Community Service
We organize community service projects several times during the year, and notify members and friends of other volunteer opportunities in the region. Examples of past community services projects include:
- Spring Clean-up at Child & Family Services
- Trail work at the Grand Traverse Commons
- Sorting and processing food from local farms at Food Rescue
- Spring cleaning at Reining Liberty Ranch
We welcome all alumni, families, friends and fans of the University of Michigan to join us!
Current opportunities for individual service
United Way of Northwest Michigan
We are excited to announce a new volunteer program! Starting June 1 2023, join United Way of Northwest Michigan each Thursday for drop-in volunteering with our Summer of Service 10-week program. All ages are welcome. A different agency will be featured each week to give the community a chance to see the breadth of volunteerism they can engage in. Locals and visitors are welcome to join in and be a part of the community for a whole shift or just an hour.
Northwest Food Coalition
Due to the unprecedented demand for food at this time, in lieu of in-person service we would like to draw your attention to the opportunity to donate to the Northwest Food Coalition.
The Northwest Food Coalition is ~70 member coalition of food pantries, emergency meal sites and baby pantries in a six country area of northwest Michigan. The Coalition pools and distributes resources to ensure that needs are met across our communities and rural areas. Coalition members are able to use their share of the General Fund distribution for their greatest need which may include shelf stable food items, personal hygiene items, diapers, or other.
The Coalition also offers communities the Farm2Neighbor Program. These funds are used to purchase fruits and vegetables from local farms, which will be distributed to pantries and meal sites across the 6 counties of the Northwest Food Coalition by Food Rescue – a Goodwill of Northern Michigan program. Access to fresh fruits and vegetables has a strong positive impact on the health outcomes of low income clients.
Please consider a donation at this time to critical community services being provided by the Northwest Food Coalition.
ONGOING
Habitat for Humanity Traverse City
The Habitat ReStore located on Woodmere Ave in Traverse City is currently seeking volunteers to provide support to our ReStore staff and help build valuable customer appreciation. Through the sale of gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and more, the Habitat ReStore supports Habitat-GTR’s mission of building sustainable homes, communities and hope. No retail experience required. Sign up online or call (231) 941-4663 ext. 121 for more details!
Reining Liberty Ranch
The Reining Liberty Ranch, located just outside of Traverse City, offers many services and programs for veterans and heroes in our community, including equine and agriculture related experiences and workshops. The ranch is a busy place with lots of year-round activity and a long to-do list. There are many ways to use your talent, profession or passion to benefit the work of Ranch.
Sign up to volunteer here!
Have a project?
Do you have a project or nonprofit organization you would like the community service team to assist with? Please contact Katrina Fritz.
