How can you help?

Hands-On Help
Item Donations
Financial Donations

Volunteer Help

Who is needed?

As of June 2022, DEAM needs volunteers to help as outside greeters, in the office and as pantry guides.

What are some things I might be expected to do?

  • Greeters will briefly interview clients to determine their needs and eligibility and assist as needed
  • Pantry volunteers will guide clients through our client choice pantry and assist as needed
  • Office volunteers answer the phone, assist clients with utility bills, update computer entries, and make referrals to other agencies. We currently need volunteers who have availability on Fridays.
  • (No need at this time) Our Wednesday volunteers stock the food pantry and prepare food and supplies for distribution to client. They also repackage dry products such as rice, bundle tea, sugar packets and laundry detergent into re-sealable plastic bags. This volunteer position also helps unload ACFB deliveries
  • (No need at this time) After - hours volunteers assist in purchasing food and supplies from local grocery stores

Will l be trained?

Volunteers are carefully trained on job procedures and are always paired with at least one other volunteer while on duty. 

How often will I be expected to help?

Volunteers are asked to work at least one morning a month.

Who can be a volunteer?

Volunteers come from several surrounding counties. You may fill out a volunteer application form below. A volunteer coordinator will contact you and provide many more details about the volunteer positions we currently have available. Must be at least 18 years old.

DEAM Volunteer Information Form

(All fields are required.)

To ensure appropriate boundaries, at least two years must elapse between the time a client receives DEAM services and the time she or he becomes an active volunteer. Therefore, if you volunteer, you cannot accept aid from DEAM.

Statement of Truth:
I certify that all of the information I have provided here is true and complete. I understand that any misrepresentation or omission of facts on this application may be cause for non-selection or later dismissal.

Please enter your name below with the understanding that it is considered your digital signature.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

Ongoing Items Needs

Donations of non-perishable food items that are especially needed on a continuing basis:

  • canned fruit 
  • pasta sauce
  • ramen noodles
  • dry beans
  • sugar packets**
  • powdered (or pods) laundry detergent**
  • corn muffin mix
  • kid friendly cereal
  • toiletries
  • feminine hygiene products
  • toilet paper
  • resealable bags

**Economy-sized boxes of these are most welcome.

How to Donate Items

Items can be donated between 8:00am and 11:00am on Wednesdays, since our staff will be re-stocking and unloading deliveries during that time frame.
‍
Covid-19 Update: We are accepting donations between 8:00am and 11:00am on Wednesday mornings only. Please leave the items outside the DEAM door, we will get them inside shortly.

April 2023 Most Needed Items:

  • canned lima beans
  • canned baked beans
  • canned  corn
  • canned greens - mixed, collard, turnip
  • pasta sauce
  • canned chili
  • canned beef stew
  • small packages of dry milk, cans of evaporated milk, or boxed milk
  • 1 lb packages of yellow rice
  • grape or strawberry jelly
  • canned fruit (pineapple, fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, peaches)
  • tuna fish packets
  • canned chicken
  • canned tuna fish
  • toilet paper
  • Adult diapers in size  M and XL for women
  • sizes newborn, 5 and 6, and sizes 4T-5T baby diapers
  • disposable razors
  • individual or small packets of wet wipes (for our unhoused clients)
  • toothpaste
  • shampoo
  • deodorant (women's especially)

Financial Donations

DEAM buys many canned fruits and vegetables from the Atlanta Community Food Bank at pennies on the dollar, so financial donations are always greatly appreciated to help fund these purchases and maximize the benefit of your donation dollars. 

Financial Donations are always much needed and greatly appreciated. In addition to helping stock the food pantry, DEAM relies completely on your contributions to fund financial aid for prescriptions, prevention of loss of water, gas and electricity services.

DEAM is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity so all contributions are tax deductible.

Three Ways to Give:

1. Click on the "Just Give" button to donate directly to DEAM.

We've made it easy for you to support DEAM's ministry and mission! Just click on the button to provide financial assistance on a secure website.

What a great way to honor or memorialize someone!

2. Write a check to DEAM and mail it to:
DEAM
Holy Trinity Parish 
515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA  30030

3. Designate DEAM as your charity choice when you shop at Kroger and Amazon.

Earn donations for DEAM shopping at Kroger.
Register at krogercommunityrewards.com .

In the account summary, add Decatur-Area-Emergency #0566 as your Community Rewards partner. This designation will need to be renewed annually to continue donations to DEAM.

Use your Kroger Plus card to earn dollars for DEAM whenever you shop. Shoppers still earn all their own points while also earning dollars for DEAM.

Earn donations for DEAM shopping at Amazon.

To designate DEAM for your contributions when making purchases on Amazon.com simply enter smile.amazon.com and logon to your account then specify Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry as the recipient of your donations. A small donation will then be automatically be sent to DEAM for every purchase you make on the website.


How DEAM Donations Fight Hunger and Homelessness

DEAM donations fund food and financial contributions directly to Decatur-area residents to prevent homelessness and hunger.