We’d love to have you as a part of the ECHOS community. Check out the various ways to get involved below and help us create a stable, thriving community.
Volunteer
Hygiene Support Volunteer
Looking for 2-3 volunteers on Fridays from 9:00am-12:00pm to assist with managing showers and laundry services here at ECHOS. Volunteers would be a presence in the shelter to allow clients to utilize our shower facilities. Volunteers would also assist in loading washers/dryers with the client’s laundry, organizing supplies and maintaining cleanliness of the bathrooms.
Spanish Translators
We are looking for volunteers on an as-needed basis to help as Spanish translators for some of our clients
Elizabethtown Emergency Shelter
(December – April)
Volunteer at shelter:
- Evening Greeter – help check guests in, serve dinner and get guests settled for night
- Overnight – spend the night at the shelter, alternating sleep and monitoring with another volunteer
- Morning Clean-Up – help prepare breakfast and get guests ready for the day
To volunteer at the shelter, volunteers must submit a criminal background check and child abuse clearances.
Call 717-361-0740 or email volunteer@echoslancaster.org for more information.
Donate
Kits to Assemble
Great opportunity for a kids’ club or family
To Go Bags: bottle of water, protein (nuts, shelf stable cheese, tuna packet, beef jerky), fruit cup with spoon, 2-3 packages snacks (PB crackers, granola bar, pretzels), and napkin.
Blessing bags: bag of treats with a gift certificate for gas or groceries
Emergency Shelter Supplies
It takes a lot of supplies to run the emergency shelter, for a complete wish list: 2024 Emergency Shelter Wish List
We have an Amazon wish list here.
Meals
Friday Lunches
As a new service, we are now offering lunch on Fridays to clients who utilize the shower and laundry services offered. This could be a bag lunch of sandwiches, a piece of fruit, and a drink. Something that is easy to grab, ready to eat, but fresh and filling for our guests. Email volunteer@echoslancaster.org to sign up and for more information.
Hot & Ready Meal
Hot & Ready Meals are needed during the Elizabethtown Emergency Shelter season from early December through late March.
Sign-ups to bring a Hot & Ready Meals for a shelter night will open again in November. Email volunteer@echoslancaster.org to sign up and for more information.
“ECHOS is a much needed and valuable resource for our community. They provide not only assistance with homelessness or risk of being homeless, but also clothing, furniture, and transitional placement. With ECHOS leading the way, we can provide for our community members and families in need.”
Joyce Hardman, Director Elizabethtown Area Senior Center