The Idaho Falls Area Humanitarian Center is opening its doors this summer to volunteers of all ages, offering hands-on opportunities to help community members facing hardship — while also building practical skills along the way.
The center connects willing workers with several departments, including yarn crafting, quilting, and general distribution operations. Each area channels volunteer labor directly into products and supplies that eventually reach people in need throughout the region, including individuals experiencing homelessness or struggling with substance abuse.
Newborn Kits, Quilts, and More
One of the more popular volunteer activities involves the center’s yarn department, where participants — including teenagers — craft small clothing items from donated afghans for inclusion in newborn kits. Nancy Dasha, who coordinates the yarn department, described the work as rewarding for volunteers of all experience levels.
“We have them making little outfits for the newborn kits and they’re so fun,” Dasha said.
The quilting department also welcomes volunteers, regardless of prior sewing experience. Rhea Jones, assistant supervisor of the quilting department, emphasized that no background is necessary to participate — staff are ready to walk newcomers through every step of the process.
“If people want to just come in and have a few hours to spare, they’re welcome to come in and we’re happy to teach them what to do,” Jones said.
Beyond crafting departments, the center’s distribution operation relies on volunteer support to sort and move supplies to those who need them. The combination of departments means there are entry points for virtually anyone interested in giving time, whether for a single afternoon or on a recurring basis.
Donations Also Needed Alongside Volunteer Hours
In addition to seeking volunteer labor, the humanitarian center is currently accepting donations of specific household essentials. Items most needed include diapers, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies — goods that are difficult for families in crisis to consistently afford but are essential to daily living.
The center’s approach links donated materials with donated time, allowing goods that come through the door to be transformed into finished products or distributed directly to families and individuals in need. Volunteers earn documented hours through their participation, making the program particularly attractive for teens seeking community service credit for school, scouting programs, or other youth organizations.
East Idaho has a long tradition of community-driven charitable work, and organizations like the humanitarian center play a quiet but consistent role in the region’s safety net. While larger headlines often focus on government programs or institutional aid, volunteer-driven nonprofits frequently fill gaps for people who need immediate, practical help — whether that means a clean set of clothes for a newborn, a quilt for someone without adequate shelter, or cleaning supplies for a household trying to stabilize after a period of hardship.
For Bonneville County residents looking for meaningful ways to spend time this summer, the center offers something relatively rare: a direct, tangible connection between the hours a person gives and the benefit received by a neighbor in need. Unlike fundraising events or awareness campaigns, the work done inside the center’s quilting and yarn departments produces real, physical goods that are handed directly to people facing difficult circumstances.
Those interested in East Idaho’s broader community activities this season can also check out coverage of Pocatello’s Poky Paddle returning for its seventh year on the Portneuf River, another example of community engagement taking root across the region.
What Comes Next
The Idaho Falls Area Humanitarian Center is actively recruiting volunteers for the summer months. Residents interested in donating time or supplies can contact the center directly to learn about available shifts and current material needs. The center asks that prospective volunteers reach out in advance to coordinate scheduling across its various departments. With demand for community assistance remaining steady, organizers say every hour of volunteer time — and every donated box of diapers or detergent — makes a measurable difference for families in Bonneville County.