Sign up: These Springfield-area nonprofits are looking for volunteers this holiday season

Groups or individuals looking to lend a helping hand this holiday season have a number organizations in and around the Springfield area to choose from.

While some organizations have special holiday programs or needs, for others volunteering is needed all year round.

Please note that some organizations have specific requirements about who can help. It is always best to check the agency's website or contact them directly for any resolution.

St. John's Breadline

Address: 430 N. Fifth St.

Phone: (217) 528-6098

Website: www.cc.dio.org/programs/st-johns-breadline

The organization traditionally serves free hot meals to the homeless, disabled community, and people on fixed incomes. Volunteers can help with serving and packaging meals. Shifts are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery Holiday Store

Address: 1919 W. Monroe St. (Fairhills Mall)

Phone: (217) 525-6800

Website: www.miniobeirne.org

The Holiday Store helps young shoppers, who are paired up with volunteers, pick out and wrap gifts for others. The Holiday Store operates from Nov. 25 to Dec. 17 on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Volunteers must be 14 or older. Volunteers at the Crisis Nursery, 1011 N. Seventh St., must be 21 and over, have a background check and three letters of recommendation.

Helping Hands of Springfield

Address: 1023 E. Washington St.

Phone: (217) 522-0048

Website: www.helpinghandsofspringfield.org

Helping Hands provides homeless services to adults 18 years and older. Volunteers can assist with meal trains for the shelter. There are also mentorship opportunities with the shelter and housing programs, along with the agency's support groups. Volunteers under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult/guardian.

Salvation Army

Address: 1600 Clear Lake Ave.

Phone number: (217) 525-2196

Website: www.registertoring.com/faq.aspx

Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign volunteers can sign up to ring bells at one of the Christmas Kettle locations or go to www.registertoring.com. Groups, businesses, and individuals can also create virtual kettles. For other volunteer opportunities and events, go to saspringfield.org or The Salvation Army Springfield, IL & Sangamon County Facebook page.

Wooden It Be Lovely

Address: 501 S. Douglas Ave.

Phone number: (217) 606-5307

Website:www.woodenitbelovely.love

Volunteers can help prime furniture or help with boutique products at the Wooden It Be Lovely studio at Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Wooden It Be Lovely gives women recovering from forms of addiction, poverty, or abuse jobs refurbishing furniture, sewing, or making candles. It holds regular furniture sales and operates the Be Lovely Boutique at 801 S. Grand Ave. West.

Senior Services of Central Illinois

Address: 701 W. Mason St.

Phone number: (217) 503-4623

Website: www.centralilseniors.org/

Deliver Meals on Wheels or Daily Bread to homebound seniors with Senior Services of Central Illinois. Volunteers must be at least 18 with a valid driver's license and car insurance. Volunteers are assigned routes from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday for Meals on Wheels and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for Daily Bread.

Animal Protective League

Address: 1001 Taintor Road.

Phone number: (217) 544-PETS (7387)

Website: www.apl-shelter.org

Volunteer experiences at the adoption pet shelter include dog walking, cat and dog socialization, pet therapy visits, office and yard work, off-site adoption events, and fundraising. Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. A volunteer orientation is required.

One Stop Sangamon County

Website: www.springfieldonestop.org/

One Stop Sangamon County is looking for volunteers for its One Stop Christmas Shop. The shopping experience will be at White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Volunteers are needed as personal shoppers and line assistants (must be at least 18 years old) and shopping bag/cart assistants (must be 16 or 14 accompanied by a responsible adult). Volunteers are asked to give at least two hours and 15 minutes. There will be a volunteer training event from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 with a location to be determined. Sign up at www.signupgenius.com.

Midwest Mission Distribution Center

Address: 1001 Mission Dr., Pawnee

Phone: (217) 483-7911

Website:www.midwestmission.org

Midwest Mission sends Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and personal dignity kits, among other items, to places that have experienced disasters globally. Volunteers must be at least 11 years old and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The center has two shifts daily: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m. Volunteers are asked to sign up at least two days in advance.

Contact Steven Spearie: (217) 622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Salvation Army and other groups have volunteer opportunities available