Franklin & Marshall College

Volunteer and serve those in need

'12, is the Social Justice intern at the Ware Institute for Civic Engagement, if you are interested in any of the opportunities listed below, or if you have any more ideas for F&M's involvement in the area of social justice in Lancaster.

Be sure to check this page occasionally for updated information. Please consider taking some time to volunteer and talking to your friends about volunteering!

The Ware Institute can provide group transportation if needed.

Social Justice Volunteer Opportunities

Water Street Rescue Mission
Location: 210 S. Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17604
The Mission has been feeding the hungry for over 100 years! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served every day to the homeless or people living on the edge in Lancaster county.

• Specific Needs: Meal servers on the second Wednesday of each month (this is a good opportunity for a group of students)

Teen Haven
Location: 210 S. Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17604
A division of Water Street Ministries whose purpose is to reach urban youth with the gospel, discipling them to maturity, and equipping them to be leaders in their communities.

• Specific Needs: tutoring, helping with crafts and/or playing sports/games
• EDGE Program for middle school girls: Mondays 5:00 - 6:30pm

Clare House
Location: 344 E. Chestnut St, Lancaster, PA 17602-2708
Clare House serves homeless women and children by providing a temporary home in a caring environment, life skills programs and aftercare support leading to self-sufficiency.

• Specific Needs: babysitting, supply drive, meal preparation, donation organization

Domestic Violence Services

DVS serves victims of domestic violence, and you can help by interacting with the children of victims.  Play with children in group activities or act as a tutor for them!

Hamilton Arms Center

Join new elderly friends in a nursing home for one-on-one talks or to assist in activities like book club, knitting club, or gardening club. Come with a group or on your own!

336 South West End Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603

Spanish American Civic Association

SACA is a neighborhood-based organization which works for the benefit and well-being of Lancaster’s Hispanic population. If you speak Spanish, why not make friends with one of the elderly Latinos at the SACA Senior Center? For English-only volunteers, there are also possibilities to help out with English classes or with outreach in the HIV clinic.

545 Pershing Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602

St. Anne's Church
Location: 929 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
Brown Bag Lunch Program

• Specific Needs: Help pack and hand out brown bag lunches to those in need

Meals on Wheels
Location: 1085-B Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601

Meals on Wheels is a nation-wide program that delivers meals to individuals at their home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals.

• Specific Needs: transport meals to various local recipients and take food into the homes, meal preparation in the kitchen 8:00am - 10:00am.

Lancaster County Council of Churches Food & Clothing Bank
Location: 344 North Marshall Street
Lancaster County Council of Churches has been providing ecumenism and outreach to Lancaster County for over 60 years.

• Specific Needs: Volunteers pack food orders for families, stock food shelves, sort clothing donations Monday thru Friday - daily

San Juan Bautista Parish
Location: 425 S. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602

• Specific Needs: Assist with food pantry

San Juan Bautista Parish - The Plaza
Location: 441 South Lime Street Lancaster, PA 17602

• Specific Needs: Volunteers assist with homework, handwriting, spelling and reading

Contact to volunteer to help in ANY of these areas.

"The work that these organizations are doing is vital at a time when so many people are struggling financially and needing to depend on food banks and soup kitchens for their daily meals. I enjoyed working at the Capital Area Food Bank today along with 160 of our Congressional spouses. I hope we will all continue to stay involved whether it is by donating goods or volunteering our time.”
                                           – First Lady Michelle Obama 4/29/09