Beat the January Slump: Volunteer Opportunities in Ammon & IF




Beat the January Slump: Volunteer Opportunities in Ammon & IF

The Christmas lights are down. The wrapping paper is recycled. The festive energy of December has faded into the gray, freezing reality of January in Southeast Idaho.

We often talk about the "January Slump" in terms of our own energy levels or moods, but local nonprofits feel a much more literal slump this month.

During the holidays, our community is incredibly generous. Volunteer slots fill up fast and donations pour in. But come January 2nd, that support often vanishes overnight. The reality is that hunger, homelessness, and needs within our community do not end when the calendar flips to the new year. In fact, the bitter cold of January often makes these needs more acute.

If you are looking for a meaningful "New Year’s Resolution" or just want to beat cabin fever by doing some good, now is the absolute best time to step up.

Here is how you can help beat the post-holiday slump in Ammon and Idaho Falls.

1. The Lunch Rush: Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen

The Need: Volunteers for the daily lunch shift.

The Soup Kitchen provides a hot meal every single day of the year to anyone who needs it, no questions asked. While December shifts fill up months in advance, January calendars often have glaring gaps.

This is a fantastic opportunity because the time commitment is manageable—usually just a few hours in the middle of the day to help prep, serve, and clean up. It’s eye-opening, humbling work that provides immediate warmth to our neighbors during the coldest month of the year.

2. Brave the Cold: Bonneville County Animal Shelter

The Need: Dog walkers willing to bundle up.

It’s easy to volunteer to walk dogs when it’s 70°F and sunny. It’s a lot harder when it’s 10°F and the wind is howling.

The Bonneville County Animal Shelter sees a significant drop in volunteers during the deep winter months. But the dogs still need exercise, fresh air, and socialization outside of their kennels. If you have warm boots and a good parka, these pups are desperate for your help. A twenty-minute walk makes their entire day.

3. The Post-Drive Sort: Community Food Basket (RCCM)

The Need: Sorting and organizing food donations.

December is famous for community food drives. The result is that by January, the Community Food Basket (run by the Regional Council for Christian Ministry) often has literal tons of donated canned goods that need to be sorted, checked for expiration dates, and organized onto shelves before they can go out to families.

This is great, warm, indoor work that is perfect for groups, families with older kids, or businesses looking for a team-building afternoon.

The "Clean Out" Guide: Donating Your Old Stuff

Did Santa bring you a new coat, new toys for the kids, or new kitchen gadgets? That means it’s time to clear out the old stuff.

The "New Year's Purge" is a great feeling, but please remember to donate responsibly. Local thrift stores rely on items that are clean, working, and in good condition to fund their missions.

Here are the best spots in town to drop off the items you replaced this Christmas:

  • Idaho Youth Ranch: Your donations here support incredible programs for at-risk youth in Idaho. They have convenient drop-off locations in both Ammon and Idaho Falls.

  • Deseret Industries (D.I.): The massive facility in Ammon can handle large volumes of donations, from clothing to furniture. It serves as a major hub for job training and resources in the area.

  • St. Vincent de Paul: Another excellent local option where your household goods go toward helping local families in crisis.

The Bottom Line

Generosity shouldn’t have a season. If you have a few extra hours this month, consider giving them to organizations that are quieter now than they were two weeks ago. Your help matters more now than ever.