The Neepawa Community Expo is back again after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic. This year it was held on April 9th at the Yellowhead Hall with 26 organizations in attendance. It is a one-stop community information expo where community members can meet service organizations/ clubs and recreational groups who are all needing volunteers.

Some service organizations were there including the Neepawa Salvation Army and the Home Assistance Neepawa & District. Two of the Salvation Army’s volunteers together with their Community and Family Service Coordinator were in the booth to explain what the organization is about and their volunteer opportunities.

One of Salvation Army’s volunteers, Dean Dietrich emphasized the value of becoming a volunteer and what it entails, “I’m a volunteer of the Salvation Army. I just got involved in the last year and Pat got involved in the Council as well. I found a very good value in being involved in an organization that helps the greater need of the community which is what Salvation Army does. And I do things from food pick up - the Salvation Army picks up extra food from Safeway and Coop that normally would end up in the landfill comes back to be used in our community. And as well as the donations that are given at the backdoor, I help sort and price as well. My retail background has provided me a little interest in doing that. I welcome anyone else get involved. Just a couple of hours a day. Pick your own hours is what I found. You don’t have to give it a whole days worth of work. Every little bit helps. Volunteers are necessary!”

Some service clubs were also present including the Neepawa Kin Club. They do a lot of service projects like helping with the Neepawa Area Collegiate Breakfast Club, Hug for Seniors, and May Kin Walk and they help raise funds for different causes. There were a great number of new organizations as well such as the Neepawa Coat Room, Neepawa Eats Healthy and a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

This Community Expo is a great venue to inform the public about the different organizations here in the community and the services they provide. Since most of these organizations are volunteer-run, it is also a great opportunity for them to recruit potential volunteers in the community which is very crucial for these organizations to continue its operation.