 "Photo: Ellen Stuart")
More than 25 community service organizations were represented at the annual Community Service Fair, held Monday in the Strafford Room. Student organizations and local community service organizations attended, ranging from school programs to food pantries and animal shelters.
All groups pointed to the recession as a motivator in helping the community.
“There’s a catch-22 going on,” said Robin Albert of the Greater Seacoast United Way. “Non-profits are in crisis mode, and laying off employees because of the economy, but at the same time, the demand for their services is only increasing.”
When 2009 UNH graduate Sarah Kaiser finished her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, she decided not to go directly to graduate school and instead become a volunteer with Americorps Vista.
“I wanted a year off before grad school,” said Kaiser. “This was a great opportunity to really get out in the real world, and it’s an easy job to get.”
Kaiser said the demand for Americorps volunteers has increased since the economic recession hit, because the volunteers are paid only enough to cover living expenses and are cheaper than full-time employees.
This year Kaiser has been working at the Epping Recreation after-school program for kids in elementary and middle school.
“We do all kinds of things,” Kaiser said. “Sports, cooking, 4H—some of the summer recreation kids even had a rock band.”
Kaiser also mentioned that demand for after school program volunteers has increased dramatically.
“Parents are working longer hours and looking for somewhere for their kids to go after school,” said Kaiser. “We have many parents on a waiting list now, but we just don’t have the funding to take everyone. It’s a time and space issue.”
The Cornucopia Food Pantry at the Waysmeet Center is also feeling the effects of the recession.
“There’s no question that there’s been an increase in demand,” said Reverend Larry Brickner-Wood, the executive director of the United Campus Ministry. “We’re having a hard time keeping food on the shelves.”
Sophomore Cathie Plante, 19, an intern at the Waysmeet Center and a coordinator of the Cornucopia Food Pantry, said that the number of people who have simply become unable to feed themselves has noticeably increased.
“People are having trouble finding jobs,” said Plante. “Typical middle class people who didn’t used to need a food pantry now can’t afford food and are coming to us.”
Plante also said that the food pantry is available to anyone who needs it.
“We don’t ration the food, we don’t take names,” she said. “It’s here for anyone who needs it, no questions asked.”
Reverend Brickner-Wood said that anyone looking to help out could bring donations to the food pantry, located in the basement of the Waysmeet Center, at anytime. He emphasized that non-food items like soap, shampoo and toothpaste are always especially in demand.
Additional volunteer and community service opportunities, and non-profit internships, can be found on the Web site of the Greater Seacoast United Way. The site has a search engine for volunteer opportunities and internships at 250 local non-profits.
“We have internships and volunteer opportunities for students of all majors and skills,” Albert said. “Not just health and human services. There are opportunities that are environmental, or in arts and culture, or helping low-income families prepare their tax returns. We can use whatever skills a volunteer is bringing.”
Marianne Fortescue, the UNH Coordinator of Community Service and Learning also encouraged students to come by her office, located in the basement of Hitchcock Hall.
“We love talking to individuals and groups,” she said. “We serve in an advisory capacity and can help students find volunteer opportunities, whether it’s one time or for long term.”
Students can also subscribe to the office’s electronic bulletin board to receive emails about various volunteer opportunities, both locally and here at UNH.
“The students we work with are really interested in giving to the community,” said Fortescue. “But when you give to the community, you find that the community gives to you, too.”
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