Looking for new opportunities to meet people in Los Angeles and give back? The Do Good Bus is an impactful and unique way to do both.
By: Heather Newgen
The Do Good Bus provides meaningful volunteer projects around LA while creating a lively, fun setting for volunteers to work and become part of a community with like-minded people wanting to make a small difference in their city.
How it works:
–You sign up on their website for a ride—they only have one a month. However, you can reserve the Do Good Bus for private parties and corporate events.
–Show up at the spot they tell you to meet up at. In my case it was the Universal Metro Red Line where parking was available for a small fee.
–Meet other cool people and volunteer with the Do Good Bus.
That’s it!
The price for a community ride is $45, and that includes lunch.
There is an interesting spin however. You don’t know what the volunteer project will be since it’s intentionally kept a mystery so there’s an element of surprise. But, it also puts everyone on the same boat, or in this case bus. Nobody knows where they’re going or what they will be doing so everyone is in it together. In addition, there’s no preconceived ideas or opinions about the organization. Volunteers have an open mind and are ready to work.
On the ride to the undisclosed location, the host will have everyone play games on the Do Good Bus and interact with each other, so by the time you arrive to the place you’re going to volunteer, everyone is comfortable, relaxed and has let their guard down.
Volunteers playing Pictionary on the Do Good Bus
Moments before you arrive, you’re told where you’re going to volunteer, how the organization was chosen and why they need volunteers.
Once you’re on site, you will volunteer for two to three hours and then have lunch.
**Since I have so many dietary restrictions I brought my own meal and it wasn’t an issue. The price of the ticket is still the same.
The organization we volunteered with was called MEND Poverty, which stands for Meet Each Dignity with Need. Volunteers did a variety of projects such as sort through clothing donations, put together boxes of food to give to those in need and work in the garden.
Heather Newgen working in the garden at MEND
MEND Poverty offers food, clothing, dental, medical, educational services for those who qualify for the programs. It’s a wonderful nonprofit that helps countless people, but really relies on volunteers.
I loved learning about a local cause I wasn’t previously aware of and spending an afternoon giving back in my community.
The Do Good Bus was well organized, volunteers made a difference, and it was a fun way to give back while meeting other great people.
To see what it’s like to volunteer with the Do Good Bus, click here to watch my experience.