Hospice Care offered through Gundersen Palmer Lutheran provides trained volunteers, as well as, counseling, 24 hour on call nursing, social services, chaplains, and personal care professionals to help provide care for a terminally ill person in their home during the last 6 months of the patient's life. Coordination of needed home health care services including: pharmacy, dietary, physical, respiratory, speech, and occupational therapies, and the needed home medical equipment. Inpatient hospice care available at several area nursing homes and hospitals.

The Howard County Food Pantry provides food for people in need. Food baskets provide fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food items. In addition, non-food items such as diapers, formula, hygiene products, and cleaning products may be available. The supply given is based on need and size of the family. Donations and volunteers are welcome.

Future Leaders Peer Mentoring program allows middle school students to benefit from positive peer mentoring relationships with older high school students. Interaction is facilitated by recreational activities and time for constructive conversation and emotional support.

Winneshiek Medical Center provides hospice services to people with terminal illness and their families to help maintain the best quality of life possible. Hospice care is provided wherever the person resides, whether it is in their own home, a long-term care facility or the hospital. Patients routinely receive in-home services from an interdisciplinary hospice team including a medical director, nurses, homemaker/health aides, social workers, spiritual advisors, pharmacists, and volunteers. Nursing home residents may receive hospice care as well. The team will work individually with dying person and family members to meet whatever needs arise. Hospice Care provides continued support before and after death (bereavement support for family members). A 21-hour training session is provided for volunteers/support staff (usually held once per year) to provide education on grieving and caregiving. Volunteers are utilized in the following areas: direct patient contact, fundraising, office work, publicity activities.

The Love and Friendship Adoption Center provides fostering and adoption services for dogs and cats. The Center also provides education on the humane treatment of animals through public events. The center welcomes volunteers and relies on donations to continue to provide services. Lower cost micro-chipping and registration services are also available at the center.

Gundersen Palmer Lutheran offers the following volunteer opportunities: inpatient volunteer opportunities include distributing reading materials, juice, and visiting with patients mid-morning and mid-afternoon; outpatient volunteers provide assistance for specialist clinics; and volunteer drivers transport tests/specimens from the laboratory to area clinics.

The Thrift Store and Food Shelf accepts donations of money, food, clothes, household items, and time.

The Winneshiek County Food Pantry provides food for people in need. Food baskets provide fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food items. In addition, non-food items such as diapers, formula, hygiene products, and cleaning products may be available. The supply given is based on need and size of the family. In-home deliveries can be arranged. Donations and volunteers are welcome.

Provides assistance to individuals and families affected by a natural disaster. Disaster services include sheltering, feeding, physical and mental health services. Physical and mental health services are also provided to those seeking refuge from a fire, hurricane or flood - or in the wake of a tornado, earthquake, or hazardous materials incident.

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM) is listed separately under the Iowa CISM Network Agency.

Veterans Memorial Hospital provides volunteer opportunities throughout the hospital including as receptionists greeting patients and families and with fundraising efforts.

Provides assistance to individuals and families affected by a natural disaster. Disaster services include sheltering, feeding, physical and mental health services. Physical and mental health services are also provided to those seeking refuge from a fire, hurricane or flood - or in the wake of a tornado, earthquake, or hazardous materials incident.

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM) is listed separately under the Iowa CISM Network Agency.

Carol's Closet can help veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities with household items including furniture and bedding, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs (including motorized), shower chairs, commodes and adult hygiene items. In addition, Carol's Closet can help families with newborn baby clothes to size 6 children's clothes, diapers, new cribs and car seats, baby essentials, and household items including dishes, furniture and bedding. Carol's Closet also has a handicap accessible van and standing lift for loan with a donation. Carol's Closet accepts donations of good and has opportunities for people to volunteer.

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) offers home delivered meals to homebound residents in northeast Iowa. Volunteers to help deliver meals are welcomed.

Northeast Iowa RSVP Program offers free volunteer placement in Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties. Volunteers may choose where they would like to volunteer and how much time they want to devote to volunteering. Possible volunteer opportunities include tutoring youth, leading activities, assisting with the food pantry, visiting nursing home residents, and performing office duties. Accommodations are made for seasonal volunteering.

Thunder Rode is a program that offers equestrian therapy service will work with therapeutic benefit. Individuals with a variety of special needs can be served through Sports Therapy Service. Iowa Thunder Empowerment provides mental well mainly for youth but will serve adults as well. Tri-States Thunder Vets is a service for veterans. There are volunteer opportunities including leading and side-walking with horses; no experience needed.

Regional Health Services of Howard County offers volunteer opportunities including assist patients, participate in the hospital auxiliary, and in other areas.

Provides opportunities for adults to volunteer with Girl Scout troops. Opportunities include troop leaders, assistant leaders, cookie managers, etc.

Serves the public as the DuPage County Volunteer Center with a focus on giving and volunteering. Searchable online database connects families, students, community groups and businesses with local volunteer opportunities and nonprofits.

Provides full-time and part-time opportunities to serve in organizations. Members perform a year of service with a program that meets local community needs. In return for a living allowance and education award.

Provides assistance to individuals and families affected by a natural disaster. Disaster services include sheltering, feeding, physical and mental health services. Physical and mental health services are also provided to those seeking refuge from a fire, hurricane or flood - or in the wake of a tornado, earthquake, or hazardous materials incident.

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM) is listed separately under the Iowa CISM Network Agency.

- The central contact point between Illinois State University and the community. - The Center facilitates connections between community agencies and ISU faculty for class based projects and also serves as a clearinghouse for local volunteer needs and potential volunteers. - The Center coordinates a number of one-time service projects throughout the year for ISU students to volunteer in Bloomington/Normal.

Opportunities to volunteer exist is our 4-H, Money Mentors, Master Gardner, and Master Naturalist Pro areas. Has ongoing need for community members, post-high school students, and local civic, cultural, or educational organizations to assist with homework, tutoring, or delivering programs for the Unity Community Center.

Plans for and responds to natural and man-made disasters. Issues emergency alerts. Website has a list of warming and cooling centers throughout the county.

Provides free in-person and virtual tax assistance with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 with low-to-moderate income.

The Country Store has clothing (baby, children's, school, maternity, adult, plus size, winter, formal wear, shoes), household goods, small kitchen appliances, bedding/linen, bed frames, office supplies, tools, and walkers/wheelchairs, etc. at moderate prices. Availability of items depends on what has been donated. The County Store accepts vouchers (for clothing and household goods) issued by local agencies. In times of community or personal disaster (fire, flood, tornado, chemical spill, etc.) in Howard County, may provide clothing and blankets free of charge. Donations accepted during store hours and volunteer opportunities available.