By Lauren Antkowiak Giving back to the community is always in season. Volunteer groups, organizations, and charities are looking for help year-round and there are endless ways to contribute. Here are just a few ideas to get you started! During the Fall, there are many opportunities to make your comm...

By Lauren Antkowiak

Giving back to the community is always in season. Volunteer groups, organizations, and charities are looking for help year-round and there are endless ways to contribute. Here are just a few ideas to get you started!

During the Fall, there are many opportunities to make your community a better place. Cleaning up our environment before winter hits Buffalo is one way to help. Grab a rake and visit your neighbor to help them with the leaves in their yard. There is no official group that orchestrates this, but don’t let that stop you. As long as you know your neighbor and ask permission, this is a great way to contribute. This is a way to assist those on land, but don’t forget about our oceans. On September 15th, the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean Up Team will be along Lake Erie in Evans and Dunkirk cleaning up trash. Visit their website at oceanconservancy.org to sign up to join, or to create a team of your own.

If outdoor activities are not your thing, then are other ways to get involved. The Salvation Army of Buffalo is looking for volunteers at their food pantries. Stock the pantry and make grocery bags to hand out to the community. Meals on Wheels is also looking for volunteers to deliver meals to those who are homebound in the community, such as elderly and disabled individuals. The organization Hearts and Hands provides support for older and physically challenged citizens. They arrange rides to medical appointments and social activities, among other things, to keep your neighbors active and healthy. Sign up for any of these opportunities by visiting the websites of these great organizations!

Volunteering is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. And there are so many groups that need help, so find one near you, grab some friends and go make a difference in your community!