Homeless & Poverty Outreach
Catherine McAuley House
Contact/Volunteer Coordinator:
Sr. Marie Larkin & Sr. Romaine Shannon, R.S.M.
121 Church Street, Plymouth, PA 18651
779-2801
Description of Opportunities:
Catherine McAuley House is dedicated to providing transitional housing for homeless women and women with children. Due to the circumstances of the McAuley House guests,
most volunteer opportunities are limited to women. Potential responsibilities include working 3-4 hour attendant shifts on weekdays, providing Sunday or overnight coverage, and transporting women for shopping and personal needs. A brief training session is required.
Male volunteers could help with various maintenance projects. Contact Sr. Marie or Sr. Romaine for more options.
Commission on Economic Opportunity
Contact/Volunteer Coordinator:
Maura Modrovsky
211 S. Main Street (food pantry)
165 Amber Lane, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
(food bank and central office)
826-0510
mamodrovsky@ceopeoplehelpingpeople.org
Description of Opportunities:
Provides services for low-income individuals and families. C.E.O. runs a regional food bank that supplies food to many different agencies and a food pantry that provides bags of groceries to needy individuals and families once a month. Volunteers pack food bags, help with distribution at the food pantry, and assist with distribution and loading at the food bank. One-time events like Thanksgiving and Spring food drives use volunteers as well. C.E.O. also has three Welfare-to-Work programs for G.E.D. preparation.
REACH - St. Stephen's
Contact/Volunteer Coordinator:
Stefanie Wolownik
35 S. Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
829-5611
OR
Description of Opportunities:
The REACH program serves the poor and underemployed with emergency food and a clothing room. Volunteers help to sort and distribute these goods. A volunteer desiring more direct contact with those receiving services should speak with the site contact. Volunteers are usually asked to volunteer once a week.
St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen
Contact/Volunteer Coordinator:
Anne Marie McCawley
39 E. Jackson Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
829-7796
Description of Opportunities:
St. Vincent's, just a short walk from King's, provides a hot lunch to anyone needing assistance 365 days a year. Bags of food are also available monthly. Volunteers prepare and serve meals or bag and distribute groceries in the food bank.
St. Vincent’s also operates a community furniture/household goods bank. Volunteers are needed to pick up, transport, and deliver furniture donations as well as to sort and organize household items in the kitchen’s “store.” These times are more specific than those at the kitchen.
The Book Concern
Contact/Volunteer Coordinator:
270 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
829-4091
Description of Opportunities:
Shelve books and categorize them.
Ruth's Place
Contact/Volunteer Coordinator:
47 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
822-6817
Description of Opportunities:
Stay with homeless women 7PM-7AM
Crossroads Coffeehouse
Contact/Volunteer Coordinator:
47 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
822-6817
Description of Opportunities:
Serve meal, entertain folks with music and poetry, play games/cards with them