Needs From: United Way of the Lakeshore

Care Kit Drive: Box Pickup & Delivery Helper

Date: Thursday, January 22
Time Window: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Start Time: 10:00 AM (flexible!)
Shift Length: ~2 hours
Location: Pickups/drop-offs coordinated by United Way of the Lakeshore
Requirements: Reliable vehicle & ability to lift boxes

What You’ll Do

Be the behind-the-scenes hero who keeps our Care Kit Drive moving! Volunteers will help pick up and deliver boxes of donated items that will be used to assemble care kits for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Your support ensures everything is in the right place before packing day.

Why It Matters

These care kits will be handed out during the Point-in-Time Count, helping outreach teams connect people experiencing homelessness with resources, warmth, and dignity. Your time and your trunk space make a real difference.

What You Need to Know

Must have a reliable vehicle

Ability to lift and carry boxes

Route details and exact pickup/drop-off locations will be shared after sign-up

Start time is flexible within the 9–5 window

A perfect opportunity for volunteers who like independent, flexible service with a big impact!

Survey Volunteer – Point-in-Time (PIT) Count

Volunteer Opportunity Description:
Survey Volunteers support the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count by surveying individuals experiencing homelessness in the community. Volunteers will work in assigned teams of 3–4 people and canvass a mapped area that includes locations where people experiencing homelessness have previously been encountered, such as encampments, parks, alleys, underpasses, and service locations.

Each team will be deployed to a specific area and use plotted locations on their map as starting points. Team members will respectfully conduct the PIT Count Survey with individuals they meet during canvassing. Whenever possible, volunteer teams will include at least one person with prior experience working with people experiencing homelessness and/or previous PIT Count experience.

Volunteer Requirements

Must be 13 years or older
(Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian)

Ability to accurately and carefully collect data and maintain confidentiality

Willingness to respectfully engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds

Commitment to personal safety, including traveling with a partner or team

Volunteers surveying outdoors must be able to stand and walk 1–2 miles and/or be active for up to 3 hours

What to Expect / What’s Provided

Volunteers will receive a Surveyor Supply Kit, which includes:

Clipboard

Pens and paper surveys

Volunteer identification

Homeless resource information cards

Flashlight

Safety vest

Volunteers are strongly encouraged to bring a fully charged cellphone.

Volunteer Teams

You do not need to have a team to sign up

If you already have a group of 3–4 people you would like to work with, please list their names in the sign-up notes so teams can be assigned accordingly

Orientation

An online volunteer orientation will be required prior to the PIT Count.
Dates and times will be announced and shared with registered volunteers once finalized.

Location

All volunteers will meet at:
31 E. Clay Ave. – United Way (United Way of the Lakeshore)

Date & Time

Volunteers may choose from one of the following staggered start times:

Wednesday, January 28 | 9:00 PM

Wednesday, January 28 | 11:45 PM

Thursday, January 29 | 4:30 AM

Questions? Please Contact Madison Butler at madison@unitedwaylakeshore.org or by phone at (231) 332-4012.

In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, United Way of the Lakeshore’s 2026 MLK Day of Service includes participation in the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count. Volunteers will help collect vital information while engaging community members with respect and dignity to support informed planning and meaningful change.