Volunteer FAQs
FAR Volunteer Program
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to get a background check to participate in the FAR Program?
Yes
Do I need to pay for the background check?
The cost is ~$17, Sterling Volunteers allows you to choose between paying for the background check yourself (think of it as a donation to HNB) or having us cover it free of charge to you. Please let Noah know if that is a barrier or you have any issues with that.
I already volunteer regularly with Homes Not Borders and I am on the volunteer list; do I need to fill out the volunteer form again?
Yes, as Food Assistance Volunteers are going to be under a new category of volunteer, please go to HomesNotBorders.org/volunteer and fill out the volunteer form at the bottom of the page, use the same email that you get these emails from, and select that you are coming as an individual. Then select that you are signing up as a Food Assistance Volunteer. That will update you in our system and Noah will process your background check shortly.
I volunteer with my kids; do they need background checks?
Kids are welcome to volunteer and as long as they are under the age of 18 at the time of volunteering no, they do not need a background check. However, they must come accompanied by an adult/guardian who has passed a background check who has their own form of transportation/car.
I work/have worked for the government/organization that has required a background check, can I submit that one?
Possibly, if it was within the last year, please send it to Noah Klose at Noah@HomesNotBorders.org and he will let you know if it qualifies. If the background check was longer than a year ago, we will need you to complete a new one.
I submitted my information and signed up to be a Food Assistance Volunteer this morning but have not received an email to initiate my background check, when can I expect it?
Noah submits batches of emails/profiles 2-3 times a week, so you should get an email within the next 2-3 days maximum, if it has been longer than a week since submission and you still have not received an email, please check your spam and then email Noah at Noah@HomesNotBorders.org
How will I know the background check is complete?
Noah will send you an email confirming that you have passed it and are now able to volunteer.
Do I need a car to volunteer?
Yes, you will be delivering food boxes to families throughout the DC area and will need your own form of transportation that can transport the boxes and yourself, if you are coming with family/friends who will be on the same team, then you will only need one car between the two of you.
When will Food Assistance Volunteering Start?
We hope to have our first Saturday deliveries with volunteers start on December 13th, with a regular schedule on Saturdays (minus Holiday Weekends).
Home Set-Ups
What will I do?
Come ready to carry furniture, wash dishes, hang pictures and decorate a home. Be sure to wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes that you
can work in. You will work hard and have fun! One team will start at the warehouse and load furniture and then join the second team at the apartment to help set it up.
How much do I need to lift?
We will need some people to carry furniture but we also need people to set up and decorate. It’s your choice!
Will I get to meet refugees?
For most of the set ups, the families we are helping have not moved in yet. So they are typically not there, and here is no interaction with them. Most all the places where we do set up, include many newly resettled refugees, and they do often stop by to check things out.
Okay to bring my kids?
Yes, kids of all ages are welcome. Little kids are great at setting up toys or drying dishes. But please just let us know so we can plan accordingly for space
and volunteer limitations.
COVID Protocol?
Homes Not Borders follows the local guidelines of the areas where we do set ups and drop offs. Throughout the DC area, masks are currently optional.
What do I need to bring?
Bring water and a lunch. Depending on the weather, you may want to bring hat, sunscreen, and/or raincoat. And if you are handy, feel free to bring your own tool kit. There is always something to assemble and pictures to hang!
Setting up apartments is an incredibly fun experience and a lot of hard work and each one is a unique experience. We ask that you bring a flexible fun attitude.
Furniture Drop-Offs for Families
What will I do?
You will help load furniture into our truck at the warehouse then drive to accompany HNB staff as they deliver those items to two households in the area. There may be some light setting up involved but it will not be the focus. Be sure to wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and shoes that you can work in. Come ready to work hard, have fun, and be flexible!
Where will I go and when?
We will start at our storage facility in LANDOVER at 9 AM and aim to leave by 10 AM. We will aim to complete the last drop-off by 2:30 PM.
How much do I need to lift?
For drop offs, we have a much smaller crew and the bulk of the work is moving furniture out of storage and into an apartment/house. So we do ask all that are doing drop offs are able to partner-lift furniture.
Will I get to meet refugees?
Yes! When we do drop offs, the family must be there to receive the furniture and let us in. Though it is not expected, often the families will invite the volunteers in for tea or a snack.
Okay to bring my kids?
If they are older kids/teens and able to lift furniture, they are more than welcome. But for drop offs, we suggest leaving the smaller kids at home as there often isn’t much for them to do, and limited space if the family is around.
COVID Protocol:
Homes Not Borders follows the local guidelines of the areas where we do set ups and drop offs. Throughout the DC area, masks are currently optional. But bring a mask just in case the family might request it in their home.
What do I need to bring?
Bring water and a lunch. Depending on the weather, you may want to bring hat, sunscreen, and/or raincoat.
Doing furniture drop offs is an incredibly fun experience and a lot of hard work and each one is a unique experience. We ask that you bring a flexible fun attitude.
Homes Not Borders
3610 East St.
Landover, MD 20785
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