Page 50 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2023

GIVING BACK
WHY
VOLUNTEER
story by Victoria Snyder
It’s the holiday season. You’re probably reminiscing on
the year and all of the good things that have happened or reflecting on the bad. You may be thinking of what you’re most grateful for. You also might think of the people who don’t have what you have and wonder how you can help. The answer? Volunteering.
Volunteering helps your community in a multitude of ways. Often, you’re directly helping the people or animals in need in your area. Nonprofits often may not be able to have many employees, so you’re helping them bring their mission to life. Not only does volunteering help others – it helps you! You get to meet new people from different walks of life, and it can keep you active.
You can volunteer in whatever way works best for you, whether that be formally with an organization or helping a neighbor bring their groceries in or walking the dog.
The following list of volunteer options on the Coast is nowhere near comprehensive. Please take a look at the many nonprofits and charities listed in this Giving Back section and even do your own research online for nonprofits near you – if any speak to you, look into if they use volunteers!
WHERE TO VOLUNTEER
34th Street Wholistic Gardens & Education Center:
34thstreetgardens.com
Back Bay Mission: thebackbaymission.org
Extra Table: extratable.org
Feed My Sheep: feedmysheepgulfport.org
Feeding the Gulf Coast: feedingthegulfcoast.org
Gone Fishing Ministries: gonefishingministries.com
Gulf Coast Community Ministries:
gulfcoastministry.org
Lasagna Love: lasagnalove.org
Loaves and Fishes: loavesbiloxi.com
Seashore Highlands Retirement Community:
www.mss.org/seashore
Senior Center of South Pearl River County:
prcseniorcenter.org
The King’s Kitchen: Facebook @The King’s Kitchen
The Lord is My Help: thelordismyhelp.org
The Salvation Army:
southernusa.salvationarmy.org/ms-gulf-coast United Way of South Mississippi: unitedwaysm.org
50 | December 2023
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living