Volunteer

Future Economy Collective is a local non-profit organization offering alternative forms of collaboration; collective growth, education, and liberation; skill-sharing; and mutual aid. They run the Southpaw Cafe which is a community-based, volunteer-run cafe and community space. All proceeds from the cafe are invested directly back into the community through mutual aid programs, community projects, and more.

Future Economy Collective’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/futureeconomycollective/

Southpaw Cafe and Community Space’s Website: https://southpaw-cafe-and-community-space.myshopify.com

This week we highlighted many different ways you can volunteer around Blacksburg – activities that help the earth as well as activities that help each other. Many of us are doing as much as we can in our own homes to promote sustainability and help preserve the environment, but when we volunteer we are able to reach many more people and accomplish things we could never do on our own. So please volunteer when you can and magnify your efforts by working with others.

Volunteering in Action

We want to thank everyone out there who volunteered their time and resources this week (including the activities going on today and tomorrow)! Let’s keep up the volunteering!

THIS WEEK…

Invasive species were removed from Stadium Woods and the Stroubles Creek Watershed

Roadsides, parks, streams, school grounds, and other public properties are being cleaned

Trees were planted

Food was donated

We reduced our waste and reused more

Over $2000 was raised for our Small Grants Program (a big thank you to Theta Chi for their ambitious fundraising efforts in our honor)

Wisdom was shared

And so much more!

Removing Invasive Species from Stadium Woods & Stroubles Creek

This past Tuesday was all about removing invasive species. Volunteers joined the New River Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist to remove invasive species from Stadium Woods and they joined Dr. Jeff Kirwan to explore and remove invasive species from the watershed of Stroubles Creek. These are not one-time events though. Volunteers meet often to remove invasive species from Stadium Woods. Learn how to get involved here.

Learn More About Volunteering with YToss

Ytoss, a project of the YMCA at Virginia Tech, has to be one of the best sustainability ideas ever! Each year, the program collects gently-used unwanted items from the VT dorms during the student move-out days. The items are then made available to incoming students during the fall move-in sale on VT’s campus. The program diverts TONS of items that otherwise could end up in the landfill but instead can be reused year after year after year. However, it takes a LOT of volunteer effort to make it happen and it’s difficult for students to participate due to exams and moving out. Join us for April’s Lunch and Learn program where you can learn more about volunteering with YToss as well as participating in the upcoming City Nature Challenge.

Food Pantry Needs

We often think of sustainability only as protecting the environment, but we can’t have a sustainable world if many of our citizens are going hungry. The United Nations recognized this when world leaders at the 2012 Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) reaffirmed the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food, consistent with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger. A number of organizations in our area are working to get food to hungry people and they need volunteers. Some of this food would otherwise go to waste, making these efforts even more important for sustainability. The YMCA at Virginia Tech’s Meals on Main program has ongoing openings for people to help distribute meals (sign up here).

The Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry, Micah’s Backpack and Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program are all working hard to help those in our community who are food insecure, so please consider volunteering.

Coming Up…

Week 5 starts tomorrow! Join us as we talk about Spending Time Outdoors and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to see daily updates.

We are in need of volunteers to assist with the work of the YMCA Thrift Shop.  Tasks will include sorting and setting up donated items in the shop. Training will be provided. The proceeds from our Thrift Shop help support the many community programs provided by the YMCA at Virginia Tech. We look forward to working with you. Contact Ron at ron@vtymca.org or by calling 540.552.2633 to learn how to volunteer!

Regional neighbor-to-neighbor skill sharing and assistance. Supports social equity and vulnerable populations, in partnership with local nonprofits. Monthly orientation meetings will help you to learn more and get involved!

Contact: Ellen Stewart estewart@blacksburg.gov

Or signup online at New River Valley TimeBank.

There are regular opportunities to volunteer with Blacksburg Farmers Market, either for regular
market days (Wednesday and Saturdays) or special events (Mingle at the Market, etc.). Or join one of the Farmers Market Planning & Action Groups!

Learn more

Visit their website: https://blacksburgfarmersmarket.com/get-involved

Check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacksburgfarmersmarket/

Contact them by email: bbfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Volunteers repair/tune-up donated bikes to extend transportation options for economically and/or socially challenged individuals.

Contact: Beth Lohman ealohman@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRVBikeKitchen/

growing food and community

Along with providing space for community members to garden, we host gardening classes, potluck suppers and groups + individuals wanting to participate in growing food. Our aim is to provide a learning and service environment for anyone interested while promoting the growing of healthy food and dynamic community.

The Gardens

Learn More

Visit https://liveworkeatgrow.org/community-gardens/

Contact the Community Gardens Coordinator: blacksburgcommunitygardens@gmail.com

Read more about Blacksburg Community Garden by Jenny Schwanke

Help build Habitat homes throughout the NRV! Or help out at the Habitat Restore – where reclamation and resale of construction and household materials/supplies helps support Habitat programs through the year

Volunteer with Habitat: http://www.habitatnrv.org/

Email: volunteer@habitatnrv.org

CCL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy group seeking bipartisan climate solutions.
They are focused on direct, positive engagement with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.

Learn More

Visit their website:

Check them out on Facebook:

Contact them by email:

• Ingrid Mans ijmans55@gmail.com
• Alaina Coppa alainacoppa@gmail.com

Since 1983, individuals and groups have been invited to take part in this countywide cleaning effort. As in past years, participants will be picking up litter along area waterways, public parks/playgrounds, walking trails, roadways, and other public locations. Trash bags, gloves and safety vests will be provided. Filled trash bags will be picked up from each site that has been cleaned.

The 38^th annual Broomin’ and Bloomin’ spring clean-up event will be held on Sat., April 24 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., RAIN OR SHINE. Please consider lending a helping hand for this important and enduring community event. Whether you participate for one hour or five each bag of trash collected makes a real difference!

If you are interested in participating you can sign up online by visiting: www.montva.com/broominbloomin

If you have any questions please contact Bill Long, Sustainability Manager, by phone at (540) 394-2120 Ext. 54083 or by email at longwt@montgomerycountyva.gov.

Looking Out for Each Other: New River Valley connects community bounty with community need. To offer something you have that someone else could use or to look for a need of your own, visit their Facebook page or their website. Contact: LookingOutNRV@gmail.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LOFEONRV
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/lofeonrv/home?authuser=0

Sustainable living is important because it ensures future generations a habitable world they can enjoy. But what does it mean to live sustainably and what exactly are we trying to accomplish?

A sustainable lifestyle attempts to reduce our impact on the environment by altering our methods of transportation, energy consumption, and diet to reduce our emissions; reducing the amount of waste we produce and throw away to conserve resources; and taking other actions to enhance and protect our remaining natural areas to preserve wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

Every little change we make as individuals adds up to big changes for the world. And these big changes are going to impact how future generations live here.

That’s why we have created a list of 21 Actions for 2021. These include steps we can all take in our individual lives as well as throughout our community that put us on a path to sustainable living.

For 21 weeks, starting Sunday, March 28th, we will introduce a new action – with ideas and examples of ways to incorporate this action into our lives posted throughout the week. We’d love to have you join us on this journey so check our website and Facebook page often for actions and updates.

Related Posts

Twice annual event in the Spring and Fall. Held at the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Christiansburg with multiple repair stations run by volunteers with skills in:

• sewing/mending
• furniture repair
• small appliance/lamp repair
• hand tool repair and sharpening
• computer help
• indoor plant clinic

Contact: Ellen Stewart estewart@blacksburg.gov