Over fifty volunteers serve as:
- Interviewers and Translators - Staff at the Sharing Hands office during "intake" hours; distribute food and limited clothing to the needy families; identify needy families for the Thanksgiving and Christmas "Adopt-a-Family" Program, and by listening to their stories, attempt to assess their other needs. There is always an urgent need for Spanish speaking translators to assist with interviews. Training is provided during office hours on a one to one basis.
- Advocates - Judge whether Sharing Hands can and/or should help with utility or rent payments; refer people to other agencies in cases of abuse, divorce, health problems, budget counseling, Public Aid eligibility.
- Shoppers - Hunt for bargains and buy in quantity for our Sharing Hands food pantry. Organize shelves and assess inventory needs.
- Furniture Ministry - Adult drivers along with teen volunteers match up used, serviceable furniture, donated by local residents, with needy families in our nearby communities. With the help of these teen and adult volunteers, furniture is picked up and delivered each week. Volunteers are always needed.
- Home Meals - On several occasions, our volunteers have cooked and delivered daily meals to families in emergency situations where the usual provider is sick or otherwise incapacitated.
Sharing Hands provides over 1200 Christmas gifts for their annual collection of Christmas gifts (Gift Sunday), keeps in touch with the Vernon Township, the Mundelein Task Force, and the Catholic Charities Parish Emergency Assistance group to streamline operations and prevent overlap of services.
For more information about Sharing Hands, please contact Frank Ruder at 847-362-1069.