The best way to help others?

If you're in NOVA, a great resource is

ConnectnorthernVirginia.org

 

+1 on big brother

Food banks always need people too and you know where it's going directly

 

Boy Scouts have some science based merit badges. You could do a little research to find out what they are and probably teach them pretty easily over a few weeks to a local troop.

 

Thanks, this is great

 

I caught the irony.

 

I volunteer for a few organizations, and by far the most meaningful is Family Promise. It is church supported, non-denominational, but there is not any attempt to "bring the fallen back into the fold". It's purpose is to provide shelter and food to homeless families. It also works to find employment, train, educate, and restore these families to be productive members of society. It requires drug testing, background checks, and a commitment to saving 90% of their income. We provide transportation to work and to schools for children. This is no hand out type of charity.

 

I don't know what your scientific expertise is in IP, but this (ACDI/VOCA) is an organization I like and these are some things that they do that you just might have an overlap with. It is pretty biology/food centric.

https://volunteeropportunities-acdivoca.icims.com/jobs/search?ss=1&searchPositionType=26171

They're based in DC.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACDI/VOCA