Good Cheer Appeals for Volunteers as Holiday Demand Rises

Good Cheer, the south Island nonprofit that operates a food bank and assistance programs, is launching an expanded volunteer recruitment effort to meet increased local demand during the holiday season. The organization is asking Island County residents to step forward for a range of roles, from drivers and food sorters to volunteers who can help with holiday distributions and shifts at the thrift store.

The call for help reflects predictable seasonal pressure on local nonprofits and the importance of volunteer labor to sustain services. Good Cheer relies on community members to move food, prepare distributions and staff retail operations that both serve clients and generate revenue for programs. With Thanksgiving and December holiday needs approaching, the organization is aiming to boost its volunteer capacity so scheduled distributions and store hours remain uninterrupted.

Available roles include drivers to transport food and supplies between sites and to deliveries, volunteers to sort and pack donated food, staff for holiday distribution events, and people to cover shifts at Good Cheer Thrift. These positions vary in time commitment and skill level, which organizers say makes it possible for a broad cross section of the community to contribute. Donations of goods and funds will also be directed to support program operations and food distribution efforts.

Residents who wish to help are directed to sign up through Good Cheer’s official channels. Additional information, including volunteer schedules, training expectations and donation guidelines, is available through the South Whidbey Record listing and on Good Cheer’s website. Those interested in immediate volunteer opportunities are encouraged to contact the organization directly through those resources so that shifts can be scheduled and tasks assigned in time for the busy season.

The local impact of this campaign is practical and immediate. Increased volunteer participation directly influences the volume of food distributions the nonprofit can organize, the number of households that can be served during holiday distributions, and the hours the thrift store can remain open to support program funding. For residents who face food insecurity, reliable volunteer staffing translates to predictable access to essentials during a period when household budgets are often stretched.

Beyond immediate service delivery, the recruitment drive is also a civic engagement moment. Island County residents who volunteer help maintain a community safety net, preserve the continuity of local charitable infrastructure and support an institutional capacity that other social services rely on. As the holidays near, Good Cheer’s request is a reminder that local nonprofits depend on both donations and hands on involvement to meet increased community needs.