On Saturday morning, after waking up late and peeling back the lid of a bowl of spicy beef soup instant noodles, I suddenly thought, how many neighbors do I actually know by name after living in this neighborhood for a while?

Counting on my fingers, I could only come up with the grocery store cashier and the name of the dog next door. It was a bit embarrassing.

So, for the past few months, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities every weekend. To cut to the chase, I think the shortcut for immigrants to make neighbors is definitely this.

Churches and Korean community groups are good, but you end up only meeting other Koreans there. Volunteer sites have people from all backgrounds working together at the same table.

At first, I was overwhelmed not knowing where to look. But there are actually quite a few entry points.

The first one I recommend is Columbus Gives Back. They connect with nonprofit organizations in Central Ohio to offer one-time volunteer opportunities.

Activities like meal preparation, park cleanups, and sorting donations are posted, and applications are taken through their Eventbrite page. You can go once, and if it fits, you can go again, or if not, there's no pressure to return.

The second is Mid-Ohio Food Collective. As a food bank, they always need extra hands, and they have multiple locations, making it easy to fit into your schedule.

The market on Gantz Road in Grove City had morning prep and afternoon support shifts from Tuesday to Saturday. The main tasks involve filling carts, restocking bags, and helping customers to their cars.

According to their guidelines, those 16 and older can volunteer alone, while those aged 11 to 15 need to be accompanied by an adult, and closed-toe shoes are required. You definitely don't want to be turned away for wearing flip-flops.

Shift times and conditions may change, so be sure to check mofc.org before you go. I once went based on an old schedule and ended up waiting awkwardly.

The third is Keep Columbus Beautiful, run by the city. This involves trash pickup and neighborhood beautification, and it's a great way to meet neighbors.

If you want to organize a neighborhood cleanup, you can submit an application at least two weeks in advance to receive supplies like gloves and bags. The city recommends registering 2-3 weeks ahead.

There's also a program called Adopt an Area, where a group takes responsibility for a specific section and cleans it at least three times a year. It could be fun to team up with a few neighbors from your apartment.

The fourth is English conversation volunteering. The experience we once struggled with in learning English can actually become a strength in this setting.

Jewish Family Services is looking for volunteers to converse with English learners and help them with resumes or applications. Attending an orientation is a requirement, and it's categorized under helping refugees and immigrants.

Is it okay if your English isn't perfect? I actually see that as an advantage. People with similar pronunciation challenges tend to bond more quickly.

Additionally, places like Ronald McDonald House or Neighborhood Services often have flexible schedules. The local library bulletin board is also a surprisingly good source of information.

Here's a tip for applying: If it's your first time at a place, arrive about 10 minutes early and let the person in charge know it's your first visit. They often pair you with someone experienced, which makes it much easier to navigate.

To summarize how to find opportunities: start with one-time events, and if you find a place you like, transition to regular shifts.

If you promise to go every week from the start, you'll get tired quickly. Eating ramen every day can get old, right? Well, at least for most people, though I never get tired of it.

If it feels awkward to go alone, just convince one friend to join you. Strangely, I find that I tend to talk more when I go alone.

The first person I worked with at the food bank was a retired neighbor. While filling bags, we started talking about kimchi, and the next week, he brought homemade pickles.

That day, I realized that becoming neighbors as immigrants isn't about grand gestures; it starts with spending time together in the same space, sharing the same sweat.

Keeping a record of your volunteer work can be surprisingly useful later. You can add a line to your resume or find someone to ask for a recommendation.

However, if you approach it too calculatingly, it shows. Just having the mindset of lending a few hours on a Saturday morning is enough.

The supplies are simple: comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and something delicious to eat afterward.

After volunteering, coming home and pouring hot water over instant noodles is just the best. The warm broth after working is truly a treat.

This weekend, take a look at Eventbrite. You might find an opportunity close by that you didn't expect.

I'm going to the food bank again this Saturday. And of course, I'll be having spicy beef soup instant noodles afterward.