Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.
- Erma Bombeck

Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council values the resources provided through hours and items donated to our various programs. Many of our Service Centers depend on the food, clothing, furniture, and other goods donated for the customers. Volunteer hours are crucial to operate the programs within our County Service Centers as well as our Head Start/Early Head Start Centers. 

There are various opportunities for volunteers within our Agency, some of which are listed below, so please feel free to contact your nearest County Service Center and/or Head Start/Early Head Start Center!

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TEFAP Program

Volunteers are one of the most vital assets to our TEFAP Commodity Food Program. We rely on our volunteers to help move the food from the warehouse to our County Service Centers and at time of distribution of the food, to help pack the food boxes for the distribution to our customers. Without our volunteers devoting their time and services to assist us, the TEFAP Commodity Food Program would not be able to exist.

If you have an interest in volunteering, please contact your local County Service Center.

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Head Start/Early Head Start Program

We welcome you to volunteer at our Head Start/Early Head Start Centers as much as you are available. We hope you are as excited about your experiences in the classrooms as we are to have you come and be a part of our family. We want your time in the centers to be both educational and enjoyable. A critical factor in a child’s educational success is parent involvement. We encourage you to join us in making your family’s time in Head Start/Early Head Start the best it can possibly be.

If you have an interest in volunteering at your local Head Start/Early Head Start facility, please contact your local center.

^{Any individual who provides volunteer service at a Head Start/Early Head Start facility for more than 20 hours per calendar week may be required to have a satisfactory criminal records check and meet the same new hire requirements as staff.}