Do you want to make a difference in 2014? If so, consider volunteering. It is the best way to get involved the community, while making a positive impact on all those around you. Listed below are four great organizations that are looking for people just like you:

1. Kids Food Basket

The Kids Food Basket is a non-profit organization that works to prevent children in the area from going to bed hungry. Sack suppers are prepared each day and distributed to kids in need at schools and public parks. These meals include items from all five of the food groups, to ensure each meal is nutritious.
Some ways to help include:

• Packing and delivering sacks
• Collecting food donations
• Decorating sacks
• Raising money

If you think you might be interested, call (616)454-9387 for more information.

2. Spectrum Health

This not-for-profit organization is comprised of eleven hospitals and one hundred and seventy ambulatory service sites. There are many different divisions within the Spectrum Health system in need of volunteers. These volunteer positions are vary and are matched with your talents and interests once an application is completed. Visit http://www.spectrumhealth.org/BecomingaVolunteer or call toll free at (866)989-7999 to find out more.

3. Well House

The Well House is a non-organization that provides affordable and safe housing to the homeless. The organization also has an Urban Garden Project which offers food education and opportunities to residents and others in the community. The project teaches the residents (and others) how to grow, gives them access to, urban grown food. There are many ways for volunteers to become involved from planting, weeding and watering gardens, to fixing up houses where the residents live. Call (616)245-3910 or reach them via email at contact@wellhousegr.org to find out how you can get involved.

4. John Ball Zoo Society

Do you love animals? If so, the John Ball Zoo Society is a great non-profit organization that needs your help. This organization offers many volunteer programs that include things such as educating visitors through tours, caring for the gardens, assisting the care staff, helping out at special events and much more. You can submit an application electronically at http://www.johnballzoosociety.org/volunteer.php or call Jim Swarts at
(616)336-4317 for more information.

If you are looking to put your time and talents to good use in 2014, consider volunteering for any of these four great organizations and make a difference in you community today.