Volunteers live healthier and longer lives. They’re happier. They have more social connections. Plus, volunteering looks great on a resume. So you know you want to spend some time volunteering, but how do you fit it into your busy life?

Sure, there are people who spend a lot of time volunteering, and maybe they don’t work or have small children at home. But many others find ways to give back, while still working full time, taking care of children and leading busy lives. Here are some ways you can fit volunteering into your life, no matter what else you have going on:

Go online

It’s the 21st Century, and people work, shop, and go to school—all from home, thanks to the Internet. Well, add volunteering to that list. If you’re so busy that you don’t have the time or can’t leave home, you can give back from the comfort of your couch. Here are some excellent options:

  • Volunteer Match: This service connects causes to people. It boasts that it’s connected millions of volunteers to tens of thousands of groups.
  • United Nations Volunteers: This program connects volunteers to groups in need. “Online volunteering is fast, easy—and most of all, effective,” according to the site.
  • DoSomething: This group focuses on mobilizing young people around the world to do good, and help a cause about which they care.
  • Your favorite nonprofit: You may be able to find an online volunteer opportunity from the source if you have a nonprofit group that you prefer. For example, the American Cancer Society lists online volunteer gigs on its own site.

Volunteering doesn’t have to mean leaving home or work early and spending hours at a nonprofit. It can mean doing good from your own computer.

Schedule a time

For many people, being able to schedule a date and time to volunteer makes it easier to fit it in. Organizations around the area give volunteers the ability to set their volunteer time. For example, at our food bank, we set schedules for recurring volunteers. We ask that they work at least two hours per week for at least six weeks, during our open hours. Our Community Gardens and Circles program are other options for people who want to schedule time to volunteer. UServeUtah and JustServe also list opportunities around the state for people who want to set a volunteer time. If you need to put a volunteer opportunity on your calendar, many nonprofits allow people to schedule a time to give back.

Walk in and more

Maybe you have time to volunteer, but your schedule is too fluid to set a date. If this is your situation, you can find opportunities at a variety of agencies for walk-in volunteers, and more. At Community Action Services, you can walk into our food bank during business hours and volunteer. You also can organize your own food drive or collect items for specialty kits and deliver them to our facility when you have time. There’s no reason a varying schedule should hold you back from volunteering. You can find a volunteer opportunity whenever you have time.

If you’re interested in giving back to your community, there are a variety of options available no matter how packed or varying your schedule is. You can find opportunities online or schedule a time to give back. You also can walk in when you’re available or hold your own drive. If you’re ready for more information about how you can help at Community Action Services and Food Bank, contact us by phone at (801) 373-8200 or online here.