Getting your required service hours may seem like a daunting task; it may be difficult to find opportunities to get these hours, and make these hours count. In this article I will list different opportunities and explain them. 

With the government shutdown causing economic uncertainty in this country with no end in sight, it is more important than ever to help your community. A great local nonprofit in Middletown, CT, is the soup kitchen through St. Vincent de Paul. They serve food to people who are living in poverty. Their goal is to make a positive difference in their community and help less fortunate people. 

Another volunteer opportunity is the United Way of Connecticut. It is a statewide organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents with programs to help with education, health, and financial stability. The organization connects people in need with important services while giving many ways for students to give back to their community. High school students can volunteer at local events such as food or clothing drives. Interested students can visit the United Way of Connecticut website to find age-appropriate volunteer opportunities: United Way of Connecticut – United Way of Connecticut.  

The Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic, Connecticut, is a community organization dedicated to providing meals and support to people in need. Volunteers help prepare food, serve meals, organize donations, and help with cleaning up after each service. High school students can sign up for shifts through their website: Covenant Soup Kitchen. 

These organizations welcome volunteers who are compassionate, dependable, and eager to make a positive difference in their community. By volunteering, students not only earn service hours but also gain valuable experience and help others in their local area. If we are required to complete community service, why not make these hours count by helping those in the greatest need?