“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help,” said Heather French Henry. Helping others by giving time, talent, and effort can be extremely fulfilling. Lots of people want to aid others in need, but it can be hard to find opportunities that truly make an impact. Los Angeles County is filled with companies dedicated to creating positive change that are in need of help. Whether it’s for National Honor Society service hours, or just wanting to give out of kindness, here are three reliable places to volunteer around the Santa Clarita Valley. 

The first organization is Children’s Hunger Fund, located at 13931 Balboa Blvd, Sylmar, CA 91342. They focus on turning “passion into action,” by creating Food Paks for families in need across the globe. These Food Paks give people temporary relief from hunger with nutritious, nonperishable food to help them get by. Once finished, they are delivered to local churches and pastors, then more volunteers hand-deliver the Paks, along with some joy, to people who need it. Children’s Hunger Fund is passionate about the gospel of Christ. They use their faith to inspire hope in these suffering communities. After each shift, the staff prays for the people involved, and the families that will receive aid. To volunteer, go to the Children’s Hunger Fund website, click on “Get Involved,” and then scroll down to the Los Angeles County section. Once you have done that, there will be time slots available to choose from. In order to secure your spot, log in or sign up. After everything is set up, a confirmation email will be sent with more information. If you want to give but don’t have the time, a generous donation can still save lives. More information on donating money is also available on their website.

The second organization is SCV Food Pantry, located at 24133 Railroad Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91321. Their goal is to “meet the current and future hunger needs of our neighbors and to ensure self-sufficiency through active partnerships with other organizations within our community.” They assist any family or individual that is in need to reduce hunger in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Food Pantry relies on volunteers to help with food sorting, truck driving, unloading, cleaning, organizing food, and clerical assistance. They are open for volunteering on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, but you must reserve a spot in order to help. You can easily create a reservation by calling (661) 255-5001. For volunteers under 15, an adult must be present. Also, if you are interested, make sure to fill out the volunteer application. You could also donate, as the SCV Food Pantry counts on donations of food and money to keep the organization running. To find out about even more ways to help, such as organizing a food drive, go to their website and click on “Get Involved,” on the upper right-hand side. 

The third organization is Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley, located at 24820 Orchard Village Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Where you go to volunteer may vary depending on how you help. They are a non-profit that serves homeless families, bringing hope and light to people in the Santa Clarita Valley Community. The Founder and President, Karen Olsen, says, “it’s simply astounding to see what happens when compassionate volunteers work together to help their neighbors in need. Over and over again, I see how families become empowered, and communities are transformed.” To get involved, volunteers can provide a prepared meal on Wednesday evenings and/or weekly groceries delivered on Sundays to individuals that can’t do it themselves. Due to COVID, social distancing must be practiced when delivering meals. To start volunteering, go to Family Promise’s “Get Involved” section on the website, and pick a time slot that works best. They also accept donations through wishlists, mail, monetary, or Amazon Smile methods. Their contact phone number is (661) 251-2868 and their email is [email protected] if there are any questions. 

These are just some of the many amazing organizations in need of volunteers and donations. Finding the time to sign up and volunteer can be hard, but it has the possibility to be worth it. Check online or ask friends for more opportunities to serve in Santa Clarita Valley!