FEED THE HUNGRY
1. Plano Community Garden
The garden provides more than 5,000 pounds of fresh organic produce annually to local food pantries serving Plano families.
Sample activities: Care for and cultivate a raised bed; gather your produce for the food pantry delivery; report your volunteer time and harvest poundage weekly.
4030 W. Plano Parkway, Plano
972-769-4313
www.plano.gov/1704/Plano-Community-Garden
2. Minnie’s Food Pantry
This community-funded food pantry helps feed people who are unemployed, underemployed or dealing with costs of living they cannot afford.
Sample activities: Sorting, preparing boxes, helping with resale store, food pantry operations, special projects.
661 18th St., Plano
972-596-0253
www.minniesfoodpantry.org
3. North Texas Food Bank
This regional food bank whose main distribution center is in Plano serves more than 200,000 meals a day to people of all ages in 13 counties.
Sample activities: Sorting and packing food for various programs; assisting clients of the food bank’s mobile pantry and school pantry programs.
3677 Mapleshade Lane, Plano
214-330-1396
www.ntfb.org
4. God’s Pantry
This local food pantry distributes tens of thousands of pounds of donated food to people in need each month.
Sample activities: Lifting boxes of canned foods, sorting, cleaning.
3420 E. 14th St., Ste. 100, Plano
972-633-9777
www.godspantryplano.org
5. A Christian Food Pantry & Thrift Store
This food pantry helps families from many backgrounds select from a variety of foods that fit their needs.
Sample activities: Assisting clients, cleaning, helping clients carry boxes, helping unload trucks.
1116 Dobie Drive, Plano
972-578-5730
www.acfoodpantry.org
SUPPORT FAMILIES
6. Plano CARES
Plano Code Abatement by Residents Engaged in Services, or CARES, connects volunteers with residents in need of assistance with common property code violations.
Sample activities: Basic landscaping; tree trimming; minor fence repair; small demolition projects.
Locations vary.
972-208-8150
www.plano.gov/993/Volunteer-Opportunities
7. Hope’s Door New Beginning Center
This nonprofit organization helps individuals and families escape and heal from domestic abuse, dating abuse and family violence.
Sample activities: Provide childcare; provide administrative support; assist with special events; organize donations; assist at resale store.
860 F Ave., Ste. 100, Plano
972-422-2911
www.hdnbc.org
8. Habitat for Humanity of Collin County Plano Restore
This group’s Plano Restore sells new and gently used merchandise at a discount. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Collin County.
Sample activities: Going through merchandise, examining donated items.
2060 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Ste. 402, Plano
972-424-0791
www.planorestore.com
9. City House
City House provides for, serves, and empowers children and young adults experiencing abuse, neglect or homelessness.
Sample activities: Life-coach; cook; tutor; conduct playdates; clean and do laundry; provide administrative and maintenance support.
830 Central Parkway E., Ste. 350, Plano
972-424-4626
www.cityhouse.org/volunteer.shtml
10. Turning Point Rape Crisis Center
The center provides counseling, education and advocacy to those affected by sexual violence and provides advocacy training for volunteers four times a year.
Sample activities: Administrative assistants: Assisting with fundraisers and special events. Interns: assist with hospital and crisis advocacy (with training).
3325 Silverstone Drive, Plano
972-985-0951
www.theturningpoint.org
11. Plano Warming Station
This Salvation Army overnight space serves as short-term emergency housing when temperatures, wind and precipitation become dangerous. The center is open on inclement weather nights from Nov. 1-March 31.
3528 E. 14th St., Plano
Sample activities: Provide transportation; recruit and train volunteers; serve meals; provide other support services.
SERVE SENIORS
12. The Legacy Senior Communities Inc.
The Legacy Senior Communities provides care to seniors and their families while embracing Jewish values.
Sample activities: Arts and crafts; event coordination; one-on-one visits; musical performances; reading.
6101 Ohio Drive, Plano
972-468-6160
www.thelegacyseniorcommunities.org
13. Lone Star Wheelers
Lone Star Wheelers is a free community service that provides safe wheelchair bicycle rides in Plano for sick, elderly and disabled residents and non-residents.
Sample activities: Give bike rides to the disabled and elderly.
6400 Cheyenne Trail, Plano
469-816-3844
www.lonestarwheelers.com
BETTER THE CITY
14. Plano litter and creek cleanup
Pick up litter in neighborhoods, campuses or parks year-round with provided cleanup supplies from the city.
Locations vary.
972-769-4328
www.plano.gov/1387/Community-Cleanup
HELP ANIMALS
15. Plano Animal Shelter
The city’s Animal Services Department promotes responsible pet ownership and provides animal health and welfare and human health protection services. This shelter had a waitlist for volunteers as of Nov. 5.
Sample activities: Be an in-shelter greeter, a room or kennel attendant, a dog exerciser or a laundry attendant; provide foster care; help with offsite vaccines and events.
4028 W. Plano Parkway, Plano
972-769-4360
www.plano.gov/194/Animal-Services
16. Second Chance SPCA
The group rescues dogs and cats at risk of euthanasia from municipal shelters and provides them with care until they are adopted into homes.
Sample activities: Socialize dogs and cats; greet guests; walk dogs; feed and bathe animals; clean up after animals.
1700 J Ave., Plano
972-424-0077
www.secondchancespca.org/volunteer
SERVE VETERANS
17. Veterans Center of North Texas
The center serves as a point of contact for veterans and their families to learn about benefits and services available to veterans in North Texas and provides assistance through information, referral and consultation.
Sample activities: Intake veterans and families; help connect veterans and families with resources.
900 E. Park Blvd., Ste.155, Plano
214-600-2966
www.veteranscenterofnorthtexas.org
