On Wednesday, August 21, Planet Aid had the opportunity to participate in a volunteer day at Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services, Inc. (LARS). The nonprofit is an indispensable part of its community, providing several emergency services for unhoused, unemployed, and food-insecure residents in Laurel, Maryland.
LARS partners with Planet Aid to provide a tangible, local, charitable, impact. The nonprofit is a three-time recipient of the Planet Aid Capacity and Environmental (PACE) grant, awarded to four U.S.-based nonprofits to implement locally-developed solutions for community development projects highlighting sustainability and capacity building.
Planet Aid team members, Christina Jones, Joshua McPherson, and Acadia Noll, volunteered as Food Pantry Assistants. They helped sort, organize, and pack groceries for LARS' food pantry program. Christina Jones, Planet Aid's School and Community Programs Manager, remarked, "Not only was it a great way to give back to the community, but it was also a very eye-opening experience to learn about the reality of food insecurity in the area."
Volunteering at organizations like LARS is a valuable way to understand the needs of your community and become part of the solution. LARS is open for volunteers throughout the year. The organization also accepts food donations, toiletries, diapers, and incontinence briefs during its hours of operation.