Are you a student (aged 18 plus), a retiree, or have some time and wanting to pay it forward with acts of kindness to our Long Beach residents in-need? We all have something to give and even a little of your time can make a big difference to the in-need community. Paying it forward is about making the lives of others just a little bit better and volunteering even for a few hours with Help Me Help You is the perfect way to make a positive difference to many and also be rewarded.
Help Me Help You is always in need of volunteers to help feed our in-need community four times a week via one of our 12 Grocery Grab N Go Long Beach, CA locations (community and schools) and Long Beach Food Pantry Delivery (for seniors). We feed, motivate, and transition homeless and disadvantaged individuals and families (including seniors, persons with disabilities, single mothers, veterans, and youth) from lives of poverty to self-sufficiency. Our services reduce hunger and poverty, improves nutrition and health, and boost family economic security. Programs also include free enrollment assistance for CalFresh, MediCal, General Relief, Social Security Benefits, and links to housing services. Each year Help Me Help You improves the lives of more than 52,000 Long Beach residents in need.
Did you know that volunteering with Help Me Help You is mutually rewarding as well as beneficial to your well-being?
Our volunteers not only learn new skills, make new friends, and become part of a dynamic team, but also report feeling happier and healthier for doing so. Research in the field of Positive Psychology that measured hormones and brain activity, discovered that being helpful to others dramatically elevates pleasure. It's human nature to give to others and the more we give the happier we feel. Volunteering also helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, anxiety and even depression as well as improves physical well-being. Studies have revealed that volunteers have a lower mortality rate. Older volunteers tend to cope better with everyday tasks, think better, and are less likely to develop high blood pressure. (help.org).
"Helping other people is one of the most important things we can do in life. When volunteering, you work with terrific people because they too want to help people. I've read the research and those that help others score as the happiest", said Retiree and HMHY Volunteer
Help Me Help You Volunteer & Be Rewarded
There are numerous ways to volunteer with Help Me Help you and no experience is needed. Our volunteers are considered part of the Help Me Help You family, are invited to appreciation events and receive rewards for their gracious time and efforts.
Volunteer Rewards include:
- Refreshments on arrival
- Certificate of Appreciation
- HMHY Volunteer T-shirt for regular volunteers
- Volunteer of the Month prizes
- Appreciation events
- Annual Awards night
There are numerous ways to volunteer with Help Me Help You:
- Individuals looking to meet friends
- Family members enjoy the bonding experience of working together
- Business team members delight in the team building aspect and comradery of volunteering as well as the opportunity to give back to the community.
If you have a few hours to spare and are at least 18 years old, don't delay - volunteer today! Submit your interest in joining the Help Me Help You family of volunteers at www.helpmehelpu.org/volunteer