The Senior Citizens Nutrition Program (SCNP) relies on volunteers to make the program a success.  If you are interested in becoming an SCNP volunteer, please review the opportunities below and complete the volunteer application form. 

Ongoing Opportunities/ Community Service Projects /
Special Events / Application Process / Questions

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
The program is always seeking individuals that are creative, enthusiastic, and have a desire to provide an invaluable service to the community. There are several volunteer opportunities that one can choose from:

1. Route Driver: Delivers lunch meals to homebound elderly seniors in Mecklenburg County. Having enough volunteers is critical to the success of the program.

2. Program Assistant: Assists in providing programs. Programs may include Bingo, cards, Health workshops, informative sessions, field trips, videos, etc.

3. Kitchen Assistant: Assists in preparation of packaging food for delivery, serving the food, stocking supplies, washing pots, and other general kitchen duties.

4. Dining Room Attendant: Works closely with the Site Coordinator in serving food, conversing with the senior citizens and cleaning tables.

5. Office Assistant: Assists in filing, faxing, making copies, distributing mail, etc

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
These are projects that can be done by an individual or a group (such as Boy/Girl Scout Troops, sororities, fraternities, church groups, etc.)

1. Making greeting cards: Homebound senior citizens enjoy receiving thinking of you cards and notes. These can be done at anytime. Volunteer drivers, who deliver the meals, will deliver the cards with the meal.
   
2. Making little gifts: homebound seniors enjoy receiving little gifts throughout the year. Homemade crafts are wonderful.
   
3. Elves for the Elderly: Through this project, items are collected and then distributed to homebound seniors of SCNP during the holidays. The Elves for the Elderly wish list includes, but is not limited to: non-perishable canned goods, body lotions, deodorants, body powder, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair combs, hair brushes, flashlight w/batteries, detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, shaving cream, razors, socks, large print books, etc. Please note: We also need gift bags for packaging the items for distribution
   
4. Serving as a Computer Buddy: Individuals would go to a site and assist participant(s) as they learn basic computer usage.
   
5. Adopting a nutrition site: Working with the site coordinator of a site, this project would allow an individual or group to assist with birthday celebrations, holiday celebrations, or other activities, accompany and assist the participants on certain outings.
   
6. Fishing Tournaments: Individuals are needed to help bait the line, pull the line in, give the seniors fishing tips, help serve lunch, etc.
   
7. Donate books, magazines, games: Most sites have a reading corner where seniors can get a book or magazine. Games will provide activities while the seniors are at the nutrition site.
   
8. Share your talent or skill: Help start a bridge club or pinnacle club. Do you sing dance, play an instrument? Are you a storyteller? Do you basket weave, or have some other craft talent?

SPECIAL EVENTS
Volunteers are instrumental in making these events a success from start to finish.  Times, Dates, and locations will vary.  Contact the SCNP Volunteer Coordinator to find out when and where the next event will be held.

1. Seniors Have A Heart: SCNP's annual Valentines Day celebration in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department.

2. Senior Games: An annual event where SCNP participants as well as other seniors participate in games similar to the Olympics format.
   
3. Mountain Trips: An annual event that provides opportunity for SCNP seniors to travel to the mountains to view the fall foliage.
   
4. Gifts of The Magi: An annual event that provides opportunity for seniors to have a FREE shopping extravaganza. This event is in partnership with the Faith Initiative of Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services.

APPLICATION PROCESS
All volunteers must complete an application.  There are two versions of the application available to you. 

• You can fill out the application on-line using the Microsoft Word version of the application.

or

• You can print the Adobe Acrobat version of the application and fill it out by hand. 

Only one application per volunteer is needed.  In either case you will need to sign the application and mail the completed application to the Volunteer Coordinator.  The mailing information is located toward the bottom of the application.

QUESTIONS
If you have questions about the volunteer opportunities, application or the program, please contact:

Jacqueline Hubbard, SCNP Volunteer Coordinator
Office: 704-336-4877 or email: JacquelineS.Hubbard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Ongoing Opportunities/ Community Service Projects /
Special Events / Application Process / Questions