The Red Cross, for example, makes a huge investment in readiness by training volunteers who help families that have suffered house fires or natural disasters. Volunteers assist at the scene and afterward help the families re-establish themselves.

• Don't wait for a big holiday. Food banks tend to be overwhelmed with volunteers at Thanksgiving, for example, but will need help in early to mid-December.

• Find an organization and tasks within it that suit your skills and interests. For example, food banks might need accounting help.

• Start small. If you already have a busy schedule, volunteer your time for an hour or two per week or a day per month.

• Know that volunteer jobs aren't always exciting. If the work needs doing, do it even if it's dull.

Food, clothing also needed

With financial donations in decline, donations of food and clothing are crucial.

"We need food, funds and people's time," says Camille Wells, the marketing director of Food Lifeline in Seattle. "Donated food is at the heart of our work, but we could not do it without volunteers who work in our warehouses every day."

(Under the umbrella of the national organization, Feeding America, Food Lifeline distributes fresh and packaged food to food banks in 17 Washington counties. )

This year, more people need services. Wells noted that "in the first half of 2008, we had a 22% increase in demand for food." (See "10 donations food banks need most".)

Other things to consider:

• Food and clothing donations are accepted by most charities year-round. During the holidays, new toys and gifts for children also are needed. In addition, groups such as St. Vincent de Paul seek practical gifts for adults -- gloves, scarves and coats, for instance.

• Each time you're at a grocery store, add one or two items that you can donate, such as rice, canned vegetables, instant soup and peanut butter. At the end of the month, take everything you've collected to a food bank.

• Donate gas cards. Food Lifeline, for instance, has a fleet of trucks that picks up donated food and distributes it. The increase in gas prices this year put the organization over its budget. Even though gas prices have dropped, it is still trying to catch up.

No matter where you turn, there is always a need, and as Bray, of Seattle's St. Vincent de Paul Society, points out, "There is something everyone can do."

Published Dec. 4, 2008

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