Make a Difference

The American Red Cross blood supply is at historically low levels and it continues to decline. If more donors don’t come out to give, hospitals may be forced to delay care to patients relying on blood transfusion. Those who come to give in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles and will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information. To make an appointment or for more information, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit redcrossblood.org , call 800-733-2767 or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 23, St. Scholastica, Somer's Hall, 1200 Kenwood Ave., Duluth.
• Noon-6 p.m. Feb. 24, St. Raphael's Catholic Church, 5779 Seville Road, Duluth.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 22, UMD Kirby Student Center, 1120 Kirby Ave., Duluth.

Community Action Duluth’s free tax site is open and offers virtual and in-person options with assistance from tax site staff and volunteers as well as an option to file for free on your own. Volunteers are IRS-certified to support community members in preparing and filing their taxes. Because of generous support from IRS VITA, the Minnesota Department of Revenue, Northland Foundation, Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation and other supporters, this program is completely free to individuals and families with annual income of up to $58,000. In-person clinics are currently planned for 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9-11 a.m. Saturdays. Go to communityactionduluth.org/free-tax-site , email tax@communityactionduluth.org or call 218-726-1665.

AARP Foundation Tax Aide offers free tax preparation for families and individuals of all ages and backgrounds in Itasca County through April 15. By appointment only. Call 218-245-9202.

AEOA's Meals on Wheels program is in need of volunteer drivers. Call Kirsten at 218-409-5991.

The United Way is looking for volunteers including Red Cross Blood Drive volunteers and Mentor North volunteers. Go to volunteerduluth.galaxydigital.com for a complete list ad details.

Memorial Blood Centers is calling all eligible blood and platelet donors to step up and help save lives. The need for blood is constant, but the supply isn’t. Donors with Memorial Blood Centers help supply nearly 40 local hospitals and more than a dozen air ambulance bases. MBC is dangerously low on all blood types at this time. Help hospital patients in need by scheduling an appointment at mbc.org or by calling 888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).

Make-A-Wish Minnesota is seeking volunteers in Carlton County to help grant life-changing wishes for local children battling critical illnesses. To learn more, go to mn.wish.org/volunteer .

AEOA Virginia gun raffle fundraiser is selling tickets for the drawing Feb. 26. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets $20; cash only. Tickets can be purchased at AEOA Virginia, 702 Third Ave. S., Virginia, during normal business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday). Call Jessica at 218-748-7301.

Second Harvest Food Shelf is seeking volunteers to help in the food shelf. Shifts are 8-11 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. A firm commitment to the chosen shift is very important. Email Sandy at sandy@secondharvestncfb.com .

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank needs 10-12 volunteers who can pick up food from local convenience stores, retailers, restaurants/caterers and deliver it to local food shelves, on-site meal programs or their food bank. Call Andrew Haukebo at 218-336-2303.

AEOA's Central Kitchen in Duluth needs volunteers to help in the kitchen, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call Kirsten at 218-409-5991 if interested.

Duluth Art Institute seeks docent volunteers for the weekends. Docents supervise the galleries to ensure visitors and the artwork are safe. Call Liz at 218-723-1310 or email engagement@duluthartinstitute.org .

Ecumen Lakeshore, 4002 London Road, Duluth, is seeking drivers for its home-delivered meals program. Call Jana at 218-625-7822 or email janawarner@ecumen.org .

The Lighthouse Center for Vital Living needs volunteers who will read the newspaper once a month. Reading takes place at the Lighthouse in a recording booth that is COVID-19 safe. To learn more, email Michelle at michjunt@gmail.com .

Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice is seeking caring and compassionate people who have a listening heart and may have talents, skills, hobbies or interests to share. Essentia Health Duluth Hospice serves people at Solvay Hospice House, and within a 75-mile radius area including the communities of Silver Bay, Superior, Solon Springs, Sandstone and Saginaw. To volunteer, call Katie Neff Dawson 218-786-4020 or email hospiceduluthvs@essentiahealth.org . To volunteer in the Grand Rapids area, call Robbie Radaich at 218-327-8780. In the Virginia area, call Katie Bird at 218-749-7976.

Second Harvest Northern Food Bank seeks volunteers to help distribute BackPack Program food in Duluth schools. Volunteers pick up food from its facility and deliver it to a Duluth school twice each month (the first and third Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. pickup). Call Andrew Haukebo at 218-336-2303.