IFC Volunteers

1st Annual Turkey Bowl

2011-11-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

The 1^st Turkey Bowl Lacrosse Tournament being held on Sunday, November 20^th in Cary. It is committed to helping the IFC this year with food and financial needs. You can help by hosting a shift at the table that day from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm during the event. Six or more volunteers are needed to help with the shifts listed below:

8:30am – 10:30am

10:30am –12:30pm Chris & Cheryl Moran

12:30pm – 2:30pm

2:30pm – 4:30pm

A table, IFC literature and a table banner will be provided. IFC will receive can goods and proceeds after costs are paid that can be matched by The Stewards Funds $100,000 challenge. We might help transport some of the food donations in our vehicles depending on the quantities. More information about this event can be found at http://ivylax.com/

Please call 919.929.6380 x. 30 or email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org to volunteer at this event. Thank you.

Volunteer at Project Connect

2011-09-15T17:58:00.001-07:00

If you are interested in volunteering for a one-time event, here's an option you may want to consider.

Get Involved! Volunteer at Project Connect!

The 5^th annual Project Connect (formerly Project Homeless Connect) is a one-day, one-stop event that provides a broad range of services to people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. Come volunteer and be a part of this significant event! Project Connect will be held on Thursday, October 13^th from 9:00am-3:30pm at the Hargraves Community Center, 216 N. Roberson Street, Chapel Hill. For more information and to sign-up to volunteer, visit: www.phc-orange.org Questions? Email Megan Wooley at mwooley@townofchapelhill.org We hope to see you there!

Food Sorter Needed - Fridays

2011-09-06T17:21:00.001-07:00

We have an opening for a food sorter on Fridays from 1-3 p.m. The volunteer for this position would work directly with our kitchen coordinator to sort and organize food. This is a weekly assignment. You are interested in getting more information about this position, please email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 919.929.6380 x. 30.

Food Pick up and Deliver Opening

2011-09-02T17:02:00.001-07:00

We are in urgent need of a volunteer to pick up/deliver food from a local grocery store to Community Kitchen on Friday evenings. The pick up is at 9:00 p.m. If you are available and interested in helping fill this need, please call Karen at 919.929.6380 x.30 or email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org

Thank you for considering this opportunity.

Orientation for New Volunteers

2011-08-06T06:50:00.000-07:00

Orientation for New Volunteers will be held on Tuesday, August 9th at 7:00 pm. This orientation will be at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro. If you are interested in getting more information about the IFC and current volunteer opportunities, feel free to join us. We do ask that you reserve a spot by emailing volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or 919.929.6380 x. 30.

Thank you.

Food Pick Up and Deliver Opening

2011-08-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Volunteers:

We are in need of the following help:

Farmer Foodshare at the Chapel Hill Farmers' Market is looking urgently for a volunteer to pick up local fresh food donated by farmers and shoppers and bring it over to the IFC Community Kitchen.

Position starts on Saturday, August 6th through Mid September. The pick up time is at Noon. The Chapel Hill Farmers' Market is located in the University Mall parking lot behind A Southern Season and next to the K&W Cafeteria. The boxes are not generally more than 15-20lbs each and we usually get about 3-5 boxes of delicious local fresh food.

If you have availability and are interested in this position, please let me know by calling 919.929.6380 x. 30. As always, thank you for supporting the IFC.

Receptionist - Thursday Afternoons Needed

2011-07-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

A volunteer is needed for Thursday afternoons in our Outreach Program at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro. If you have a strong desire to work with all people, we have an opening as receptionist in our Carrboro office. The receptionist answers the phone, welcomes clients, registers clients and assists volunteers/clients with questions and services.

This position reports to our Community Services Director. Hours of volunteering are typically from 1 - 5 pm. If you are interested in this position, please feel free to email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 919.929.6380 x. 30. Thank you for considering this and all volunteer openings at the IFC.

Volunteer Orientation

2011-07-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

We had an outstanding attendance this week at orientation. Over 22 potential volunteers attended the session. There are many opportunities at the IFC, and we try to place our volunteers in a 2-3 week time frame.

We try very hard to find the perfect position for each volunteer by matching interests with the needs of the agency. Thank you for your continued support and volunteer interests. Contact the IFC is you are interested in volunteering by emailing: volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 929.6380 x. 30.

Keep up the good work.

Thank You Summer Volunteers

2011-07-05T17:40:00.001-07:00

Hello Summer Volunteers:

Thank you for your help. It's hard to believe that we are in the first week of July. We continue to feed people, stock shelves and interview clients because of your help. Our volunteers are dedicated individuals full of compassion and love for their work. We are thankful for your continued commitment to the IFC and the services we offer to the community.

We are thankful for each of you. The IFC could not do what we do without you. Thank you.

Food Pick Up and Delivery Needs

2011-06-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

Community Kitchen is looking for help with food pick up and delivery. We are in need of a long-term commitment (3+ months) by individuals that have availability on Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings. Pick up is from a local establishment at 10 a.m. and delivery is to Community Kitchen on Rosemary/Columbia Streets. Qualified volunteers may be able to use our company van for the pick up.

If you have availability, please feel free to email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 919.929.6380 x. 30. Thank you for considering the volunteer opportunity.

Karen

Volunteers Needed

2011-04-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

There are currently opening at our Carrboro Pantry. Morning and afternoon positions are available in 2-4 shifts. Positions include: accepting, sorting and stocking donated food and interviewing clients.

There are also summer openings for our Project Rush Hour Program. This program is designed for undergraduate and graduate level students.

Food pick up and delivery positions are also available at Community House. There are Tuesday and Thursday morning positions available.

If interested in any of the above positions, please contact Karen at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call the volunteer office 919.929.6380 x. 30. Thank you for considering.

Karen

Volunteer Orientation

2011-04-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Volunteer orientation is scheduled for Tuesday. April 12th at 7:00 p.m. We will meet in the conference room at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro. Come and learn more about the IFC and the clients we serve.

Please email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org to confirm attendance at the orientation. Thank you.

Karen

Food Pick Up and Deliver Openings

2011-03-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends:

There are a couple new pick up and delivery positions that are opened. The pick up day and time include: Tuesday & Thursday at 10:00 am for a local establishment in Meadowmont. This pick up is for pastries. You can take one day or the other if interested. Please call 919.929.6380 x. 30 to get more information. You can also email: volunteer@ifcmailbox.org

Thank you for considering this opportunity. We appreciate your help in bring good foods to Community Kitchen. The staff appreciates your help.

Best regards,

Karen

Volunteer Coordinator

Food Pick Up Position - FILLED

2011-03-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you, volunteers, for coming forward to help in all areas of IFC volunteer positions. We have had success in filling the Thursday morning Trader Joe's food pick up. The staff would like to thank all our volunteers for their dedication and commitment to helping the homeless population in our community.

Without you, we could not reach our goals. Many blessings and thank you to everyone.

Peace,

Karen

Orientation for New Volunteers

2011-03-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome all new volunteers. Please join us on Tuesday, March 8th at 7:00 p.m. Orientation is held at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro. You can complete an application online or complete an application at orientation.

Please RSVP in the volunteer office by calling 929.6380 x. 30 or email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org if you plan on attending orientation.

Opening for Food Pick up Volunteer

2011-02-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

We have an opening for a Thursday evening food pick up volunteer. The food pick up is from a local grocery store and is then delivered to Community Kitchen. The time for pickup is around 9:00 p.m. If you have availability to help with this pick up, please email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org

Thank you.

Seeking A Volunteer for Food Pick up

2011-02-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

We have an opening for a driver and delivery person on Thursdays at 9:00 am. The volunteer would pick up food from a local market and deliver it to Community Kitchen on Rosemary/Columbia St.

It takes about 1 hour to complete the task. Long-term volunteers with good driving records may be eligible to use the IFC van for this position. Please call 919.929.6380 x. 30 or email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org for more information. Position is available immediately.

Thank you for considering.

Orientation For New Volunteers

2011-02-05T12:55:00.000-08:00

Orientation for new volunteers is scheduled for this Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 110 W. Main Street. There are some new volunteer positions that have just opened at Community Services in Carrboro. Come and learn about the new opportunities, plus some existing opportunities.

We will start at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs conference room in our Carrboro office. Orientation will last about an hour. You can either complete an application online and email it to volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or fill one out at orientation. Please call 929.6380 x. 30 to register.

As always, thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer at the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service. We appreciate all our volunteers and look forward to new help. Thank you.

Peace,

Karen

ORIENTATION FOR VOLUNTEERS - CANCELLED

2011-01-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Orientation for all new volunteers has been cancelled for this evening - January 11, 2011 due to the weather. The next orientation will be held, Tuesday, February 8, 2011.

For further questions, please contact Karen Carr at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 919.929.6380 x. 30. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.

Karen

Orientation Tuesday, January 11th

2011-01-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

Orientation for new volunteers will be held this Tuesday, January 11th at 7:00 p.m. at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro. Volunteers will be able to complete an application during the session or can complete one on-line before the orientation session. Email all applications to volunteer@ifcmailbox.org.

Come and learn more about the IFC and volunteer opportunities. Most urgent needs include: Thursday morning 9:00 am pick up/delivery person, Friday afternoon 2:45 pm pick up/delivery person and Monday (first Monday of each month) evening meal group.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Karen at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 919.929.6380 x. 30. As always, thank you for considering volunteer opportunities at the IFC.

Monday Evening Meal Group Needed

2011-01-09T09:52:00.001-08:00

Volunteer Meal Group is needed to prepare, serve and clean up for the dinner meal on the first Monday of each month. Time commitment is about 3 hours from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. If you have a group that is interested in this position, please contact volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 919.929.6380 x. 30 ASAP.

Thank you.

Urgent Need

2010-12-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

The IFC medical clinic is searching volunteer psychiatrists for Tuesday evenings. The time commitment is one evening per month for a 2-3 hour shift. We are in need of people with experience in mental health care. Compassion, care and a desire to help those in need are qualities that are most needed in this volunteer position.

If you have the skill set and are able to donate a few hours per month to help those in need, please call 919.929.6380 x. 30 or email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for considering this position.

Karen

New Year's Day Meals

2010-12-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

The IFC has been blessed to have all holiday meals covered this year. We are very thankful and grateful for all the help and organizing that has gone into the planning of meals during this holiday season.

If you are interested in volunteering in a long-term position, please feel free to contact Karen Carr at 919.929.6380 x. 30 or email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org.

Thank you for the many hours of volunteer work during 2010. We wish you a Happy New Year and Joyful 2011.

Peace.

Happy Holidays Volunteers

2010-12-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all our volunteers at the IFC. We have been truly blessed this year with volunteers in all facilities at the IFC. Thank you for your time, energy and positive attitudes. Without all of you, the IFC would not be as successful as we currently are with providing food, housing assistance, outreach services, pantry items and general support to those in need.

May your Holidays be filled with joy and peace. May the New Year bring great happiness and find you healthy and happy. Thank you!

Thank You Volunteers

2010-11-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

We wanted to say a quick Thank You to all our Volunteers for your support and willingness to log in so many countless hours of volunteering. The IFC couldn't do it without you!! Thank you.

22nd Annual RSVVP

2010-11-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, November 9th, you can support the efforts of the IFC by dining out. Participating restaurants in the area are giving 10% of total proceeds to the IFC in support of hungry individuals.

A list of participating restaurants can be found on our website: www.ifcweb.org. Please join the effort to fight hunger on November 9th. Thank you for your support.

Volunteer Orientation

2010-11-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome Interested Volunteers. We are holding orientation for all new volunteer this Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 p.m. Orientation is at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro. You can complete an application online by going to www.ifcweb.org. Please register for orientation by e-mailing Karen Carr at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Thank you for your interest in the IFC.

Volunteer Needed

2010-10-26T16:14:00.001-07:00

If you have availability on Friday evenings between 9 - 9:45 pm and would like to help with food pick up and delivery, please contact the IFC. We are in need of someone with a larger vehicle to transport food from a local store to the Community Kitchen on the corner of Rosemary and Columbia.

This volunteer opportunity will take about 45 minutes to complete. If interested, please contact me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or phone 919.929.6380 x. 30. Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity.

Karen

One-Time Volunteer Opportunity

2010-10-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Project Homeless Connect has opportunities for individuals that want to volunteer for a one-time commitment. The event is scheduled for Thursday, November 4 from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm. This event is hosted at the Hargraves Center in Chapel Hill.

It is a one-day, one-stop opportunity for individuals that are homeless or those that are near homelessness to take advance of services in the community. Services include: medical, dental, housing, food, clothing, etc. To volunteer or get more information about this event, please visit www.phc-orange.org. Hope to see you there!

Thank you.

Karen

Orientation, Tuesday, September 14th

2010-09-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

Orientation for new volunteers will be held Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 p.m. Join us at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro to learn more about the IFC and the volunteer opportunities that are available. Orientation is in the upstairs conference room. You can complete an application on line or fill one out at orientation.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to meeting you.

Karen

One-Time Volunteer Opportunity

2010-09-10T10:56:00.001-07:00

Welcome Volunteers!

If you are searching for a one-time opportunity to volunteer in the community, there is an upcoming event that may interest you. The Fourth Annual Project Homeless Connect (PHC) event is scheduled for Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm at the Hargraves Center in Chapel Hill.

This event is a one-day, one-stop opportunity for people living in Orange County who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to receive a number of various services free of cost. Some services include: medical, dental, housing information, social service benefits, legal services, mental health care and many other services. Services are held in close proximity to make it easier to get care and information.

Many volunteers are needed to help with set up, running the event and clean up. If you are interested in getting more information about this event and/or volunteer opportunities, please visit the website at www.phc-orange.org

Thank you for your support of the IFC and for your continued volunteer commitments that make our everyday lives of service more productive and rewarding.

Food Pick Up Person Needed

2010-09-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Volunteers:

Our Community Kitchen is in need of a pick up and delivery person on Thursday mornings. The position is available immediately. The pick up is at 9:00 am at Trader Joe's in Chapel Hill. Food is collected and delivered to the kitchen on Rosemary & Columbia Streets.

If you are interested in the position, please feel free to call 929.6380 x. 30 or email volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Thank you for considering this opportunity.

Best regards.

Karen

Food Sorter Needed

2010-07-21T07:59:00.001-07:00

There is an opening to help sort food on Monday afternoons from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Community Kitchen. This person would work along beside our kitchen coordinator, Donna Bradley. The ability to organize food on shelves, storage areas and freezers is important. The volunteer would inspect food items and determine the conditions for freshness and usability.

If you are interested in helping fill this position, please contact volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call the volunteer office 929.6380 x. 30 ASAP. Thank you for your consideration.

Cooking Groups Needed

2010-07-06T16:29:00.000-07:00

Community Kitchen is looking for help to prepare lunch and/or dinner meals on the 29th and 30th of each month. Both meals are prepared using food available in the kitchen. Groups can be assisted with the menu or come up with there own creations. Our kitchen coordinator, Donna, will give guidance and assistance in the meal preparation.

Meals are prepared, served and then cleaned up afterwards. This is a great opportunity for faith-based groups, businesses or any other groups of 5-6 people. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Karen Carr at 929.6380 x. 30 or email at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org

As always, thank you for your dedication and support of Community Kitchen.

June Orientation

2010-06-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

CALLING ALL NEW VOLUNTEERS

Tuesday, June 8th is the next orientation for new volunteers. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. The location is at 110 W. Main Street, Carrboro. If you are interested in being a new volunteer, you can complete an application on line by following the links under the volunteer section on the website www.ifcweb.org. Feel free to e-mail the application back to me or simply come to orientation and complete the form during the information session.

We are looking for volunteers specifically in the following areas: meal monitor for lunch and dinner times at Community House and resident assistants at the HomeStart. These positions have detailed training, so you will be well prepared to take on the position.

As always, thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you at orientation.

Best wishes,

Karen

Summer Volunteers Needed

2010-05-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that May is half over. The IFC has been holding steady with volunteers. We are so appreciative of all the help we get on a daily basis throughout the agency. As the summer approaches, we will see a slight decline in student volunteers.

There will be openings in some positions. If any volunteers would like to pick up extra hours or if there are new volunteers that are interested in summer work, please feel free to call me at 929.6380 x. 30.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support of the IFC. You are a valued part of the agency. Please email me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org for information on current openings.

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week

2010-04-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Volunteers. This is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. We are so blessed to have many wonderful volunteers.

You are appreciated for all you do at the IFC. We thank you for the many hours of sorting food, answering foods, packaging personal care items, monitoring our buildings and preparing meals.

We can't do it without you!!! Thank you.

Social Worker Needed

2010-03-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

We are looking for a social worker that would be interested in volunteering a few hours each week to work with in our program for women and/or children. This position is designed to help women as they work towards personal goals. The social worker would assume a leadership role under the direction of our Residential Services Director.

If you are a retired social worker or someone with social work experience, please contact me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org for information about this position. Thank you.

Karen

Volunteers Needed

2010-03-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

There are positions available at HomeStart for Residential Assistant. This position is an evening opportunity and it involves working with our women and/or children.

The duties include: sort mail, accept donations, greet visitors, monitor computers, manage activities in the building, receive and record donations. The times run from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm or 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, but can be flexible to meet your schedule. There are positions available most evenings during the week.

Qualifications include: friendly demeanor, ability to work with women/children, ability to listen carefully to visitors, clients and guests, etc. A background check will be completed on all qualified applicants.

If you are interested in this position or other positions at the IFC, please contact Karen Carr at 919.929.6380 x. 30 or e-mail volunteer@ifcmailbox.org.

Ice Cream Social

2010-03-06T11:50:00.001-08:00

Come Celebrate Spring.

IFC Staff and Volunteers are invited to an Ice Cream social at Maple View Farm on Thursday, March 25th. The social will be held at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions about the social, please contact Shannon at our Main Street office.

Mostly this will bring more Spring like weather to the area!!

Volunteer Stats for February

2010-03-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

Here are the reporteds statistics for the month of February:

New Inquiries (phone, email, etc.) - 28
Number of individuals attending orientation - 16
Number of volunteers placed - 13

We have had another great month for placing volunteers. The agency has started creating a wait list and a substitute list for several positions. There are some openings that are available at this time. They include: Meal Monitor at Community Kitchen, Resident Assistants at HomeStart and Drivers for food pick up and delivery (substitute list). If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. As always, thank you for your continued support of the Inter-Faith Council.

Volunteer Stats for January

2010-02-19T11:02:00.001-08:00

Below are listed the stats for January Volunteers:

New volunteer inquiries: 30
Number of people that attended orientation: 22
Number of people placed during the month: 13

We have had great success with the placement and retention of volunteers over the past year. The agency is developing a wait list and a substitute list for new volunteers. We are pleased with the number of great volunteers that have come forward to serve in the agency. Thank you for the continued success of our volunteer program.

If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer program, please e-mail me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Thank you, again.

In Memory of A Long-Time Volunteer

2010-02-15T13:02:00.000-08:00

The staff and volunteers of the Inter-Faith Council are saddened at the loss of one of our long-time volunteers. Judy Gail Siegel was involved in the fatal hit and run accident on Interstate 40 last Wednesday morning. There are no words to express the loss of Judy's life.

Judy was a caring, loving individual that donated many hours of her time over the years to the agency. She enjoyed writing thank you notes to our donors, sorting food in the pantry, packaging holiday meals and assembling orientation packets for new volunteers. She was always willing to help wherever she was needed.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy's family, as they deal with their grief. Judy will be sincerely missed, but not forgotten. Thank you, Judy, for your dedication and loyalty to those in need.

Weekend Receptionists Needed

2010-01-21T06:02:00.000-08:00

Community House is looking for volunteers to staff the receptionist desk on the weekends. There are 3 open shifts on Saturday: 9 am -12, 12-3 pm and 3-6 pm and on Sunday: 9 am -12. Receptionist answers the phone, accepts food donations, assists guests with questions and other duties as needed.

If you enjoy working with people and making a difference in the lives of others, please consider these positions. Training will be provided to give you all the tools needed to make you successful. Please contact Karen at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org if you would like more information about these positions.

Volunteer Statistics

2010-01-14T05:11:00.000-08:00

Here are the volunteer statistics for the months of November & December:

November:

New Volunteer Inquiries: 75
Number of People Attending Orientation: 17
Number of People Placed in Positions: 19

December:

New Volunteer Inquiries: 69
Number of People Attending Orientation: 18
Number of People Placed in Positions: 8

There was a slight spike in volunteer inquiries in the month of November, most likely due to the Thanksgiving holiday. You will notice that less people were placed in December than the previous month. This is due to the demands on time and volunteer/staff availability during the December holidays.

The agency is doing a great job in filling volunteer positions at all three locations. We anticipate an increase in filled positions during the month of January. A new position titled "Residential Assistant" was created to give more support to our staff at HomeStart. These openings are evening positions for individuals that work during the daytime hours. This will give volunteers that want to get involved with the agency more opportunities to do so. Other positions that are also available include weekend receptionists at Community House and substitute drivers for food pick up/delivery.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at the IFC, please email me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Thank you, again, for your support and continued dedication.

Happy New Year...

Until next time...Peace,

Karen

Happy January Birthdays

2010-01-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

To all our volunteers that are celebrating birthdays during this month of January:

We hope your birthday month is everything you want it to be. May it be filled with all your favorites including: family, friends and good memories. As always, thank you for your dedication and faithfulness to the Inter-Faith Council. We appreciate all the efforts of our volunteers and are thankful for your time and effort.

Best wishes.....

Keeping People Warm This Winter

2009-12-31T03:54:00.000-08:00

Hat Donations from Volunteers

Our volunteers do more than just answer phones, serve and sort food. We had a wonderful donation of 30+ hats last week from volunteers. These hats were handmade, knitted caps for men, women and children. They were beautifully crafted using various colors of yarn. Each hat had it own design and were original in nature.

The hats were distributed to those in need and are currently keeping many heads warm. The IFC community welcomed the donation. Staff members sorted through the beautiful hats and distributed them with the same love and care in which they were designed.

Many thanks to the gracious donors and to all our volunteers. Thank you!!!

December Birthdays

2009-12-19T13:05:00.000-08:00

To all our volunteers that are celebrating birthdays during the month of December:

May your day be filled with family, friends and many wonderful memories. We appreciate your dedication to the Inter-Faith Council and thank you for your many hours of service. Have a great birthday month.

Best Wishes.....

Perks for IFC Volunteers

2009-12-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

Did you know that if you are an active volunteer at the IFC you qualify for tickets at Playmakers Repertory Company? According to American Theatre Magazine, Playmakers is “One of America’s leading theatre companies.” This theatre is in our own backyard and the talent is amazing. There are various performances and show times to view this outstanding talent.

We recently took advantage of seeing The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by David Edgar from the novel by Charles Dickens. This play is a two-part, rotating performance that has been playing from November 11 and continues through December 20, 2009.

Other upcoming Playmaker performances include: All My Sons playing January 27-February 14, 2010 and The Importance of Being Earnest playing March 3- March 21, 2010. You may want to check out the website to get specifics about each of these upcoming plays: http://www.playmakersrep.org/

All current/active volunteers that are interested in getting more information about tickets to the above Playmaker performances can e-mail me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. You will be notified via e-mail when tickets become available. There are limited dates and times that are offered to volunteers, so hopefully one of the designated performances will fit into your schedule.

As always, thank you for your service and Happy Holidays. Until next time….Peace,

Karen

Being Thankful

2009-11-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

Forever Thankful

We Are Thankful..

for volunteers that spend countless hours sorting food, stocking shelves and preparing a meal……

for volunteers with open ears while conversing with our clients.…..

for volunteers that scrub a soiled pan and then smile as another is added to the stack…

for volunteers that help our residents polish a resume, assist in mock interviews and search the web for potential jobs…

for volunteers that answer the phone, guide guests through the dining room and pick up food from late evening donations…..

for volunteers that work behind the scenes in data entry, golf tournament promotion and crop walk coordination…..

for volunteers that extend kindness, honor and respect to all peoples…..

for volunteers that support the mission and goals of the agency……

for all past, present and future volunteers…….

for the unwavering dedication of volunteers at all levels in this agency…..

Forever thankful…have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.

Until next time…Peace,

Karen

Volunteer Statistics

2009-11-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

Our Volunteers Count

Have you ever wondered how many people call the volunteer office each month to inquire about volunteer opportunities? Or how many people attend orientation each month? Or perhaps how many people are placed into volunteer positions in a given month? Here are some interesting statistics from the month of October:

New Volunteer Inquiries (phone, e-mail, drop in) - 58 people
Number of People attending Orientation - 30 people
Number of People placed in volunteer positions - 15 people

Although keeping up with inquiries and placement of people is at times a challenge, it’s also very rewarding to know that people in our community are seeking to help. We do our best to answer all calls, encourage individuals to attend orientation and attempt to place people in positions that best suit the individual needs and the needs of the agency.

Over the past year, the agency has taken a more focused step at matching needs and making sure that volunteers are trained and placed in positions that can really make a difference. We depend on our volunteers to help the staff in day-to-day services. Examples include: interviewing clients, answering phones, cooking meals, picking up food, sorting food, etc. Our attempts to better train and educate our volunteers have increased continuity, created a clearer understanding of roles and responsibilities and opened volunteer communications.

Our goal is to be able to help all volunteers find their niche in the agency, whether it’s working directly with clients or behind the scenes. In any event, we thank you, all our volunteers, for your dedication and support. Due to the large number of inquiries and attendance at recent orientations, we are filling many positions at record levels. We are thankful for this blessing. There are always positions that become vacant or new positions that are created.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at the IFC, please email me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Thank you, again, for your support.

Until next time…Peace,

Karen

Orientation for New Volunteers

2009-11-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or just interested in gaining information about the IFC, please come to one of the scheduled new volunteer orientations. The orientations are held on the second Tuesday of each month. The next orientation is this coming Tuesday, November 10th. It will be held at 110 W. Main Street in Carrboro from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the second floor conference room. If you are coming by car, there will be parking available in the back of the building.

Chris Moran, IFC Executive Director will offer information about the IFC and answer your questions. Volunteer applications can be completed on line and forwarded to volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Applications will also be available the evening of orientation. As always, thank you for your interest; and we look forward to meeting you at orientation.

Justice United

2009-11-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

Who Is Justice United?

Justice United is a broad-based, non-partisan group of individuals from various organizations, faith-based communities and non-profit groups that have come together to address social justice issues. Understanding social justice issues and how they impact our community is the key to initiating change. Justice United supporters are dedicated individuals that agree to address the following issues: education, affordable housing, healthcare, living wages/jobs, immigrant families, environmental justice and the equity/quality of life for rural Orange County.

On October 26, 2009, Orange County Justice United held a ceremony and public action meeting at the United Church of Chapel Hill. This ceremony was an opportunity for organizations to accept an active role in becoming aware of and addressing the issues that affect the low- and middle-income families in Orange County.

Inter-Faith Council for Social Service accepted the invitation to be a member of Justice United. Staff and volunteers from the IFC were present at the meeting. It was wonderful to see a large number of IFC volunteers taking an active role in addressing these issues. Volunteers stood not only with their faith-based communities, but with other community organizations as well. As the name of each organization was announced, individuals from that group stood (literally) in solidarity to accept an active role in Justice United.

It was a powerful evening with witness stories on children’s safety issues, education, neighborhood development and living wages. Stories were told by Juan Carlos Nunes, Habitat for Humanity, Kevin Nicks, Parents Advocating for Children Together, Lisa Williams, Pine Knolls Neighborhood Association and Kelly Dunlop, Catholic Newman Student Center & Parish. The focus of the evening was to educate people and have a call to action. The call to action included written action items for each of the social justice concerns outlined above. With the help of team members, the group will continue to explore these issues in the coming years and make a call for change. If you have a passion to learn more about the social justice issues that face our community, you can get involved. To learn more about Justice United, go to the website: http://sites.google.com/site/ocociaf/home

The time for change is now. You can be part of this change in Orange County. As always, you can email me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call for more information on volunteer opportunities. Until next time…Peace.

Karen

Project Homeless Connect

2009-10-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Third Annual Project Homeless Connect (PHC) was held on Thursday, October 8th. The event was sponsored by the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness with funding from The United Way and many private donations. The event ran from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and was held in the Hargraves Center and St. Joseph’s Church in Chapel Hill. Services included: medical, dental, housing, food, coats, mental health services, foot care, haircuts, child care, etc. There were 50+ providers that volunteered their time and talent to help homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness. There were 235 homeless individuals that were helped that day.

The IFC has participated in this event for the past three years. There were several staff members and IFC volunteers that spent the majority of their day serving a community in need. The Inter-Faith Council was represented by Chris Moran, Kristin Lavergne, Laurie Tucker and Angela MacDonald. The IFC table had a steady stream of guests inquiring about available services and how to get support and information. Clothing vouchers, emergency services, food pantry information, cell phones and many various services were offered to people needing assistance.

Many hours of preparation and planning went into this huge project. Laurie Tucker, IFC Residential Director and I have served on the steering committee for PHC for the past three years. Planning for this event starts in January and continues until the day of the event. Food, personal care kits, coats, printing, supplies, etc. are donated by businesses, faith-based communities and individuals. It is truly a group effort that helps make this event successful year after year.

One of the best things about the culture of the IFC is that staff and volunteers see a need by individuals in the community and work as a collective group to meet that need. This event is another example of a community coming together, addressing a need or problem and striving to find a solution. Thank you to all our IFC volunteers that help make this event successful. If you are interested in learning more about this event or how to volunteer at the IFC, please email me at volunteer@ifcmailbox.org.

Immediate Needs

2009-09-25T11:56:00.001-07:00

FOOD PICK UP/DELIVERY

One volunteer is needed immediately for food pick up and delivery on Fridays from 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm. You can ride with another volunteer to Ram's Head on UNC Campus, pick up the food items and return to Community Kitchen. There is help unloading the items when you return to the kitchen. If interested, please contact volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 929.6380 ext. 30

RECEPTIONISTS

Afternoon receptionists at Community House are needed. Duties include: answering the phone, directing people, offering assistance to guests, etc. Three-hour shifts are available. If you are interested in learning more about these positions, please contact volunteer@ifcmailbox.org or call 929.6380 ext. 30

Thank you for considering volunteering at the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service.

Compassion

2009-09-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Compassion is having an emotional connection for the suffering of others. Our volunteers try to take away or alleviate that painful suffering by preparing a simple meal, stocking pantry shelves or listening intently to someone in need.

We cannot take away the suffering or completely solve the problem, but we can be present and active for others. By being present, we acknowledge a person's life. As volunteers in a growing and ever-changing community, we see the face of fear, the face of helplessness and the face of rejection when we look into the eyes of those we serve. The pain of the poor can mirror our own pain if we allow ourselves to connect and see the similarities in our own lives. We recognize how easy our own circumstances can change by the loss of a job, the death of a family member or the unfortunate chain reaction of a poor economy.

We push forward, connect with others, volunteer our time and financially support agencies that offer help. That's what our volunteers do at the Inter-Faith Council. Our volunteers strive to do their best by committing to a specific area of service, sharing conversation with our clients and embracing compassion and hope in daily service. At the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, we connect volunteers' needs with those needs of the agency. We continue to use our volunteers as catalysts to change the face of homelessness in Orange County.

If you have a story you would like to share about your experience as a volunteer or if you would like to begin your service as a volunteer, please forward your thoughts to volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Thank you for all that you do as volunteers at the IFC. Until next time...Peace.

Volunteers

2009-08-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is the first of many blogs that will help us stay connected. The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service is an agency that depends on so many wonderful volunteers. As many of you already know, your time is the essence of our success.

What is time?

Time (tim) n. 1. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future. 2. One of several instances. 3. A suitable or opportune moment or season. *

*American Heritage Dictionary. Second College Edition. Houghton Miffline Company. Boston

Our volunteers help with the day-to-day operations of this agency. To all our volunteers that give countless hours of sorting food, stacking shelves, cooking meals, picking-up/delivering food, cleaning the kitchen, answering telephones, filing records, monitoring meals, listening to those in need, assisting in the food pantry, mentoring, etc. we say, "Thank you for a job well done".

You are one of several individuals throughout the day that make serving others so rewarding. You are the past, present and the future of this organization. You are appreciated and needed. Thank you, friend, for sharing your time with the larger community. Until next time...

Peace