Here are a few suggestions of what would be considered individual volunteer hours. Your hours DO NOT have to be chosen from the following list, these are merely suggestions. If you have any questions regarding if something can be used as volunteer hours or have any ideas of your own to add to the page, please contact either Julie Barnes or Madeline Gautreaux here.

Check the Calendar Page for additional Volunteer Opportunities!

Acadiana Therapeutic Riding Organization (ATRO)
ATRO is a non-profit organization that teaches horseback riding to individuals with disabilities in the Acadiana area. Classes are held in 8 week sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Wednesday mornings (you pick to volunteer for one of the three times). This program requires a little more commitment than the other volunteer suggestions because, not only do the volunteers have to complete a short training course, but volunteers are asked to commit to come as often as possible (ideally to come every week). I strongly encourage anyone who is remotely interested to ask for more information. Horse experience is not necessary!

Local Food Banks
Volunteering at local food banks or soup kitchens is always a great ways to get involved in the community. Here is a list of a few located in the Acadiana area along with phone numbers. Get a group of your friends together and give them a call! This can count as individual volunteer hours. Don’t forget to get the contact information of someone who works at the food bank and to record your hours online!!!

Foodnet - The Greater Acadiana Food Bank
337-232-3663
217 Surrey St., Lafayette, LA 70501

Icons Food Bank (about 20 minutes away)
337-594-8845
1411 N. Market St., Opelousas, LA 70570

St. Michael Soup Kitchen (about 20 minutes away)
337-783-7374
117 West 7th St., Crowley, LA 70526

Eunice Food Bank (about 30 minutes away)
337-457-7541
1120 Fairground St., Eunice, LA 70535

Shepards Food Pantry (about 20 minutes away)
337-367-2468
New Iberia, LA 70560

St. Joseph Diner
337-235-4972
613 W. Simcoe, Lafayette, LA 70501

Church Groups
Most church’s have youth groups that do community service periodically. Participation in these types of projects can count towards your individual volunteer hours. Don’t forget to get the contact information of one of the ministers and to record your hours online!!!

Local Clinics

The Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic is a non-profit organization that provides quality outpatient health care for the eligible working uninsured and develops and provides programs to address community health care needs through collaborative partnerships. Students are able to screen patients and get involved with the local healthcare community.

How to volunteer at LCHCC!

337-593-9208

1317 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501

SGA Sponsored Activities
Throughout the semester, SGA will sponsor different community/campus service projects. These events can most definitely be used for your individual volunteer hours. Don’t forget to get the contact information of someone on SGA who is a part of the event and to record your hours online!!!

Other Organizations Activities
We know that many of PPS’s members are also a part of other service organizations. If you participate in a service project sponsored by another organization (i.e. Dr. Sherry's Biology Mentoring) feel free to count it towards your individual volunteer hours for PPS. Just remember to get the contact information of one of the officers and to record your hours online!!!

Volunteering in Hospitals/Doctors Offices
Many people volunteer in hospitals or doctors’ offices in order to gain experience before applying to medical/professional school. These hours can also be used as individual volunteer hours. Just remember to get the contact information of the hospital/office and to record your hours online!!!

Other Ideas!!!
Let us know what you do to volunteer and we can post the ideas for other members to use too!!!