RSVP Offers Volunteer Opportunities

CLEARFIELD - The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Clearfield County offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals 55 years old or older that enable them to utilize their skills and knowledge and to contribute to their communities’ preparedness activities. In recent years, RSVP has been required by its federal funding grant to place 50 percent of its active volunteers in activities that will make a high impact on the community and address the greatest needs of the community.

One very important community need is to provide supplemental, perishable and non-perishable food to the needy, unemployed and low-income families and individuals of Clearfield County. In the 1999 US Census Bureau’s QuickFacts, it was noted that 12.5% of the residents of Clearfield County lived below poverty level. That percentage trend has continued. Food pantries throughout Clearfield County address this community need. Since March is National Nutrition Month, the food pantries in Clearfield County will be highlighted this month.

Central Pennsylvania Community Action, Inc., an RSVP station, is responsible for allocating Pennsylvania monies to be used for food pantries throughout the county. At the present time, Community Action has 10 food pantries in Clearfield County, one in each school district of the county. RSVP volunteers assist with six of these food pantries. 

The food pantries use the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines to determine the eligibility of the applicants. In the first half of Fiscal Year 2007-2008, the food pantries of Clearfield County, in which RSVP volunteers donate their time, served approximately 954 families or 2,081 people.

RSVP volunteers donate time to the food pantries in Burnside, Clearfield, Curwensville, DuBois, Houtzdale, and Westover. Volunteers assist with ordering food, keeping records of who receives food, stocking shelves, taking inventory, assisting with applications to see if the individual qualifies, and distributing food to the consumers.

To supplement the money received from the state, each food pantry relies on additional funding from private or business sources. Food drives also provide extra supplies. Many groups, churches and organizations throughout Clearfield County hold annual food drives to supply the food pantries with non-perishable foods. Donations are always accepted to assist the program.

Gail O’Donnell, Food Program manager for Community Action, relies on the volunteers who assist with the food pantries. She says, “The volunteers are wonderful. They do such a great job! These volunteers are committed and dedicated to helping their community. If it weren’t for the volunteers, most of our food pantries would not be open.”

John and Bea Dixon are the RSVP station representatives for the Greater DuBois Area Ministerium’s Food Pantry. They have volunteered their time to the food pantry for approximately eleven years.

When asked if she had anything to add, Bea said, “The volunteers who help at the food pantry are wonderful. Everything runs smoothly here. We have seen a rise in the number of consumers who come to the food pantry lately. We truly appreciate the support of many of the DuBois businesses and the DuBois Area United Way who support the food pantry with contributions.” 

MARCH VOLUNTEER CORNER:

ACTIVITY ASSISTANTS/VISITORS: Volunteers are needed in area nursing and personal care homes to assist with activities for the residents. Do you have a special interest or hobby you would be willing to share? Are you friendly and outgoing? This is a great opportunity to make new friends and brighten your own day as well as those you visit. Flexible scheduling is available.
MEALS ON WHEELS & MORE: Volunteers are needed throughout the county for the Meals
on Wheels and More program. Volunteer drivers and runners are needed to deliver the meals from the vehicles to the home to individuals who are homebound. Make a difference in someone’s life today – become Meals on Wheels and More volunteer.
CLERICAL VOLUNTEERS: Many non-profit organizations request volunteers to assist with clerical duties such as data entry, filing, answering the telephone, etc. If you would like to assist one of your favorite non-profits, please call the RSVP office. Training is provided and scheduling is flexible.
ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEERS: The Clearfield County Senior Environmental Corp has a program in place to educate the residents of Clearfield County on groundwater issues. Volunteers are needed to assist with this program. Volunteers will receive training that will assist them in giving presentations to various organizations. Help protect our water supplies for future generations.

If you are interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunities that are available in area food pantries, in any of the above volunteer opportunities or would like to learn more about RSVP, please call the RSVP office at (814) 765-2226 or 1-800-225-8571. 

RSVP is sponsored and partially funded by the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Additional funding is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Clearfield Area and DuBois Area United Way agencies, memorials and contributions.