Volunteer opportunities in R.I., week of Aug. 16

As the Ocean State, like much of the country, continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economy, food programs remain vital to helping thousands of Rhode Islanders put meals on their table.

In this week’s column, United Way of Rhode Island highlights two organizations seeking volunteers to support these important efforts, along with an opportunity to help the state’s Department of Health.

Farm Fresh R.I. seeks people with food industry experience to help with its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on Tuesdays and Fridays. Volunteers are needed to assist on an assembly packaging line. Additionally, traditional volunteers are needed at the organization’s open markets on Thursdays and Saturdays to assist with customers and health and safety guidelines. Contact Jaime Shinnamon at (401) 312-4250 or Jaime@farmfreshri.org.

Meals on Wheels is recruiting volunteer drivers to aid their meal delivery program that serves homebound seniors and people with disabilities. Various routes across the state are available, and volunteers must be adults. Sign up online or call Ozzie Silva at (401) 351-6700, ext. 11.

The R.I. Department of Health is looking for volunteers to distribute free face masks at beaches and other events. Volunteers will work with Health Department coordinators at each site, and the position does not include any enforcement of mask wearing. Training and materials will be provided. Those interested can sign up through the United Way Volunteer Center at volunteer.uwri.org, or by clicking here.

Additional volunteer opportunities can be found at: volunteer.uwri.org.