Do you have four hours a week to help the community? Then the Retired and Volunteer Senior Program (RSVP) in Pierce County wants you.

The growing segment of the population age 55 and older is vital to strengthening communities through helping others. RSVP’s focus is to incorporate meaningful volunteer opportunities that provide purpose and a way to give back to the community, said Nancy McFarland, the program director.

Opportunities include:

• An upscale non-profit thrift shop in Tacoma has positions for sorters (knowledge of current fashions, styles, labels and value, and like to organize) and sales associate (personable and professional with customer-service skills and an eye for fashion).
• Food banks in Lakewood, Tacoma, Graham and Edgewood. Intake specialist, carryout, runner, floor lead, assistant manager.
• Community service agencies in Pierce County. Serving meals to seniors at meal sites, administrative/clerical positions (filing, data entry, mailings), handyman (such as taking down cubicles and rearranging them), and delivery driver (load bundles of newspapers into your vehicle at an office in Tacoma and deliver to distribution sites. Hours and days of delivery are flexible and can accommodate the volunteer’s personal schedule, but must be done during normal business hours. Drivers receive mileage.  

McFarland can be contacted for more information at Lutheran Community Services Northwest at 253-722-5695 and nmcfarland@lcsnw.org.