Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to help the entire family learn, grow, share, and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Through family service, children can learn to recognize how they can be an active community member who strives to always do their best.

As an added bonus, volunteering is a great way to strengthen bonds, while simultaneously creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Where Can You And Your Family Volunteer? The beauty of volunteering as a family is that you will be able to explore areas of your community that you might not have visited before. It will also give you the chance to try new and exciting tasks. From feeding the homeless at a soup kitchen to learning about national and state parks, the following list will help you to identify the right volunteering opportunities for your family.

1. Feed The Homeless At A Soup Kitchen -- All across the United States there are soup kitchens that feed meals to the area's homeless population. These organizations feed hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country on a daily basis. In fact, many homeless people rely on soup kitchens, also known as food kitchens, for their daily intake of food. Volunteering as a family at a soup kitchen can be a very rewarding experience that teaches the importance of giving back to those in need by showing that a good meal can bring everyone together.

2. Volunteer At The Animal Humane Society -- The Animal Humane Society is a wonderful organization that looks out for animals in need. While volunteering at the animal shelter will require participants to be at least 16 years of age, there are ways for younger children to become involved. Helping animals get back on their feet can be an amazing experience that teaches both adults and children the importance of compassion and empathy for others.

3. Volunteer At The American Red Cross -- Did you know that 90 percent of the humanitarian work completed by the American Red Cross is carried out by volunteers? Whether you and your family are able to help in the aftermath of a natural disaster or choose to provide comfort to a veteran, there are countless ways that you can help your local community by volunteering at the American Red Cross.

4. Be A Friend To An Abandoned Pet In Need -- 

The ASPCA is another pet-focused organization that consistently needs volunteers like you and your family. Through rescue, rehabilitation, government relations, pet adoptions, and numerous other volunteer opportunities, the ASPCA strives to make a difference to animals in need.

5. Give Back To Your Country By Volunteering At Veterans Affairs -- Veterans Affairs (VA) is a government run organization that focuses on helping veterans throughout the United States. Each year, over 140,000 volunteers proudly donate over 11 million hours of their time to help American veterans. From helping to organize Veteran's Day parades to providing care to former service members, the VA is proud to offer volunteer opportunities for the entire family.

6. Volunteer In Your Day-To- Day Activities -- If you and your family want to start volunteering, but don't know what organization to choose, you can always be on the lookout for events where the "proceeds are donated to charitable causes." These events might be running a 5k race around the holidays, donating non-perishable goods to a local food bank, giving away your gently used clothing that you no longer wear to Goodwill (or a similar organization), attending a charity concert, or hosting a lemonade stand where the money raised will be donated to a local charity or family in need.

7. Give Nature A Hand -- Did you know that you and your family can volunteer at local and national parks thanks to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)? The BLM has numerous volunteering opportunities throughout the United States that are a perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors, while simultaneously giving back to the land. Volunteering is a wonderful activity that can help your family come together, bond, create new memories, and have a positive impact. By giving back you and your family can participate in new activities that are fulfilling and help your local community.