I volunteer for various organizations throughout the year and this is one of my favorites…read more Basically, you spend a full day out of your life to help build components of a homesite for Habitat for Humanity. They mainly use donated materials from construction companies that are of good quality with volunteers supplying the labor. The finished homes are inspected as any home would and are offered under a loan program that allows a family down on its luck to recover. In our recent event, I helped build a fence and frame a shed, shoveled and laid down gravel at the job site. The rest of the group laid down tiles and painted the walls in the house. The before and after in just one day was astonishing. It is a great exercise for the body and also for team building. To volunteer, you will need to sign up on their website and attend a short one hour safety orientation. Schedule the day you want online and just show up with appropriate gear (e.g. work boots, jeans, old shirt, gloves and some tools. They will provide a hard hat and some tools too for the job. I urge you to join the fight against poverty housing and homelessness. We can make a difference if we all chip in just a little bit!

I volunteered for H4H (helped them build houses) and then joined the Disaster Relief team. Went to…read moreseveral different countries for them. They treated me very badly including lying to me. Then then dropped me because I am not a Christian. They have no general plan (that is followed) and local chapter head decides whether you stay with the organization. I will never work for them again.

Great volunteer opportunity for people of all ages…read more This warehouse is a food distribution center that is used to sort bulk food into family-sized portions. There are two large rooms where the work takes place and each can hold up to 60 volunteers (120 people total). The shifts are all 2 hours long with the first 30 minutes allowed for preparation activities like putting on hairnets and getting an introduction to the facility and the work. At that point, depending on whether the shift is full, you separate into two teams. On my most recent volunteer shift our group was working with oats. Once we were in the work room, each person chose a job. Some scooped oats into bags, others secured the bags closed with tape and put them in boxes, a few replenished oats for the teams, and a small set moved the bags of oats between the scooping table and the boxers. The 90 minutes of actual work time flew by very quickly as people got to know each other and got into a work rhythm. Upon completion of the work, we spent time cleaning the floors and tables and then took a group photo with a sign revealing how many meals we bagged. NW Harvest provides an organized, quick, and inspiring experience for volunteers and I highly recommend a visit.

I've volunteered here 5 times now and always have a great experience with how friendly and…read moreenergetic everyone is, and how smooth, safe, and clean the work gets done. Big props to the folks who work here everyday and enable all of us to make a difference! If you volunteer here, make sure you a arrive a little before the start of your shift so you can sign in and suit up (hair and beard nets provided). Make sure you wear closed toed shoes and bring a hair tie if you have long hair. Dress in layers as it can be cold or warm depending on the day and what you are doing. There are small lockers for free in the gathering room to store your belongings. You can volunteer by yourself or plan a group volunteer event. I've been volunteering on behalf of Boeing for a while now it's always a ton of fun! There is ample free parking as well in their lot.

Blessed. Handicapped, volnerable adult, Im stuck in bed 1/2 the month. The box was was delivered to…read moremy front door with some fruit and meat on top. Rice, beens, mac n cheese, tomatoes sauce, spaghetti, small bottle of oil, soup, can of corn, greens, pears and some oatmeal. It is bare bones. I am grateful that the folks at Eloise's took the effort to make sure there would be food on my table to feed my soul. Thank you everyone for the kindness that you share everyday!!

This is an updated review... I have been using Eloise's food bank for a couple months now and I…read morecontinue to have more and more wonderful experiences. There is still the one staff member I mentioned previously, I believe her name is Amanda, who is just... Very very rude and disrespectful. But I'm not going to let her attitude hold back a place like this. The lady with the head wrap who was giving out hot coffee on Saturday, you are a rock star. And the skinny guy with face tattoos was a really genuinely good guy. So I have updated my review and given more stars. Good job giving the community hope Eloise!

Their heart is in the right place to be sure. My review is for the volunteer experience. I TRIED…read moreto help, and gave up after several futile attempts. The office area is a disaster (and probably a fire & health hazard as well). Aged stacks of paperwork floor to ceiling. No system or place for working or filing. Dead plants, old dusty Christmas displays, expired food, ancient paperwork... this and more clutters the back office, making it near impossible to find things (lost the list of children who needed backpacks for example), work comfortably, or stay on top of needed paperwork. They could deliver on the mission so much more effectively & efficiently if someone would just clean, purge, and organize. Many have offered (me included) - it seems as if the Executive Director has some combination of founder's syndrome or hoarding disorder that is impeding any movement on the massive clutter. God bless the employees & volunteers who keep this place running despite the chaos. It can't be easy!

Awesome food bank. Good selection and friendly and helpful volunteers. I always get a good amount…read moreof food.

Awesome space in the heart of Auburn! I sought out Auburn Community and Event Center for a meeting…read morethat I was planning and the staff was incredibly helpful and very responsive. When I first contacted the Center - I inquired about a date, which had been set, but had to end up rescheduling three times due to last-minute and unexpected scheduling conflicts from one party. However, despite the constant date changes on my end - the staff was super nice and understanding about it. They were not bothered at all by the rescheduling of their facility and made it clear they were just happy to help. When I arrived to the meeting space, I realized that it was located in Les Gove Park, which is located right in downtown Auburn. Having the Auburn Community & Event Center central to the city and in a popular park makes it more attractive for the public to utilize this space. The building is also new and modern with a ton of parking in their lot. They have multiple community rooms that they offer to the public to rent out - and also have several city and community events that occur here, in addition to the teen center. If you're looking for a space to use in Auburn, the Auburn Community & Events Center provides a great venue. It's easy to find, central to the city, and the building is spacious, bright and new.

We camped here with hookups, a fantastic location a cozy wooded setting with the river next to it…read more However the bathrooms had no showers and needed some serious upgrades. I'll certainly stay here when they have a new upgraded bathrooms. The staff could have let us use the bathrooms and shower at the community center bu they dud not oblige.

I have volunteered at this food bank and will continue to do so. I feel so blessed to be able to…read moregive my time to serve my community. I know from experience what it is like to have very little to no food to eat and go to bed hungry. The majority of people are very appreciative and very thankful to be able to get food here. God bless you and give you the strength to get back on your feet.

I've had multiple interactions over a couple of years at this food bank where communication with a…read moreparticular staff member made the experience difficult and uncomfortable. Most recently, my wife called to reschedule an appointment. During the call, she was given instructions very quickly in a way that was hard to follow. When she asked clarifying questions, the tone became noticeably impatient and dismissive, including repeated condescending laughter. The interaction left her feeling embarrassed rather than helped. This isn't an isolated experience. On several past visits and calls, we've encountered similar behavior -- condescending tone, impatience when asking questions, and communication that felt more confusing than helpful. I also had one in-person interaction while updating our information that followed the same pattern. Because of these repeated experiences, we've even taken breaks from using the service in the past. The food bank itself provides an important service, but consistency in respectful communication from staff really matters when people are already in a vulnerable situation. My man, if interacting with the general public irritates you THIS MUCH, you are in the wrong line of work.

The donor tour is an incredible experience! I feel like they take you to Africa; literally! So…read morecool. They got an A- from Charity Watch Here, I began my own inward journey. And I'm thankful to World Vision for that. A lot of donors don't actually know what they do... World Vision builds small area development projects about 20,000 people large in really bad areas. So if a war breaks out in Somalia and the leaders of Somalia who receive rations from the UN can't get water to the people, World Vision might step in and drill a well if it gets bad enough. The "I" tells you before the son and the sun were I was and we were in the father as the father is in Jesus and Jesus is in me. However, these stars were stars of their own show in heaven and so it was like that when I worked here. But I can tell you more about that later. Sadly, there's no "I" in World Vision anymore. Don't worry. You are. Truly truly I tell you even if you give because when you give the weight of your heart is lightened because my burden is easy. Even when you're afraid, my beloved sons and daughters, to trust that faith entered into the mind equals your heart overflowing with hope and that hope, when knowledge converts to brotherly affection, in a life full of love on earth and doing good because good spiritual forces in heaven fuel heaven as plant food expedites the creation of good fruit. And because donating to God is good. And this action - donating, is an action that task oriented Jesus followers, faithful World Vision followers, like you, rightfully believe is fueling the faith it takes to find knowledge and the pursuit of heaven, which will keep the spirit of Jesus alive in the kingdom here on earth for years to come. So give!!!

I've supported World Vision for nearly 20 years. Progressively, communications with my sponsor…read morechild is questionable. The vocabulary and wording of correspondence is generic from communication to communication and much more like an adult than and child's. Recently, I received a video of my sponsor child speaking to me, but when I asked World Vision for a translation they could not assist. That is a HUGE RED FLAG on so many levels! The lack of effort on the part of World Vision is shocking. Considering that they employee people of many nationalities and they do not make the added effort to tell me what my sponsor child is saying in a video is beyond disappointing. After decades with them, I am done with this organization. Shame on you World Vision.

After the passing of my father in June of 2019, I was faced with the huge task of what to do with…read morethe massive collection of clothing, work coats, various jackets, and more boots than any one person should ever own. I would say 60% of these items were brand new! After discussing things with my Mom and we both agreed that trying to sell everything would be a monumental task on its own, especially since most people want to pay as little as possible for things sold at garage sales, we decided we would give much of my fathers things away ONLY to organizations that would then give these items to folks who need them. So I chose the Tacoma Rescue Mission as they do important work and need the donations to help people out. I spent the last few weeks going through and packing up the plethora of shirts, pants, cargo pants, work pants, overalls, work jackets (Carhartt), and work-type boots. I eventually ended up with around 45-50 large bags. Two guys in the donation area unloaded everything (after several cart loads) and commented they don't see donations this size from private parties. There will be more for me to donate I'm sure, so I'll bring another massive van load when I am back in the area.

Age ranged: 18+…read more Everything is horrible now. 5am lights cut on. 6am everyone gets up. Be out by 7. No matter if there is weather, rain, snow, and hail you have to be outside. 7:30am comes. Breakfast. Now it's a hit or miss but it's food so I can't complain and thankful for the volunteers. But it's what happens after breakfast which I will now explain my big issue. The men's side has a day room. Harsh weather hits hard sometimes and all of 60+ aged or disabled (with paper proof) can be the only ones inside. Everyone else has to leave the premises. I was 18 when I went there which was a huge mistake. Standing outside in the weather for long periods of time. A 20 million dollar building being made but treats the residents like sh**. Not even that but the women's side, so small compared to the men's which they have access to the fridge, kitchen, more and more things. You would think that if you have 20 million dollars you would put 10 million into each for expanding both since more women are going and experiencing homelessness. But no. Not at all. They play favorites here so badly. It took my friend who is a man 2 months to get a place. Ive been there for over 3 months left after my 3 month mark and an additional 2 months to still not even get help when I had a good paying job. They go based off of favorites and who they like more to actually use the money that is being funneled into this organization. That's the thing, all of this money, all of these resources and not once do anyone see or ever hear about these resources. You could go to TRM right NOW and ask any of the residents and they will say the same. They don't do events, most times the food is cold or you could pick up grits with your thumb and index finger. If they were actually using their money to help their residents, why is it that I met women who been there for over 5 years who had been trying to leave that place? Then it started to click. This place doesn't want you to thrive but they keep you there. But anyways 5:00pm comes, dinner is served. 6:00 is here, some if not most of the men goes inside, women's side has to wait until 6:30. And if the bell get rung before 6:30 for whatever reason they make you wait outside as punishment for a few extra minutes. That's true and you can ask about it. 6:30 hits, go inside, shower, dress up, get ready to sleep. Then 8 hits. Lights out. If you do have a dog allergy then I feel heavily bad for you.