Do you ever have that gnawing feeling that you could be doing something more to help someone in need? Do you sometimes feel you’d like to be part of building unity through service right here in our own community?

Most of us are familiar with a great old hymn and those sometimes nagging words: “Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed.”

The second verse reminds us: “There are chances for work all around just now — opportunities right in our way. Do not let them pass by saying sometime I’ll try, but go and do something today.”

Sometimes, of course, it’s just a matter of not knowing where to find opportunities for service.

If you’d like to have a choice of many different places and ways to serve, there’s a colorful, nondenominational, ongoing listing of needs that are available no matter where we live. Be sure to view two, one-minute introductory videos on a highly helpful and informational website: www: JustServe.org

All you need to do is put in your zip code, and you will see the many choices that suit your personality and your time availability.

This website is a world-wide initiative provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is not for proselytizing nor for publicity. It is simply a posting of opportunities for service that can help members of a community become more united. In today’s world that unity is obviously becoming ever more important.

The site gives details on each activity or event, sponsoring organization, its needs, people to contact, etc., and it’s important to note that JustServe.org does not discriminate based on age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation.

There’s a plethora of upcoming events and projects. Just in our area alone you’ll be able to get details on 21 current opportunities for service listed by the rotary clubs, Elks Lodge, Montessori School, various local churches and on and on. You’ll find that there’s really no excuse for not getting involved.

You can even post your own organization’s needs.

A few upcoming dates for service through JustServe.org:

n Oct. 15: Scouting for Food: This is the Boy Scouts’ annual drive for canned goods and other nonperishable items to help feed and care for the hungry. Early in the morning, just leave a plastic bag at your doorstep filled with items you can spare.

n Oct. 29: Homeless Stand Down: Volunteers are needed from 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. at Reed Gym on the Idaho State University campus. This event helps those in our community who are living on the streets. The intent is to provide sleeping bags and other necessities for the upcoming cold weather. We participated in this event last fall and found it to be real eye-opener. It felt good just to be a part of it.

A few of the many ongoing service opportunities listed on the site are:

n Pocatello Visitors Center

n Idaho Youth Ranch

n Salvation Army Food Pantry

n Hosting an Exchange Student

Sometimes only your attendance at a specific event is all that’s required. Others may involve a donation or a few hours of your time, as the JustServe.org website specifies.

You’ll be amazed at the many ways you can get involved and feel that special joy of serving and building unity in our community.

So pick a date, pick a project, and you’re on your way.

Pay per hour? It’s exceptional! Beginning hourly wage is $0. Overtime wage is also $0. Your rich and wonderful blessings come through those warm, fuzzy feelings that you’ve “done something good in the world today.”

Dean & Nancy Hoch are local public affairs representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. dean.nancy@gmail.com