Volunteer hours: Nonprofits needing help to help

Between COVID-19, Hurricane Ian and tougher economics times, nonprofits have been hit time and again during the past half-decade.

While there are hundreds of organizations in Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota counties seeking manpower and an increasing population in need, there are fewer volunteers.

Some stopped after the pandemic, others moved away after Hurricane Ian, snowbird volunteers have gone back north, while others are struggling themselves due to a combinations of health concerns, storm damage, insurance hikes — or, at this time of year, summer vacation.

Leaders in regional nonprofits accept that reality and harbor no ill feelings about that, but they are still hoping other people will step into the volunteer void.

“No question: 30% of our volunteers are gone now,” FISH of North Port’s Bruce Isbell said. “Unfortunately this year, several of our volunteers who live here year-round are gone for a month or five to six weeks… In the meantime, we continued to provide transportation,” he said.

FISH provides rides to and from doctor’s appointments for North Port residents in need. There is a suggested donation but, he said, nobody is ever denied.

“I feel very strongly that we don’t leave anybody behind,” he said.

If they can’t find a volunteer driver, they will use a ride-service “as long as we have money in the bank,” Isbell said.

Charlotte County itself has groups in need of volunteers, according to volunteermatch.org.

Groups as diverse as the Parrot Outreach Society in Punta Gorda to the county government’s own Volunteer In Public Service organization are seeking help.

About a year ago, United Way of Charlotte County made a push for volunteers, especially after COVID and Ian — and that’s assisted the community, according to Executive Director Angie Matthiessen.

“We’ve had an off-the-chart response for volunteers — we’re definitely plugging them in,” she said. “I think people are ready to be out of their house and engaging in their community significantly.”

There are many ways to still assist throughout the area, with Matthiessen noting Reading Buddies and telephone support volunteerism as two areas that “always” need help.

Reading Buddies, needing during the summer and school year, help students with literacy. Volunteers can also help by being available to talk to senior citizens who rarely or never leave home — just by calling them.

“We as United Way of Charlotte County — we mobilize volunteers. We believe it’s beneficial to volunteer — good for health, socializing and other things,” she said.

There are many other options listed on its website under the Get Involved tab, she said.

“If people have a particular interest, we will get them connected with a nonprofit,” Matthiessen said.

She noted there are people who live in the region all year long now who have retired but have “skillsets” to help the community.

“We definitely want to encourage people to know their gifts and talents are worthwhile and they can be put to good use.”

All Faiths Food Bank, working in DeSoto and Sarasota counties, has a solid group of volunteers — but it is also contending with a hit.

“They always come back, but summer is really tough,” AFFB President/CEO Nelle Miller told The Daily Sun. “It’s a tough job. We’re out there in the elements but we’re retooling so people don’t have to be outside as much.”

According to a news release from AFFB, it is facing a “critical shortage” in the summer months, needing about 800 volunteers to cover about 12,000 hours at about 60 planned mobile food distributions.

Many school districts encourage, or even require, students to chalk up volunteer hours before graduation. Some businesses also have started giving paid time off so employees can volunteer.

Miller encourages both concepts.

“It’s a very popular thing for teens. We absolutely encourage it … and endorse the paperwork,” she said. “We also encourage corporate groups for team-building … It really is a great experience.”

Matthiessen noted that as well.

“If there’s a business that wants to have its employees to help, we reach out to nonprofits who have a project,” she said.

Isbell needs people willing to drive North Port residents. FISH of North Port began 50 years ago and he’s been involved with it for two decades himself. He said it is a necessary service and is concerned it will have to cut back on rides if more volunteers aren’t found.

“If we don’t take them to the doctor, they generally don’t go because they have no way to get there,” he said.

What FISH does, that buses and county ride services don’t, is it doesn’t pay attention to the county lines. Many North Port residents need to go to Port Charlotte. That’s never an issue.

And its volunteers have the option to always say no; and have the option to always collect mileage for their service.

Few volunteers do that, he noted. There is a sense that they gain something different in their service.

“I think those who can (volunteer), they get a sense of satisfaction that they are giving back to the community,” he said. “They meet some very nice people and very grateful people.”

Miller said she has been working with the food bank in different positions for about a decade. She said volunteers discover the accomplishment, albeit a bit sweaty in the summer months, is worth it.

“It is a very satisfying way to help the community,” she said. “It’s a way to see what’s out there and breaks some of the stereotypes of what’s going on out there. It’s done with humility.”

In a news release from AFFB, it highlighted some thoughts from some of its volunteers.

Wendy Lachaunce, 70, and her spouse, Bonnie Alberti, have volunteered together since 2019.

“Last summer, we had 45 days in a row of heat advisories. The volunteers that are working these pantries do it because of their beautiful service hearts,” Lachaunce stated in the news release. “We all have our personal stories and we care deeply for our friends and neighbors. No person should go hungry when I/we can do something about it.”

Cullen “Cully” Pfanmiller, 18, is a Sarasota High student introduced to it through Temple Emanu-El’s annual day of service, Mitzvah Day, it noted.

“I would say that giving back to your community does as much for you as it does for your community,” Pfanmiller stated in the news release. “After a volunteer shift, I feel like I have done something important for the families in my community.”

The sensation of assisting is what Kelly Jennings experiences as well.

“I usually feel like I had a great workout,” she stated in the news release. “But I also feel so good about helping others and making a difference in someone’s life. I especially like working at the mobile pantries, where I get to interact with the people who come to get food. It is a blessing to get to say ‘hello’ to them and see how happy they are to get the supplies that they need.”

She believes others should consider it.

“There is a job for everyone, whether you can lift heavy things or not,” she stated.

Miller said there is an immediate satisfaction and the mindset that the food bank is making a long-term difference in the lives of others.

“Ultimately the hope is, by relieving some of the pressure … they can lift themselves up,” she said. “This could be anybody; this could be me.”

And her group acknowledges — and works with — the summer heat.

“But we always have a cooler of cold drinks, clean T-shirts and as much shade as we can find,” she said.

For more information on volunteering with All Faiths Food Bank, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/volunteer.

For more information on volunteering with FISH of North Port, visit www.fishofnorthport.org/ or call Isbell at 941-429-8945.

“We’re trying to do the best we can with the resources we have — but we need help,” Isbell said.