How you can help

Help River Valley Riders provide horseback opportunities for people with special needs. Horse leader and side walker needed. Horse experience is not required — just a willingness to learn. Must be comfortable around horses. Training provided. rivervalleyriders.org

Assist Good in the Hood with its food shelf program. Set up and distribute boxes. Several monthly occasions. goodinthehood.org

Help Ruff Start Rescue assist at-risk animals. Two-year terms with option to renew. Must attend board meetings and serve on a committee — approximately 3-5 hours a month combined. ruffstartrescue.org

Donate Good Stuff helps people find a home for used items. They work with nonprofits that can use a variety of items. Declutter, donate and help the environment. donategoodstuff.org

Bridging distributes furniture and household items to families transitioning out of homelessness. Hold a collection drive at your workplace, school, faith community, etc. Gather new or gently used kitchen items, bedding, cleaning supplies and others. bridging.org

Blood donors are needed at Memorial Blood Center's donor centers, 1-1/2 hours each time you donate. Must meet eligibility requirements. Call 651-332-7000 to determine eligibility. Minimum age is 16. mbc.org

Work at Salvation Army thrift stores. Accept and sort donations. Customer service and more. Stores are open daily and offer flexibility. Nine metro locations. salvationarmynorth.org

Urban Roots empowers youth through nature, healthy food and community by providing paid internships. Youth interns learn job skills, community involvement and healthy living through the lenses of urban farming, conservation and cooking. Opportunities available for individuals and groups. urbanrootsmn.org

LIBRARY ASSISTANT

Help Saint Therese of New Hope organize the in-house library, bring carts of books to residents, lead a reading club or start a book club. Flexible scheduling and training provided. sainttherese.org

Assist Help at Your Door with fix-it tasks in a client's home. Painting, minor carpentry, installation of window coverings and a variety of odd jobs. You will be matched according to your skills, availability and geographic preferences in the metro area. helpatyourdoor.org

Royal Guard Performing Arts has programs that combine the marching arts (marching band and color guard), music education and the performing arts. Assist as board and committee members, drivers, event coordinators, cooks, sewers or event management. royalguard.org

Share your professional skills to help Avivo provide haircuts to clients across the metro area, especially in Minneapolis. Minimum of 3 hours a month for 4 months. Must have active Minnesota license. avivomn.org

Help Moments Hospice give families respite by going into their home and connecting with the patient — reading aloud, sitting quietly, watching a movie, baking cookies, playing a game, writing cards, feeding birds, folding laundry, planting a window box or saying prayers. Patients in numerous locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. momentshospice.com

Find more:

HandsOn Twin Cities makes change happen. Thousands of volunteer opportunities are available in the Twin Cities for adults and youth, groups and families. For these and other opportunities visit the HandsOn Twin Cities website at handsontwincities.org.