If you have free time and want to make a difference in the lives of others, the places around St. Louis to volunteer are many and varied. You can pick from a huge number of volunteer opportunities sure to match your interest. Some of these positions may require training or skills, but most only require you to show up regularly.

St. Louis, like most communities, has many church and para-church organizations. Churches in St. Louis often offer feeding programs, elderly assistance, child care, and the need to maintain the church facilities. Some give opportunities to teach or mentor others. For those who are interested and qualified, volunteers who can offer prayer and spiritual guidance are needed.

New Life Evangelistic Center is a giant ministry to the indigent. The NLEC feeds hundreds of people daily plus providing groceries and household items to many more. It runs shelters for the homeless and transient people who are in St. Louis. The Rev. Larry Rice and his staff rely on volunteers to make this organization work. In the summer, they identify those who are in danger of heat problems and furnish fans and air conditioners. In the winter, blankets, coats, and warm clothing are distributed to those in need.

Missouri has a well-established Adopt-a-highway program in place. St. Louis and St. Louis County participate in this effort. Volunteers can sign up to keep a stretch of highway clean from litter and debris. You or your organization will have sign put up by the state recognizing your efforts in that area. You can adopt a quarter mile or more of highway for a year at a time. Using bags provided by the state of Missouri, you will gather the trash and leave the bags at set places for highway crews to collect and haul to the landfill.

With proper security checks, you can volunteer at local schools. While this type of volunteer work has diminished due to security concerns, it is still alive and well for adults who want to go to the school and assist teachers. School library reading programs are also in place where parents and others can go and read to children.

The regions hospitals and nursing homes are constantly recruiting volunteers for a host of needs. From Candy Stripers to Senior Companions, volunteers help make patient and resident stays more convenient and enjoyable. Most institutions make use of at least a dozen or more volunteers. Larger facilities may coordinate a volunteer staff numbering into the hundreds.

Food pantries and food banks rely on volunteers to be able to have enough money to do their work. If these organizations had to pay for all of their labor, there would be no funds available to pay for food, utilities, and other needed expenses to keep the operation going. Even a small food pantry will need as many as 20 volunteers per month. Some of these run through churches, but many are stand alone service providers.

Some local attractions also use volunteers. The St. Louis Zoo is a world-class zoo that makes use of volunteers almost year round. Museums and other public funded operations like the St. Louis Symphony also have room for some volunteers.

In St. Louis, if you want to volunteer, it should not take you long to find a place. With minimal effort, you will locate a volunteer job that you can enjoy and that will be beneficial to others.