- North Shore Family Adventures
- Posts
- Guide to local volunteering
Guide to local volunteering
Inside: Bernie's Book Bank, Feeding America, Eastside Senior Services, Kinship + more
This season offers dozens of ways for families to give back, but opportunities fill up fast. Numerous programs welcome younger children when accompanied by parents, making November an ideal time to start a family tradition of service. Read on for our guide to pitch in, volunteer and give back. See the full guide on our website.
Know the North Shore: Bernie’s Book Bank
Bernie’s Book Bank of Greater Milwaukee is about to open the doors of its new Glendale facility—a 30,000-square-foot space that will welcome volunteers of all ages, process thousands of books each week, and fuel a mission rooted in literacy, equity, and community. In a Q+A, Executive Director Jenna Renno talks about bringing the organization’s next chapter to life in the North Shore.
Their annual fundraiser “Booksgiving” kicks off TODAY! It’s a Wizard of Oz themed, family-friendly event at the Ivy House. Come one, come all!
Choose the Right AI Tools
With thousands of AI tools available, how do you know which ones are worth your money? Subscribe to Mindstream and get our expert guide comparing 40+ popular AI tools. Discover which free options rival paid versions and when upgrading is essential. Stop overspending on tools you don't need and find the perfect AI stack for your workflow.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin stands out as exceptionally family-friendly, accepting volunteers as young as 10 years old (with adult supervision for those under 16). Families spend shifts packaging, labeling, and sorting food donations at their Milwaukee campus, with shifts available Monday through Thursday mornings and afternoons, plus select Saturday mornings. Families sign up through their online portal at feedingamericawi.org. Shifts are filling up fast but remain in the North Shore, including Shorewood’s Stuff the Bus at Metro Market.
Kinship
At Kinship Community Food Center in Riverwest, children under 10 can volunteer with a parent or guardian present at all times, youth ages 10-13 need a chaperone nearby, and teens 14-17 can volunteer independently. Located at 924 E. Clarke Street, food distribution happens Tuesdays 2:30-6:30pm and Saturdays 7:30-11am, while food sorting occurs Fridays 8:30-10:30am. Sign up to volunteer.
Senior Services
Eastside Senior Services (which includes a Shorewood location) coordinates flexible, ongoing opportunities for families. Volunteers of various ages help with rides to appointments, grocery shopping assistance, errands, companionship visits, minor home repairs, and distributing birthday and holiday cards. November specifically includes holiday card distribution and Thanksgiving calls to combat senior isolation on Milwaukee's Eastside, Shorewood, and Riverwest. The beauty of this program lies in its flexibility—volunteers decide their own frequency and commitment level. Visit essmilw.org to sign up for these free services that support adults 60+ regardless of income.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Shorewood Winter Market
Just announced: The Shorewood Farmers Market is making a return for winter at the Atrium, starting in early 2026.
Nicolet Rec Classes
The Nicolet Recreation Department offers 171 Winter/Spring programs and activities at 24 different locations across the community for toddlers, youth, teens, adults, and senior adults! This edition includes 30 new programs including Youth Nature Classes and Yoga Fitness Classes. Browse the bulletin online. Online registration for 2026 Winter/Spring programs begins Monday, Dec. 8th. You can also fax, mail, walk-in, or use our drop box to register beginning Dec. 22nd.
More Local News + Adventures
[Sponsored] Try AI-powered browser Comet with a FREE month of Perplexity Pro.
North Shore History: Kream City Kringle Company
The old Kream City Kringle Company sign was recently uncovered at 1926 E. Capitol Dr. in Shorewood, after the Lake Effect Surf Shop sign was removed, uncovering a slice of Shorewood’s pastry past. In the early '80s, this storefront housed Kream City Kringle Company, a local bakery known for its buttery, flaky kringles and community fund-raisers. Now, more than 40 years later, the sign, and a little of that local history is temporarily back in the sunlight. Source: Old Milwaukee 414
See you out there,
North Shore Family Adventures
P.S. Forward this guide to anyone still asking, “What should we do this November???”
Reply