Finding volunteer opportunities in Moscow is easier than you might expect. The University of Idaho’s Department of Student Involvement partners with GivePulse, a website that connects people with service opportunities nearby. The site allows users to browse and sign up for current volunteer requests, and it may introduce participants to organizations they were previously unfamiliar with. Not only does this benefit the organizations, but it also helps people who may not be aware of the resources available to them.
There are currently 140 organizations affiliated with the University of Idaho’s GivePulse page. One of these is the Vandal Food Pantry, located on campus. The Vandal Food Pantry is a nonprofit that seeks daily help stocking shelves and assisting visitors. Their goal is to support Vandals experiencing food insecurity, a widespread issue in the U.S. You can sign up for one of these volunteer shifts on GivePulse. Shifts typically range from 1 to 3 hours, but the pantry is flexible and works around students’ class schedules.
Volunteering through GivePulse can take many forms. Requests may include babysitting, cleaning projects, picking up waste, landscaping, and more. If you are interested in a specific type of service, GivePulse has a search feature where you can enter keywords to narrow your options. For example, if you can only attend events remotely, you can search for virtual opportunities. This allows you to tailor your volunteer experience to your preferences.
To access GivePulse, visit the Department of Student Involvement page on the University of Idaho’s website. From there, navigate to “Leadership & Volunteer Programs” and click on “Local Service Opportunities.” A yellow button in the top-right corner labeled “Log in to GivePulse” will take you to the University of Idaho’s GivePulse page, where you can scroll through the current volunteer opportunities. These events are posted several weeks in advance, making it easy to plan around your schedule.
There are many benefits to serving your community. In addition to the more obvious benefits, volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and belonging and can even lead to mental health improvements. In 2023, the American Heart Association reported on the work of Jeffrey Burr, a gerontologist at UMass Boston. Burr found that “compared to non-volunteers, volunteers have less depression, less anxiety, higher self-esteem, higher life satisfaction, greater happiness, and a greater sense of meaning in life.” Helping others can be a way to help yourself. Visit GivePulse and discover what opportunities await you.
Megan Kingsley can be reached at [email protected]