Call for nonprofits: SMPL to host Stronger Together Resource and Volunteer Fair

The San Marcos Public Library is calling for local nonprofits and service organizations to attend its Stronger Together Volunteer and Resource Fair set for Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the library.

The resource fair, which began five years ago, originally began as a volunteer fair but expanded into a networking opportunity for local nonprofits and service organizations.

“People call the library very often looking for how to get involved in the community,” said Deborah Carter, SMPL workforce librarian. “I was always figuring out what organizations needed volunteers and could accept volunteers.”

Carter recognized that many of the people who attended the original volunteer fair not only sought community service opportunities, but were receiving services as well.

“What I noticed was that we all live on both sides of that fence,” Carter said. “Sometimes, for example, we are receiving services from WIC, but we’re also spending our time volunteering at the Animal Shelter. So it’s not a one-way street whether you’re volunteering at an organization or getting services from another. It’s the community we live in, the give and take. That’s why, the next year it became the volunteer and resource fair.”

Coming from a social work background, Carter understands the importance of networking between local organizations as a means of helping each other determine what services are available within the community.

“Sometimes we’re working really hard and we may not even realize that another organization across town is providing a similar service or a complementary service, and we may not know about it,” Carter said. “This event allows the outreach folks to network and help the clients that they serve.”

An added benefit from the resource fair is the creation of an up-to-date resource guide detailing the services available within San Marcos. “The fair is a way for me to connect in person with folks to make sure that we have all the current information about what services they’re now providing, and who is their volunteer coordinator,” Carter said.  “Any information they want to share about their organization, we collect at the fair. It’s nice to see the kind of support that is available.”

Currently, the Stronger Together Resource and Volunteer Fair has around 30 organizations signed up to participate, including Community Action, the Hays County Food Bank, The Calaboose Museum, Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos and more. However, there is room for more.

“This one’s very exciting because it’s the first in-person since the pandemic,” Carter said. “It’s also the first one in the new, beautiful expanded library. There’s always smaller organizations that might have just gotten started that would be fun to learn about and network with.”

Organizations and nonprofits who are interested in the fair can register by emailing Deborah Carter at DCarter@sanmarcostx.gov or by calling the library at 512-393-8200. Registration is free. Tables, chairs and light refreshments for those working the fair will be provided. Set up begins at 9:30 a.m. Participating organizations should bring volunteer applications, brochures and pertinent information to the services they provide.

“Sometimes organizations want to bring something eye-catching, like a big trifold, a table cloth or game or candy but nothing is necessarily required,” Carter said. “Mr. Rogers said, ‘When there’s a crisis, we should look for the helpers.’ This is an event of helpers.”