Barbara Ryan, Housewares Chair, is so happy to welcome seven new volunteers, Austin, Harris, Shafuq, TJ, Karen, Haryad, and Patti, to her team! They are all ready to receive household goods that ECHO clients need. We especially need bathmats, shower curtains, any size comforter, and flatware (these don’t have to be in sets).
Volunteers in the Clothing area are just as eager as their Housewares counterparts to receive donations. They need contributions of new underwear for men in waist sizes 32 to 38, men’s new or gently used jeans in waist sizes 30 and 32, boys’ sneakers in sizes 5 and 6, packages of baby wipes, disposable diapers in sizes 4, 5, or 6, and feminine pads.
A volunteer opportunity of interest to an amateur (or professional) photographer is available. We need someone who would partner with Communications volunteers to build a video and photographic record by photographing and archiving ECHO’s special events. The time commitment would vary.
A few more volunteer opportunities exist for working with donations on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday mornings, or working to interview and assist clients on a Tuesday or Thursday evening. We would like to add one or two more adult supervisors for our Teen Program on Wednesday evenings. If you want to find out more about volunteering with ECHO, see job descriptions and information about which positions are currently open at www.echo-inc.org/volunteer-opportunities-for-adults. If you’d like to sign up for a particular volunteer position, send an email to volunteercoordinator@echo-inc.org.
Our Food Pantry welcomes all non-perishable foods and personal hygiene items, though we currently have plenty of canned vegetables and boxed stuffing mix. We need canned meats and fish as well as dried beans, bagged rice, spices, and condiments such as mayonnaise and ketchup. Children’s toothbrushes are almost always in short supply. See the complete list of things we try to keep in stock on our home page, www.echo-inc.org.
Please bring donations to our Donation Door at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road on weekdays between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, or between 7:00 and 9:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings. Receipts are happily provided.
For those who can’t get to ECHO during our hours of operation, please note that Springfield United Methodist Church, 7047 Old Keene Mill Road is hosting their Spring Food Drive to benefit ECHO on Saturday March 8 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Access the parking lot from Spring Street. Any size donation of non-perishable foods and personal hygiene supplies is welcome!
