November is a month of giving and thanks, a perfect time to consider when and where you can volunteer your talents locally. Volunteering is a rewarding way to learn, make new friends, explore career options, and give back to your community. Opportunities abound in Bozeman including food and food service, mentoring children, senior services, pets, recreation, sport and trails.

Food and Food Service
Fork & Spoon Kitchen is Bozeman’s only pay-what-you-can eaterie and relies on the community’s volunteer spirit to help serve diners. A typical dinner shift is usually 3-4 hours, an easy and fun way to spend an evening. Fork & Spoon was voted Bozeman’s Choice #2 Place to Volunteer in the 2021 Reader Poll. https://www.forkandspoonkitchen.org/volunteer/

The Gallatin Valley Food Bank offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities from delivery drivers to apple pickers to box fillers. https://gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org/give-help/volunteer/

Mentoring Children
The CAP Mentor program at THRIVE is a weekly one-hour commitment to a local student within the school. You can become a hero to a local kid, find out more here https://allthrive.org/volunteer/

Big Brothers Big Sisters has a variety of volunteer opportunities, the most needed being a BIG to a LITTLE. Volunteering just a few hours a month with a child can start something amazing. Enjoy a park together, go on a hike, shoot hoops, whatever your interests are it’s likely your match will enjoy them with you as well. https://bbbs-bigskycountry.org/volunteer/

Family Promise exists to empower homeless families with children to achieve self-sufficiency through partnerships, services, and advocacy. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities, from direct service with a family to yard work, maintenance and tutoring. Find your best fit here: http://www.familypromisegv.org/volunteer

As a volunteer for the Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts you’ll introduce girls and boys to new experiences that show them that they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. To volunteer with the Bozeman Girl Scouts email judys@gsmw.org / reach out to the Mountain Valley District Boy Scouts by emailing julie.evans@scouting.org

Recreation
For nearly 40 years Eagle Mount has been celebrating abilities while supporting disabilities in our community and was Bozeman’s Choice #3 Place to Volunteer in 2021. When you volunteer with them you’ll deepen your understanding of disabilities in general and, if applicable, the specific challenges faced by a person you’ll be working with. Ski, swim, climb, garden or spend time with horses, plus there are many great incentives for volunteers, see opportunities and benefits at http://www.eaglemount.org/volunteer/

Senior Services
Befrienders provides companionship, support and advocacy for the aging population throughout Gallatin Valley. Spend at least one hour per week with a senior doing something you or both of you enjoy doing. https://www.befriendersbozeman.org/volunteers/

The Bozeman and Belgrade Senior Centers both need volunteers daily. Volunteers help with special events, deliver Meals-on-Wheels to homebound seniors, help the kitchen staff prep food, manage the front desk, tutor in the computer center, and play a vital role in fundraising events. Visit https://www.bozemanseniorcenter.org/volunteering to find out more. The Belgrade Senior Center matches the talents, interests, and schedule of their volunteers with a role that will bring you and those you serve great satisfaction. Their volunteer application is available at https://www.belgradeseniorcenter.com/volunteer.html/

Pets
Heart Of The Valley Animal Shelter has been voted Bozeman’s Choice #1 Place to Volunteer for the past six years in row! HOV offers volunteer opportunities for ages 6 and up, individual options as well as groups. From dog walking, to building maintenance, youth education, to event help there is something for every pet lover. https://www.heartofthevalleyshelter.org/volunteer/

Trails
Gallatin Valley Land Trust puts volunteers to work with trail maintenance, trail ambassadorship, office help and special events. Their match form to let them know what skills you can donate. gvlt.org/get-involved/volunteer/

There are so many more ways to engage with our community through volunteering, help yourself and others this Autumn with an idea or two from our lists.