The Season of Giving: Fall SSL Opportunities

For many students, SSL hours may seem like an unstimulating requirement for graduation. However, that perception often changes once you discover the variety of opportunities available across MCPS. This fall brings a new wave of volunteer opportunities that connect you with your community while giving back during the season of generosity. With so many options out there, you might start looking forward to earning SSL hours, as it can be both rewarding and enjoyable. The Montgomery SSL Calendar is always available for anyone to check out new and upcoming opportunities.

Food Distribution (Donations)

Unfortunately, food insecurity is a growing problem; however, there are plenty of ways to help. Whether you’re volunteering at a food pantry, serving meals, or organizing donations, your time and effort can make a real difference. Check out the opportunities below to see how you can help fight hunger in multiple communities across the county.

• Join a virtual KindSoup for Students on Sunday, November 2nd, to cook up a new recipe to share with your family and community. 
• Help out in Northern Bethesda at their acclaimed Outdoor Food Distribution every Saturday!
• Warehouse support is needed in North Bethesda to help with varying labor tasks. 
• Volunteers needed at Takoma Park Food Pantry to help with setup, distributions, and cleanup of the food pantry. 
• Distribution Volunteers are needed at Neelsville Middle School, all occurring after October. 
• Saturday food Distributions happen on the third Saturday of each month in Gaithersburg. Those who speak in addition to English are encouraged to apply.    
• Food Forest volunteer day at Montgomery College on November 1st. Join every first Saturday of every month to help sow, harvest, water, and more!
• Check out Small Things Matter and see their ongoing opportunities. 

Volunteering at a food distribution is the most accessible opportunity year-round. It’s very flexible and can fit into your schedule, whether you’re available once a month or more frequently. No matter how often you participate, your contributions make a difference. 

Creative Activities

Other activities don’t require any heavy lifting but just a bit of creativity. However, small acts of creativity can mean much more than you think. Writing a thoughtful letter, designing an art journal, or making artwork for someone who needs encouragement can brighten their day. 

• Create Ornaments for a community Christmas Tree and share your creativity with the local community in Gaithersburg!
• Activities and Music with Seniors can be a new and fun experience at The Holy Cross Medical Adult Day Center in Silver Spring.  
• Write Inspiring Letters for Cancer Patients to fill their day with hope and determination to continue on with their journey. 
• Decorate Art Journals for Cancer Patients to give them a new, inspiring space to work on.
• Crochet Stuffed Animals for Cancer Patients not only brighten their day but to also serve as a symbol of encouragement during a challenging time.

Creative activities are a fun and meaningful way to serve others. Through letters to cancer patients, music, or crafted ornaments, your projects can spark hope and positivity for others, allowing you to artistically express yourself while earning SSL hours.

Animal Buddies

Offering a helping hand to animals in need is a rewarding way to make a difference. Whether you’re walking dogs, assisting shelters with adoption events, or helping farms, your time and compassion for these animals help create a safer, happier life for them. You might even be responsible for helping them find their forever homes.

• Help with the handling or transportation of dogs through the Lucky Dog Animal Rescue adoption event on Sunday, November 23rd, at Silver Spring PetSmart. 
• Assist at an Agricultural History Farm Park with its special events and programs.
• Help at a farm on a Saturday to take care of their animals. 
• Animal adoption event held every second Saturday of each month.
• Volunteer at A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue.  

 Environmental Cleanup

If you want to make a difference in our environment, there are plenty of ways to get involved. By clearing litter from rivers, forests, and parks, you help wildlife and keep natural spaces clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Every effort, big or small, creates a healthier planet. 

• Cleanup for the White Oak community on November 9. 
• Park and River Cleanup with Potomac Conservancy to keep your drinking water clean.
• Help clean up Wisteria Drive in Germantown on Saturday, November 8. 
• Thanksgiving Park Cleanup at Black Hill Regional Park on November 24.

In School Activities

If the opportunities off of the school campus aren’t the most convenient way for you to earn SSL Hours, there are plenty of choices right here at Blake. Many class projects, events, and clubs will often offer SSL hours for participating and completing activities that support our school community. 

• Clubs and Honor Societies: Bridge to Wellness, FAIR, Key, National Honor Society, Hispanic Leadership, etc. 
• Volunteer as an assistant to help a teacher during instruction time.
• Projects/Assignments: Health awareness project, letter to your Governor, Choose Respect Video Contest
• Volunteering in school events, such as becoming an ambassador or translator. 

Completing SSL hours is not as terrible as it seems when you find rewarding opportunities that meet your interests.