Chicagoans volunteer time to help small farms, animal shelters amid holiday season

CHICAGO (WLS) -- In recent weeks, the needs of our neighbors have been evident; at the same time, some may be facing their own financial challenges.

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During this season of giving, Chicagoans are considering ways to be generous without spending a dime.

Fresh produce loaded up on a recent weekend in Woodlawn at Market Box.

Each Saturday, food from small farms is bagged and delivered to people living in Chicago's South Side communities.

Hannah Amundsen started to volunteer as a student during the pandemic, she had a car and had time.

"I deliver the food vegetables proteins a lot of eggs and it feels really meaningful," Amundsen said.

"It doesn't feel like work it feels like community there is so much love in this group," Veronica Locher said.

Fiber Friends Studios is known to knitters and crotchet enthusiasts in Hyde Park.

The yarn store's owner regularly opens her space for community advocacy.

"Everyone wants to do something and we are all feeling a little helpless find little niche that we can help," Fiber Friends Studios Owner Tina Miklas said.

Crafters decorated ICE whistle kits at Fiber Friends Studios.

"I think it's cool to help out and know that you are part of changing stuff," Maria Bochnovic said.

In Rogers Park, the owners of Seven Star Venue recently donated their entire event space for The Chicago Hurricane Relief Coalition to help Jamaican families.

"We've always been taught if you can do something do it and that's what we are doing just to help," Seven Star Venue Operations Director Lenice Levy said.

Susan Stacey used to walk by Anti-Cruelty on breaks from work. Now retired and 30 years later - she is a regular volunteer bringing enrichment toys and treats for the pets waiting for their forever homes.

"I feel like I get more out of it than they do because it makes you feel good in a certain way," Stacey said.

Anti Cruelty has several opportunities to help: reading to the cats to reduce the stress of being in the shelter environment, or even walking a dog.

"We actually have a couple volunteers who work close by who will be like can I stop by on my lunch and walk a dog and that is completely a okay," Anti-Cruelty Volunteer Coordinator Jack Aguilar said.

To learn more about each organization, click here:

-marketboxchi.org/
-fiberfriendsstudios.com/
-anticruelty.org/volunteer