Related articles:

Nonprofits need your help to help the needy

Other articles by Aaron Mackey:

Students from Iraq set for UA program Med school dean takes new post in UA reshuffle Mars lander's latest soil dig may verify presence of water UA worries fund cut is here to stay Asparagus on Mars? Soil may be suited to itMartian soil could support plant life, scientists say UA to improve teacher programs Brand-new majors coming to University of Arizona $800M OK'd for campus construction Mars team gets peek at dark, glassy bits in soil

Production and Manufacturing
Pioneer Landscaping
Crushing Crew Engineering
Knight Piesold & Co
Engineer Driver/Transportation
CPC Southwest Materials
Drivers General
Grocery/Market Mgr-Cafe/Restaurant Mgr General
The Graham Group
Assistant to the Building Manager Trades/Construction
arizona portland cement
maintenance electrician General
ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE
DISPATCHER/SECRETARY

While there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and donate food and money this time of year, area agencies say the need exists all year long.

The Green Valley Food Bank has a slew of drop-off points in Green Valley and Sahuarita, and the Volunteer Center of Tucson offers people the chance to organize their own holiday events at Cope Behavioral Services sites, including on Tucson's East Side.

But relief workers say the real season of giving runs 365 days a year.

"We always need food," said Lisa Kemper, manager of the Green Valley Food Bank.

The food bank provides for hundreds of Sahuarita and Green Valley residents each month, meaning that a constant supply of food donations is needed to keep up with community demand, Kemper said.

Kemper and the executive director of another area help organization said it's not the annual large donations of time, money and food that help the most.

Instead, continual small donations and volunteer work throughout the year go a long way to helping.

"I would encourage folks to give the power of an hour," said Chris Kang, executive director of Green Valley Assistance Services, which provides volunteer help to people in need of assistance.

If every person gave one hour of volunteer service per year, the community would see a huge benefit, Kang said.

The agency receives requests for help from residents who might not be able to go shopping or visit the doctor on their own because they are elderly or don't have transportation.

Volunteers with similar interests are matched with the people who need help, Kang said. While the organization assists people in need, it doesn't provide in-home care.

If everyone gave a small amount of time to charity, there wouldn't be a huge need for volunteers.

"It would be a continuous cycle of help," Kang said.

The agency also provides monetary assistance to people who have recently lost their jobs or who may have their utilities turned off.

Kemper said any amount of time, food or money given will help someone.

"Don't be afraid that your gift would be too small, because everything helps," she said. "One dollar feeds five meals."

Mary Lucas, volunteer support coordinator with the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona, said making a difference in someone's life by giving your time or money "lets them know that they're still people and that we still care about them."

Lucas, who coordinates volunteers who plan holiday parties for COPE Behavioral Services, said people would be amazed at how big an impact they can make with a small gesture.

Letting someone else know that you care about them "makes them feel like a part of the community," Lucas said.