They do wonderful work. Rescuing food and at the same time feeing those in need and simultaneously…read moreproviding training in the service industry for individuals who could benefit from it. I call that a perfect trifecta. All the folks here are just really friendly and upbeat. I have never encountered a rude employee/volunteer here. Got leftovers from a company catering, or bought too much groceries, or run a business that may generate food waste? Bring what you cannot use to Second Helpings. No donation is too small or too big. Rest assured no food goes to waste. What they cannot use, they will pass on to other organizations. They do have guest speakers available if you want to do a food drive for them or inspire others. I try to attend their events like the Souper Bowl... Be prepared, this event is a mad house, but so much fun... Soup stations all around the building, try one, try all and then vote for your favorite. Some soups are also available for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks are usually provided. So next time you don't know what to do with food, your time or money, consider donating or volunteering for this organization. Well worth it.

It provides so much for Indianapolis and beyond. Food at no cost to over 200 agencies plus at many…read moreparks. The training program is valued at over $8,000 free of charge. Anyone completing the program can get an excellent paying job in the culinary industry. Second Helpings has an employment specialist on site. There are so many perks! Everyone there is happy! Anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer for as little or as much as they want to with very few exceptions.

On this beautiful #ThankYouThursday, I want to share some gratitude for Random Acts of Flowers!…read moreThis nonprofit accepts fresh flower and used vase donations, then creates pretty bouquets that they deliver to people in healthcare facilities. They're making peoples' days all around the city and I think it's such a rad mission. If you have a wedding or big event, you should definitely donate your florals to RAOF instead of tossing them afterwards so they can continue to spread joy. If you don't have flowers or vases to donate, you can volunteer to make the bouquets or create an event for your office or friend group to craft bouquets while you chat. Super fun and simple!

Random Acts of Flowers(RAF) is an amazing non-profit started by a guy named Larson who saw a need…read moreand immediately took action. This random act of kindness turned into Random Acts of Flowers... This organization has since grown to have locations not only in Indianapolis but also in the Knoxville and Tampa Bay areas. Over the years they've aided in the improved well-being of over 481,000 bouquet recipients nationwide!! This.is.AmAzInG!! Yesterday, through work, I had the opportunity to help create bouquets to be delivered at Eskenazi Health. Our goal was 125 bouquets, we surpass our goal and I couldn't be more thrilled! Feeling extremely blessed to have been apart of something that makes such a positive impact! Being a nonprofit they rely heavily on donations. Please up cycle your extra vases and unneeded floral arrangements. Together we can make a huge impact on someone recovering!

I love Indy Reads! You can donate used books on the first Friday of every month. It's a great way…read moreto clear out your bookshelf and feel better about purchasing a book on your way out. Not only is it a non-profit bookstore that will have you walking out with at least one book in hand, but it also has English literacy and other educational classes and opportunities! There is also a book club, author events, and children reading events. A true gem within the Fountain Square Community.

After parting with the vinyl shop we turn the corner and come across books outside noted FREE... we…read moreimmediately made a b-line over to take a look and see what they had to offer. There were alot of books to choose from. we were all able to find something . After which we went in to take a look around. They had a wonderful selection of childrens books, rare books as well. Its a medium sized spot but they fit a childrens corner in. I was pleased to find vintage Richie Rich and Sugar and Spike comic books for 1.00. This was certainly a wonderful place to stumble upon which had alot of gems inside. The vintage type writers were a really cool touch as well. Everything about this place was inviting and warm. At the cash register I came across an assortment of stickers and if you know me, you know I love stickers..Of course I grabbed a couple to complete my purchase. There is a space right by the door that has a sitting area, the leather chair was so comfortable but it was thw huge leather ottoman for me and the chess set that makes you wanna learn to play, if you do t already no how too. I could spend hours sitting and reading. Finally it was time to go but I will most certainly be back to see what other treasures I can find. Until next time Indy reads!!!

This community center is a much needed resource and I'm thankful to have it available for everyone…read morein the city! I personally visited as part of a local business fair that supported up-and-coming business owners connect with financial, marketing and start-up needs. This center also has a partnership with IPS and helps students find additional educational help, as well as a safe, quiet place to study. They also help with housing questions, offer a fitness zone, host workshops, advocate for east-side development and more. They're truly wonderful! Currently during COVID19, you can't walk in the offices without a meeting, so I'd suggest calling beforehand to book an appointment.

I visited the John Boner Center on a weekend during COVID to get on-boarded to work for the US…read moreCensus, which means the normal goings-on inside weren't happening. But I was able to look at all the photos and posters on the walls to see all the good things that happen there during the weekday. The John Boner Center offers a variety of community services for Indianapolis residents who need it. Right now, during COVID-19, you cannot just have a walk-in appointment. Please make sure you call ahead and schedule an appointment first, and wear a mask!

I first learned about Dotted Line Divas via my involvement with the Yelp Community and through Yelp…read moreCM Niki's support of the organization. Both personally and professionally, I filed it away in my "good to know" file and was pleased to learn about a dependable community resource meeting a unique, often unfulfilled need. As someone who has been homeless on two occasions in my life, a by-product mostly of having a significant disability that can create chaos at any moment, I've been in the position before of basically doing anything I can to survive. While it has been years since I've faced such challenges, having done so gives me a deep appreciation for those who address those needs and for those who find themselves in such a situation as it can truly happen to anyone. Dotted Line Divas is a faith-based non-profit organization (501c3) that utilizes extreme couponing methods to purchase personal care and hygiene items at a significant discount then turns around and gives these items to families in need. We're in the middle of a pandemic. There are a lot of families in need. Dotted Line Divas operates out of Mercy Road Church Northwest at 96th & Michigan Road. While the pandemic has impacted their once monthly pantry day on the third Saturday of each month, the pantry days go on but are treated as a "drive-thru" with people remaining in their vehicles when they arrive. The organization, which also teaches extreme couponing, opened its personal care pantry in 2016 and has grown in terms of families served and community awareness of the organization. They utilize at least 20 volunteers for each pantry day and are always seeking bilingual volunteers (especially Spanish and Burmese). Yes, Indy has a high Burmese refugee population. While I have donated to Dotted Line Divas, my review is actually based upon my experience helping a family access a pantry day and being able to successfully do so in a way that met the family's needs and did so with much love, respect, and dignity. While processes are in place for a reason and are incredibly necessary, I was impressed, and more importantly the family was grateful, with the kindness and compassion they received at a time when they'd found themselves in a serious financial challenge due to the pandemic and unable to meet their needs. By offering both goods and education about couponing, a nice combo undoubtedly designed by the founder who'd been through the experience herself, this organization offers more of a hand-up than simply a hand-out. This family needed some temporary support and, yes, it worked out ideally because with these hygiene items they were able to continue self-care, continue job interviews, and re-enter the workforce. I'm grateful that the founder has taken her own life experiences and is paying the good forward and I'm also grateful for the volunteers who support the organization and who gather to serve with their own individual gifts. I'm grateful that Indy is blessed by the presence of such an organization - as a community, I believe we're all responsible for one another and I'm absolutely certain Indy's a better community with Dotted Line Divas in it.

Dotted Line Divas was started by an incredible woman who, while going through a hard time a few…read moreyears ago, spent every Saturday driving to local pantries to collect items for her family. She quickly realized that most food pantries had almost no personal hygiene or home items necessary to sustain a family. She redirected her attention to couponing and became incredibly good at it. She now uses her extreme couponing skills to serve 100+ families each month. She opened a personal care pantry that offers the following: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care items, diapers, wipes, toilet paper, home cleaning supplies, detergent, deodorant, books and more. This pantry is located in the new Mercy Road church off of 96th and Michigan Road and is open for "pantry day" every third Saturday of the month from 10am-12pm. Families can register beforehand or show up and fill out paperwork. Volunteers will then call a family up, take them through the pantry and ask if there's anything our team can be praying for. If there are extra items in the pantry from 12pm-1pm, people who need it can pay $1 or $2 to snag additional items. There needs to be ideally 20 volunteers to make this nonprofit possible every third Saturday. Bonus points if you can speak Spanish or Burmese. Please sign up on their website sign up link before showing up to volunteer so they know you're coming. If you have a few extra hours, it'll mean the world to the families and you'll meet incredibly kind people that you'll feel honored to help! Everyone is so kind and sweet. I even learned a ton of Spanish thanks to the patient people who taught me while we shopped!

Last night the Ronald McDonald House had an event where they had a list of items needed for the…read morehouse. Paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, etc. If you brought some to the house you could help "pack the pace car" and get your picture taken in it. This was a great idea and I was so glad to see so many people donated. It was a two day event from 3-6 pm. You just pulled up at the circle and drop it off. They said they will most likely do this event next year because they had a great turn out. Years ago Yelp had event here where we baked cookies for the families at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a great way to help out the families that are going through so much. We got to see Mac the therapy dog and they took us on a tour of the house. All the families receive a bag full of items upon arrival. Some of these families live out of state while some are in state but maybe live far from Riley Hospital. They have volunteer opportunities as well as lists of items they may need periodically at the house. I hope Yelp does another event here again. I guess they had one a couple of years before I did the event during Christmas time. This is a great organization that I will definitely donate to again!

The Ronald McDonald House is one of those non-profits that you're excited to get behind because you…read moreknow they're well-run. They constantly need both volunteers to make breakfasts, dinners, frozen meals, and bake cookies. They also have nightly activities such as Bingo that they love volunteers to run. Sign up ahead of time to reserve your group. They take groups on a tour of the space and explain everything. I found this to be incredibly special, as it attached our group to the work we were about to do and the heart behind the organization. The Ronald McDonald House allows families to stay as long as they need while they're child is in Riley Hospital. Families stay for either one night to a year. The homemade meals are vital to provide, as people under the stress of having a loved one in the hospital often forget to eat and need to be cared for. They also accept donations - however everything does need to be new (nonperishable food, lotions, shampoos, soaps, toothbrushes, etc). The only thing that can be donated used is books (they have an awesome library for the families). We baked cookies with our group and it was a fun, group-bonding activity in addition to being able to provide for a group that needs it. Grab your friends and volunteer here for an evening!

Dear Girls Inc, You…read moregive me warm fuzzies and we're still just in the beginning stages of our relationship. All throughout college I thought to myself, "One day. One day, Brittany, you'll step up to the plate to be a Girls Inc volunteer like all those other cool professional ladies out there. One day." 'Tis the day where I get to hang out with teenage girls and talk about things like money management, being independent and doing your own damn thang. Fortunately, for my roller coaster of a schedule, you are not only extremely organized but manageable for those of us who fear taking on more than we can chew. You even have your own custom shoulder bags. How much more official does it get than that? Consider this a thank you note. A "thank you" for the opportunity and a "thank you" for all you're doing in the city. Yours truly, Britt

From the owner: Girls Inc.® of Greater Indianapolis inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We provide…read morehands-on programs that address the challenges that girls face today, such as self-esteem and bullying. We want girls to be healthy, educated, and independent. Girls Inc. partners with schools and community organizations and utilizes volunteers to deliver programs for girls.

Bought some of the products made from recycled Amtrak leather seats. We're railfans, so appreciate…read morethe opportunity to own products made from Amtrak recycling. They also made recycled products from the roof fabric of the Hoosier Dome. It's a non profit committed to sustainability. Products are a bit expensive, but excellent quality construction and well designed.

Wow. Just wow. I had heard of PUP and thought they were similar to USI because I know them for…read moretheir 317 tees and Indianapolis apparel, but they are so much more than that. PUP is focused on turning trash into treasure. They collect refuse from the city and repurpose it into something brand new. They're responsible for the "pup seats" at bus stations around town that are Bush Stadium baseball seats. Way cool! What got me was that they salvaged 13 ACRES of material from the RCA Dome roof...and now they use it to make wallets and messenger bags! SO COOL. They also have old signage from the 2012 Super Bowl that Indy hosted and use it in the bags, as well. PUP gathers volunteers to scrounge around the junkyard every month. For example, they use old seat belts as straps for bags...how creative and smart! PUP has a great mission and is doing really cool things in the city - check 'em out! The studio in Fountain Square is a bit hard to find in the Murphy Arts Building but it's a cool studio vibe. My only complaint is that I wish their products weren't so expensive - i had my eye on a duffel bag but it was $150+ dollars!

I've been a volunteer with Starfish for over 2 years now, and it has been the most rewarding…read morevolunteer experience I've ever had. The program matches college graduates with high school students who are typically going to be first generation college students and whose families' income falls within a range similar to the requirements for the 21st century scholars program. I was matched with a wonderful scholar who needed a rematch in her sophomore year because her previous mentor had to withdraw from the program. We took art classes, visited colleges, explored some parks, museums and ate out at fun restaurants. We also worked on college applications and stressed waiting to hear back...and I'm thrilled to say my scholar just started this summer at IU!! I'm looking forward to exploring Bloomington with her on my upcoming visits! If you're looking for a volunteer experience that will give you the chance to build a relationship and help make a difference for a young person I highly recommend Starfish! Time commitment needs to be regular, at least twice a month face to face with texting and calls in between, but can be anytime and anywhere that works for you and your scholar. I'm signed up to be matched with a new freshman in addition to staying on as a mentor with my now post Starfish college student. I'm hoping some other Yelpers will join me!

Great organization. They have really made some strides and do some great work for high school…read morekids. Plus a beautiful uplifting well decorating facility.

If you are looking for volunteering opportunities, Gleaners is Wonderful!! I've volunteered here a…read morefew times and it's very well organized, and fulfilling. Just go to www.gleaners.volunteerhub.com to get started, sign up for a shift or a few. I've done the front of house and gotten hugs from some of the recipients that walk through, and yesterday I tried doing the back warehouse area. The magnitude of food that comes through is astounding. In the few hours that I was there we sorted through about 500 pounds of food? I enjoyed helping with the warehouse to see where it all begins just as much as I've enjoyed helping in the front of house. A common task in the front is taking food to vehicles since you can't take the shopping carts in the back, and there are quite a few elderly that come in. If you have extra time, they have more than 26,000 volunteer visits each year. Check it out, it seems to make me think my problems are not that bad whenever I do a shift.

I really enjoyed volunteering here. It was very impacting. I've never worked in a warehouse before…read morebut I would imagine that it's similar to the assembly line we had. I was at stop 3 so I handed out salad, peppers, or brocolli along with a pack of Starry and a bag from Starbucks. I didnt give 5 stars because some of the bags had old dates. I asked what the dates meant and was told not to worry about it. Many of the families driving through were very grateful and thanked us while the others looked away or didnt say anything at all. I was really happy to serve the community and would enjoy going back.