Novelty Night #2: Volunteer in Your Community
Updated: 1 hour ago
When you think of trying something new, volunteering might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it absolutely should be!
Volunteering is a great way to get out of your usual routine, meet new people, learn something you didn't know before, and spend time doing something that makes a difference.
Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to try something new, and it comes with some great pros:
It feels amazing. Helping other people fills your cup in a way that’s hard to explain until you’ve done it.
You learn so much. About your community, about how nonprofits run, and about the people who make it all happen.
It’s a great excuse to hang out. Bring friends, make new ones, or go solo!
This month, we tried two different volunteer experiences:
Building food packs at the Missoula Food Bank
Cooking dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
Both were new and such rewarding ways to spend an evening!
Option 1: The Food Bank
Take a tour of the food bank and help assemble weekend food packs for local students.
We signed up for a group volunteer opportunity at the Missoula Food Bank & Community Center. We were there to help build Kids EmPower Packs, a weekend nutrition program that helps make sure students have food to eat when school isn't in session.
The Tour!
Before getting started, we were given a tour of the food bank. I loved this part because it gave us a much better understanding of everything that happens behind the scenes.
We got to see the grocery-store-style shopping area, storage spaces, and the areas where food is sorted, cleaned, and packaged. We also visited EmPower Place, a space designed for children to learn, play, and participate in activities while at the food bank.
We learned about the different programs they run, how food gets distributed throughout the community, and what a typical week looks like for their team. It was really interesting to see how many moving pieces go into making sure people have access to food!
Let's Build Some Food Packs!
After the tour, we headed over to the packing area and split into two assembly lines. Everyone had a job, and I ended up being one of the runners.
My job was to keep the assembly line moving by grabbing new products for everyone packing the boxes, breaking down cardboard, and assembling more boxes. People along the line would call out what they needed, and we would run to the back to grab it before they ran out.
It was a little chaotic in the best way possible! Everyone was moving around, yelling out directions, laughing, and trying to keep the boxes coming. It was fast-paced, hands-on, and honestly a lot of fun.
I loved getting to see how something as simple as an afternoon of packing boxes could contribute to a program that supports so many students.
Try it yourself!
The Missoula Food Bank offers several ways to volunteer, including building EmPower Packs, helping with food programs, delivering groceries, and working with children in EmPower Place.
Find opportunities to volunteer with the Missoula Food Bank here:
Find a food bank near you:
Option 2: Cooking at the Ronald McDonald House
Our second volunteer experience this month was with Ronald McDonald House Missoula. Gather a group of friends and prepare dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families who need to travel to Missoula while their child receives medical care. It gives families a comfortable place to stay close to their children, with access to meals and a supportive community.
One of the ways the community helps is by preparing meals for families. When they spend long days at the hospital, having dinner already taken care of can be one less thing they have to worry about. Volunteers help make that possible by providing home-cooked meals throughout the week.
Let's get cooking!
Six of us went and made Greek chicken bowls and brownies. The house has a great commercial kitchen, so we all cooked together and split into different roles. It felt like our own mini cooking show!
Once dinner was ready, we had the opportunity to sit down and eat with families who wanted to join us. It was a chance to chat and hear a little about their experiences. This is optional, and families have their own schedules and preferences, so there's no pressure to socialize.
It was a really meaningful way to spend an afternoon, and I loved knowing that we had helped make someone's evening a little easier.
Try it yourself!
Ronald McDonald House Missoula has a program called Meals from the Heart, where individuals, families, and groups can sign up to prepare dinner in the House kitchen.
On-site cooking is available Monday through Friday, with groups of up to six volunteers. Your group provides the ingredients, prepares the meal, and helps clean up afterward.
Find a Ronald McDonald House near you:
You can learn more and sign up here:
More Ways to Volunteer
Looking for more ideas for your own volunteer novelty night? Here are some more options:
Animal shelters: Help care for animals, organize supplies, or assist with adoption events.
Parks and the outdoors: Participate in trail cleanups, plant trees, maintain community gardens, or pick up litter.
Arts and education: Help with children's art projects, tutor students, read with kids, or share a creative skill.
Community events: Help with event setup, registration, fundraising, or community festivals.
Donation drives: Organize collections for clothing, school supplies, food, or household essentials.
Senior programs: Visit with residents, help with activities, or assist with community outings.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few places to look:
Volunteer Missoula – Find local organizations and current volunteer opportunities.
Missoula Food Bank – Explore food-related volunteer opportunities.
Missoula Parks and Recreation – Find opportunities to help with local parks and trails.
Final Thoughts
Both experiences reminded me that trying something new and volunteering doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's spending two hours packing boxes, making dinner with friends, or showing up somewhere that needs an extra set of hands.
You might learn something new about your community or discover a cause you want to keep supporting.
Join us on our novelty nights and follow along on the blog to plan your own! And tell us: Where would you love to volunteer?
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