Volunteer Opportunities Of The Week: Bake Lasagna To Feed Families

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Each week, Patch will be highlighting volunteer opportunities in the Hudson Valley. This will be a chance to help your community and be an opportunity to give back — perhaps in a way you didn't consider before.

This week, we are putting the spotlight on some opportunities in the Hudson Valley.

Bake Lasagna to Feed Families
Lasagna Love matches volunteers with a local family in need to learn about their dietary restrictions and preferences; the volunteer then bakes a lasagna and delivers it to the recipient at an agreed-upon date and time. Volunteers must be 18+ to register, but young chefs can register alongside an adult as part of the adult's team, and students can receive community service credit if requested. All volunteers must pass a quick training prior to baking their lasagnas.
Date: Flexible schedule
Organization: Lasagna Love
Location: Throughout Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam

Recreation Volunteers
Blossom Respite Cafe and Gardens provides a day program for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Kind volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of activities, including gardening, music, playing games, and more. Activities take place every Tuesday and Wednesday and the site is wheelchair-friendly.
Date: 6/24 and 6/25 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; select Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Organization: Blossom Respite Cafe and Garden
Location: Pleasantville

Summer Reading Buddies Administrative Assistant
Volunteers are needed to make phone calls to the parents of this year's Summer Reading Buddies programs. Volunteers must be able to speak both English and Spanish, be available twice a week (2-4 hours per day), and be at least 16 years old. This is an ideal opportunity for a teen, professional, or retiree with office and communications skills who wishes to support an important reading program for local elementary school students.
Date: Weekly; flexible schedule
Organization: Family Service Society of Yonkers
Location: Yonkers

Back-to-School Backpack Volunteers and Donation Drive
Friends of Karen's Back-to-School program helps critically ill children and their siblings start the new school year with backpacks filled with all the essential supplies they need. Parents who are consumed with caring for an ill child will have peace of mind knowing their children will be ready to start the school year. Volunteers are needed to help pack backpacks with school supplies and ship them to families in need. Volunteers can also organize backpack and school supply drives to collect new items.
Date: Flexible schedule
Organization: Friends of Karen
Location: North Salem

Find a full list of opportunities at https://www.volunteernewyork.org.