Community members assist in the harvesting and maintenance of The Oasis Gardens at The Living Legacy Center. (Courtesy The Living Legacy Center)
For those looking to help out in the Cypress, Cy-Fair communities, there are several local organizations that offer volunteer opportunities and accept donations.
The Living Legacy Center
The nonprofit organization provides assistance to the Cy-Fair area’s senior citizens, veterans, and individuals with both physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to email [email protected] for more information.
Sample activities: The Oasis Gardens needs volunteers for planting, maintaining and harvesting fresh produce for the community.
Donations accepted: coats for the Coat Drive for Santa Maria Hostel, to aid women and their children during the colder months, as well as food and pantry donations for the Oxford House Pantry Drive.
The organization provides resources to help individuals reach self-sufficiency. Programs include a community food pantry, school supplies for children, free books and extra food around the holidays.
Sample activities: senior curbside distribution, shelf stocking, weighing and preparing donations, cleaning and organizing as well as food delivery
Donations accepted: monetary contributions, school supplies, books, non-perishable food items
The faith-based nonprofit offers assistance to families facing eviction, seniors needing food delivery, and job seekers. The organization also provides financial assistance, adult education and job training.
Sample activities: donation center support, food pantry assistance, grocery deliveries, resale store support, administrative and office assistance
Donations accepted: monetary contributions, non-perishable foods, household and personal care items
The residential program provides homes for children ages 5-18. In stable homes, children are able to attend local schools, and the organization also provides career development assistance and a program that supports single mothers and their children.
Sample activities: providing haircuts, music lessons, tutoring and other volunteer services
Donations accepted: new or gently used items such as clothing, sporting equipment, furniture or other household items and cleaning supplies
The nonprofit was created to provide food to families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday. The organization’s annual distribution effort runs Nov. 19-21 this year, and it needs 600 volunteers.
Sample activities: building boxes, sorting pallets, distributing food
Donations accepted: monetary contributions that go directly to providing families with food during Thanksgiving
Volunteers can share a special skill, and volunteer individually or with a group.Courtesy Reach Unlimited
Reach Unlimited
The nonprofit assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programs offered include home and community-based services, group homes, learning activity centers and vocational services. The volunteer program, which started in 2005, offers a variety of activities, something Kris Lusebrink, director of operations, thinks is "the greatest thing about volunteering at Reach."
Sample activities: classroom assistance at the Learning Activity Center, sharing a talent, assisting in the group home, administrative support
Donations accepted: items for the learning center such as used tech, musical instruments, cleaning supplies, art supplies, and gift cards; group home donations such as new or gently used kitchen items and appliances; vehicles and gardening supplies
This nonprofit organization provides assistance to Cy-Fair community members experiencing homelessness. Programs include a community food pantry, provision of emergency shelter, scholarships, homeless street outreach, programs for CFISD students and more.
Sample activities: food pantry assistance, outreach and events support, food pick-up, administrative support
Donations accepted: monetary contributions, food, school supplies, children’s clothing, toys, gift cards, hygiene items, basic kitchen items
The nonprofit offers programs intended to assist underserved children in the community. Services offered include after-school programs, baseball camps, college and career assistance, youth mentoring, food assistance and more.
Sample activities: after-school program assistance, reading and writing assistance, food distribution, baseball tournaments, hope chest resale store support
Donations accepted: individually wrapped snacks, shelf-stable food, board games, craft supplies, kitchen and cleaning supplies, school supplies, gifts for teens, new or gently used baseball equipment
The organization assists families served by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Programs offered include a resource center where families can get the clothing and baby essentials they need, as well as a furniture assistance program.
Sample activities: Christmas present distribution, resource center support
Donations accepted: monetary contributions, children’s and men’s clothing, bedding, car seats, bottles, kitchen items, bathroom supplies, shoes
