The programs of Care & Share are planned and undertaken entirely by volunteers.   If you are able to assist us, we warmly welcome you.  Call 860-739-8502, and ask that our Volunteer Coordinator call you to discuss opportunities that will match your interests and use your talents.

Volunteers are welcome at our monthly membership meetings, which are usually held on the first Thursday evening of each month, at 7pm at the East Lyme police building on Main Street in Niantic.  We’re happy to have you as a volunteer even if you can’t make the meetings.  Every hour of time helps to make a difference.

Volunteer opportunities vary from working at the food pantry or at special events, to working with other community groups, and even include working from home on the telephone or computer. Opportunities include:

• Food pantry intake – Pick a Saturday that fits into your schedule, and help receive donations and stock the pantry shelves and freezer.
• Special Events Coordination –  Assist with Care & Share participation in Celebrate East Lyme (in July) and the Light Parade and Light Parade Fundraising Dinner (in December), as well as other events such as wine tastings that help us raise awareness as well as funding.
• Fundraiser Coordination – Help to organize an event to benefit Care & Share.
• Liaison to Churches, Civic and Youth Groups – Coordinate with one or more of the many community and business groups that help to leverage Care & Share’s efforts through fundraising, conducting food drives or providing seasonal food baskets.
• Liaison to School Nurses – Develop relationships with nurses in local schools, to ensure that they have an adequate supply of socks and underwear for emergencies, and healthy snacks for students who arrive at school without breakfast.
• Telephone Responder – Return calls from individuals who have contacted Care & Share requesting Emergency Assistance or inquiring about becoming a client. 
• Campership/Scholarship Evaluation – Review applications Care & Share has received to assist children and teens with camp fees, or to help defray the cost of secondary school education.
• Grant Writing – Research opportunities for Care & Share to apply for grants and/or complete grant proposals.
• Donor Correspondence and Recognition – Assist in writing appeal letters and in providing receipts and thank you letters to our donors.
• Publicity – Plan ways to increase the recognition of Care & Share in our community, develop relationships with the press, and write press releases.
• Website Updating –  Keep our website up-to-date with current information and news, as well as photographs of our activities and events.
• Holiday Support – Help to collect holiday gifts, coats and donations, or staff the holiday store.