We are proud to work with Doing Good Together – Twin Cities to bring you these Twin Cities volunteer opportunities every month.
Volunteering in the Twin Cities with your kids can be a great way to spend quality time together while instilling important values such as empathy and giving back to your local community. It can also help your children develop essential teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. Additionally, volunteering can provide opportunities for your family to learn about different cultures and lifestyles, and can help to broaden your children’s perspectives.
Check out these current and updated volunteer opportunities in the Twin Cities for April 2024:
Celebrate Good Deeds Day with Little Free Library
Little Free Library
Date/Time: Sunday, April 14.
Location: Anywhere where there are Little Free Libraries. Use our world map to find a location near you.
Ages: All ages. This is a great activity for family and friends to do together.
Time Commitment: Flexible. Share one book, or share many!
Everyone can do something good, large or small, to improve the lives of others. Celebrate Good Deeds Day by sharing a book and a kind note in a Little Free Library near you! You’ll join a global day of doing good that unites people from over 100 countries in doing good deeds. It’s easy to participate:
- Register online.
- Find a Little Free Library near you.
- Choose a book to put in the Little Free Library.
- Write a kind note to the future reader and put it inside the book.
- Leave the book in the Little Free Library on April 14 and take a photo.
- After you’re done, let us know how it went, and share your pictures.
Contact: [email protected]. Click here to register.
Flavors of our Community Pantry Packs
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Date/Time(s): Completed pantry packs can be dropped off at the Bremer Bank locations listed below during open business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) from Wednesday, March 4–Friday, April 12.
Location(s): Completed packs can be dropped off at the following locations. Completed packs can be dropped off at the following Bremer bank locations.
- Brooklyn Center: 5540 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center.
- Eagan: 1995 RahnCliff Court, Eagan.
- Edina: 6900 France Ave S, Edina.
- Lake Elmo (Service Center): 8555 Eagle Point Blvd, Lake Elmo.
- Plymouth: 3415 Vicksburg Ln N, Plymouth.
- Roseville: 1715 County Road B2 West, Roseville.
- St. Louis Park: 7924 Highway 7
- St. Paul: 423 Snelling Ave N, St Paul.
If you are not able to drop off your pantry packs at a Bremer Bank location, you can schedule a drop-off at the Greater Twin Cities United Way office by selecting “Schedule a drop-off at United Way” when you register.
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Flavors of Our Community is a food initiative focused on increasing access to culturally specific food items at local food shelves. Our community is home to many cultures with a variety of meaningful foods and flavors. It is important that our neighbors experiencing food insecurity have access to foods and spices that are familiar and significant to their culture. Your family can help by purchasing and assembling Flavors of Our Community Packs. Learn more here.
Contact: Registration is available online.
Annual River Gorge Earth Day Cleanup
Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 20, 9:30 a.m.–noon.
Location: West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street in Minneapolis.
Ages: Everyone can participate.
Time Commitment: Up to two and one-half hours.
This family-friendly Earth Day tradition provides an excellent opportunity to get outside and work together to help improve this treasured area. Taking place just off of West River Parkway, this cleanup is an Earth Day tradition in the Minneapolis River Gorge. Geologically, the Mississippi River Gorge spans from St. Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis to the confluence with the Minnesota River in St. Paul. People come from throughout the local river corridor, neighborhoods, and metro area to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the health and vitality of the Mississippi River. This is a family-friendly event providing an excellent opportunity to get outside and work together to help improve this treasured area. We’ve returned to this site year after year and have noticed a dramatic improvement in the area. This event is supported by the local neighborhood group, the Longfellow Community Council. Learn more here.
Contact: [email protected]. Advance registration for this event is not required for individuals or groups of 10 or fewer. To participate, show up at 9:30 a.m. at East 36th Street & West River Parkway if you are volunteering as an individual or with a group of under 10 people; show up at East 44th Street & West River Parkway if you’re with a group of 10-20. We’ll provide all the supplies, but feel free to wear your own gloves if you have them. Sturdy shoes and dressing in layers for the weather are strongly suggested.
2024 Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 20, 9:30 a.m.– noon.
Location: This year’s cleanup will take place throughout the City of Minneapolis. Check the Earth Day Cleanup page for park locations.
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Join MPRB for our annual Earth Day cleanup. It’s free to participate and everyone is encouraged to participate. This year’s cleanup takes place throughout the City of Minneapolis and is a collaboration between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling.
Contact: Check the MPRB Earth Day Cleanup page for updates.
Spring Yard Cleanup and Seasonal Mowing Volunteers Needed
DARTS
Date/Time: Volunteers are needed in April and May.
Location: Dakota County and South Washington County area.
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate.
Time Commitment: Spring yard clean-up typically takes one to two hours depending on yard size. Mowing typically takes up to one hour depending on yard size.
Spring clean-up volunteers are needed to provide basic yard work for older homeowners who are no longer able to do the work themselves. Examples can include raking, cleaning out garden beds, or light bush trimming. You are encouraged to bring your own rake, leaf blower, and trimmers. Individual volunteers and volunteer teams will be assigned/matched to as many yards they are interested in serving, from mid-late April through mid-May.
Mowing volunteers help an older homeowner throughout the growing season by mowing and light weeding, weekly or as needed. All DARTS Outdoor Chore volunteers, mowing and yard clean-up, play a crucial role in helping older homeowners maintain a sense of pride in their property. These are great opportunities for families to share in the experience of giving back to the community and actually see the difference they can make!
Contact: Flexible scheduling is available. Work with the homeowner to find a date that works best for you. Sign up for these fun opportunities at https://dartsconnects.org/volunteer/ or call Lindy Engelken at 651.234.2254.
Help Seniors in Your Community with Spring Yard Cleanup
HOME Program of Senior Community Services (SCS)
Date/Time: Spring cleanups can be scheduled on either weekdays or weekends. Yard clean-up begins in late April and continues through the summer.
Location: Locations are in Minneapolis or suburban Hennepin County, depending upon where the senior lives.
Ages: Families with children ages seven and older are welcome to volunteer. Come once or come throughout the season!
Time Commitment: Two to three hours.
Volunteers are needed to help with spring cleanup for low-income seniors in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. This is a fun volunteer opportunity to get outdoors while helping seniors stay in their homes by helping with outdoor home care that they are unable to do themselves. Hours are flexible; you choose the date and time that works for you!
Contact: For more information, please contact Karen at [email protected] or 952.767.7894.
Buckthorn Snip and Understory Seeding at Garlough School Forest
Great River Greening
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 8, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Garlough Park (school parking lot), West Saint Paul. Participants will receive a detailed map to the exact location.
Ages: This is a family-friendly event. Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate.
Time Commitment: Two hours.
Join Great River Greening for an evening in the school forest at Garlough Park. Volunteers will snip buckthorn regrowth in the recently cleared area and then add native seed to the forest understory. Garlough Park has had significant habitat restoration work occur in the last few years with the goal of creating native forests and pollinator plantings for the use of the park patrons, students at the adjacent elementary school, and the wildlife of the city. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the tools and training required. Volunteers can expect an easy, flat walk from parking/ facilities to work areas. There will also be light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring your own reusable water bottle and any additional snacks you may need.
Contact: Jessica Drummond at [email protected]. Registration is required and is available online.
Thanks A Million Teacher Appreciation Event
Kids In Need Foundation
Date/Time: Saturday, May 4, 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. There are four different shifts during the day, 7–10:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m.–noon, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., and 2:30–5:30 p.m.
Location: Grace Church Roseville’s parking lot, located at 1310 County Road B2 W, Roseville.
Ages: All volunteers for this event must be at least 12 years old. A parent/guardian will be responsible for the youth throughout the event.
Time Commitment: Shifts are between three to four hours.
Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) believes that every child in America should have equal opportunity and access to a quality education. KINF is excited for our third annual Thanks A Million event. We are looking forward to providing over 1,000 local teachers with $1,000 each of school supplies to thank them for their dedication to serving students. Volunteers will be assigned to help in a variety of roles including distributing products, returning shopping carts, restocking supplies, checking in teachers, recycling cardboard boxes, and other duties as needed. First-shift volunteers will also help with set-up and the last-shift volunteers will help with event tear down.
2024 Minnesota Race for the Cure
Susan G. Komen
Date/Time: Friday, May, 10, and Saturday, May 11. Set up, Friday, May 10, timeframe TBD
- Set-up volunteers will assist with tasks including, but not limited to, placing signage and banners, moving supply boxes, decorating tents, and more. Must be able to lift 15 lbs
Clean up Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Clean-up volunteers will assist with tasks including, but not limited to, removing signage and banners, moving supply boxes, emptying trash bins, and more. Must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Location: Viking Lakes, 2600 Vikings Circle, Eagan.
Ages: There are several family-friendly opportunities available. Volunteers must be at least 10 years old. All youth under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Time Commitment: This will vary depending on the activity.
For over 30 years, Susan G. Komen has led the way in funding groundbreaking research, community health initiatives, and advocacy programs in local communities across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. The Race for the Cure is Komen’s signature fundraising event. This Mother’s Day weekend, community members from around the Twin Cities will gather together to celebrate the strength and resilience of all people affected by breast cancer while also raising vital funds to help Susan G. Komen invest more in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer, break down inequitable barriers to high-quality care, and provide patients’ direct support in their treatment journey. Volunteers play a vital role in the success of our events, and there are several ways that your family can help at the Race for the Cure this year. Browse the list of volunteer opportunities to learn more!
Contact: Madyson Haskins, [email protected], 972.701.2012. Registration is available online.
Doors Open Minneapolis 2024
Rethos – Doors Open Minneapolis
Date/Time: Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Greeter shifts are 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 1:30–5:30 p.m.
Location: There are dozens of venues (businesses and buildings) across Minneapolis.
Ages: Families are welcome to volunteer together. Greeters must be ten years old or older and need to volunteer with their legal parent or guardian.
Time Commitment: Four hours on either Saturday or Sunday (or both if you’re feeling ambitious!)
Rethos is a nonprofit organization working throughout Minnesota and the greater United States to promote the use of old buildings and sites. We activate space, invest in communities, and reimagine what places can be. As a volunteer, you will assist in executing Doors Open Minneapolis in 2024. Doors Open Minneapolis is a weekend event that allows the public to explore the buildings that tell our city’s story. From theaters to business hubs, sacred spaces to private clubs, sports complexes to engineering wonders, historical gems to not-even-open-yet buildings, Doors Open Minneapolis will give visitors a free behind-the-scenes look at dozens of exciting venues. Your role as a volunteer greeter will make this event function smoothly and easily. And we guarantee you’ll have lots of fun!
Volunteer responsibilities:
- Welcome Doors Open Minneapolis attendees to the venue and count them as they enter.
- Encourage attendees to register for Doors Open Minneapolis. Attendees will register via a mobile QR code or weblink and will be entered in a raffle to win prizes. Distribute stickers to attendees. Assist with the flow of foot traffic. Answer general questions about the event.
- Attend one mandatory volunteer information session in late April or early May. Multiple sessions (in-person and virtual) will be scheduled for your convenience.
- Two volunteers will be stationed at each venue for the duration of the event’s operating hours.
Volunteers will receive a pass that allows them priority access at venues, allowing them to skip venue lines for the duration of the event. Volunteers will receive a free Doors Open Minneapolis t-shirt. There will also be a post-event volunteer appreciation party with food and beverages.
Rethos is the coordinating entity for Doors Open Minneapolis. We work with the City of Minneapolis, the American Institute of Architects, and many more local partners to produce this event.
Contact: Leighton Sundberg, Rethos Public Engagement Coordinator, [email protected]. You get to choose the venue you volunteer at, and you can sign up with a family member or friend! Registration is available online.
Planting Wild Strawberries and Waterleaf into Bee Lawn at Hidden Falls
Great River Greening
Date/Time: Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.–noon.
Location: 1313 Hidden Falls Drive, St. Paul. Participants will receive a detailed map to the exact location.
Ages: This is a family-friendly event. Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate.
Time Commitment: Three hours.
Join Great River Greening at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul to plant wild strawberries and waterleaf for native ground cover. These species are resilient to mowing and they bloom with early spring flowers critical for bees just waking up. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the tools and training required.
There will also be light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring a reusable water bottle and any additional snacks or lunch items you may need. Lunch will be served for volunteers at noon.
Contact: Jessica Drummond at [email protected]. Registration is required and is available online.
Go Camo Care Package Collection
Soldier’s Angels
Date/Time: The Go Camo Care Package Collection drive will run from April 1–June 30.
Location: Ship your collected items to:
Soldiers’ Angels Go Camo
2895 NE Loop 410, Suite 107
San Antonio, Texas 78218
Ages: Everyone can participate.
Time Commitment: Varies.
The mission of Soldiers’ Angels is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families. Soldiers’ Angels Special Campaigns are designed with one goal in mind: bringing people together to collect the items our service members and veterans need. Soldiers’ Angels sends thousands of care packages to deployed individuals every year. Your family can help by collecting items for their annual Go Camo Care Package Collection drive. Items that need to be collected for care packages include hygiene and personal care items, snack care items, and downtime items. Click here and scroll down for the complete list of items needed.
Contact: [email protected]
Volunteer Meal Packing Events
Every Meal
Date/Time: Click here to see upcoming Meal Packing Opportunities. Registration is required. Parents or legal guardians bringing youth volunteer(s) should “Register as Team” so that the adult can reserve spots for the youth participants. Please arrive 10–15 minutes before the event start time.
Ages: Volunteers must be eight years or older, with no exceptions. Youth volunteers must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Every Meal, 2723 Patton Rd, Roseville. When you arrive, please head for the back (west) side of the building and park between doors H and O. There is a black canopy with the Every Meal name and logo over the main entrance (door N).
Time Commitment: Two hours.
Every Meal works to combat hunger in our community by filling the gaps in food access that children face. Thousands of Minnesota children receive food from Every Meal for the weekend at over 400 schools. Volunteers are needed to help assemble the meal bags we provide for students and families. All of our food bags are 4-5 pounds and contain approximately 4 meals of nutritious, non-perishable food, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and soups/entrees. It’s a fun and upbeat volunteer environment! First, we’ll have a brief orientation. Then we’ll form assembly lines and pack non-perishable food items for people in our community who need them! Masks are currently not required but are encouraged if that is your preference.
Contact: Liam Green, [email protected], or Barbara Fritz, [email protected]. Registration is available online.
Volunteers Needed at the Minneapolis Toy Library
Minneapolis Toy Library
Date/Time: Ongoing, Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Location(s):
- South Minneapolis location: 8 W 60th St., Minneapolis.
- Northeast Minneapolis location: 2510 Cleveland St NE, Minneapolis.
Ages: Families with children 10 years old and older are welcome to volunteer together. Teens 14 years old and older can volunteer independently.
Time Commitment: Three hours.
The Minneapolis Toy Library is a toy lending program for families with children ages birth to 5 years. Like a book library, you can check out up to five toys, take them home for two–four weeks, and exchange them for new ones when you return! Shifts would consist of greeting families, checking toys back into our user-friendly computer software, and/or putting toys back on the shelves after they are checked in.
Contact: Kari Carlson at [email protected].
How can I volunteer in Minneapolis? This is a great option!
Serve Dinner–Change a Life
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities
Date/Time: Dinner volunteer shifts run from 5–7 p.m. Check the online volunteer calendar for available shifts.
Location: 435 University Ave. East, St. Paul. You can park anywhere in our lot, even in spots designated for staff.
Ages: Families with children 12 years old and older are welcome to volunteer
Time Commitment: Two–hour shifts.
The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is looking for volunteers to help serve meals every day of the week. This is a great opportunity to meet the basic needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Enter through the “Food Services” entrance, left of the patio by the dumpsters. When you arrive at the kitchen, please put your belongings in the storage room. Check in at the kiosk and wait for instructions from the kitchen staff.
Food Service volunteers must wear:
- Closed-toe shoes.
- Clothing that covers the chest, shoulders, underarms, torso, and knees.
- Hairnets (provided by UGMTC) or a hat (brought by the volunteer).
- Gloves and aprons (provided by UGMTC).
- Clothing must not portray themes related to alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, sex, or violence.
Contact: Dixie Scruggs, [email protected] or 651.789.7570. Registration is available online.
Fleece Tie Blankets
Kids In Need Foundation Teacher Resource Center
Date/Time: Ongoing.
Location: Completed projects can be dropped off at the Kids In Need Foundation Teacher Resource Center, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. You can drive around to the back of the building (look for the blue awning), call 612.465.0135, and a member of our team will be happy to meet you! Or, you can mail them to us via our partnership with Zappos for Good (shipping is free if the boxes mailed are under 50 lbs).
Kids In Need Teacher Resource Center
2719 Patton Rd
Roseville, MN 55113
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
The Kids In Need Foundation Teacher Resource Center is looking for offsite volunteers to purchase and make fleece tie blankets for children pre-K through high school age. This opportunity is ongoing as the need for teachers to provide these items for their students has increased. Our Teacher Resource Center serves Minnesota teachers through a variety of distribution channels. For teachers located within the Twin Cities area, we offer an in-store shopping experience at our location in Roseville. We also support teachers who are located outside of the Twin Cities through extended services to ensure supplies make their way into the hands of under-resourced teachers and students who need them most. Blankets can be any size and design. Click here to learn how to make fleece blankets or here for video instructions.
Contact: [email protected], 612.465.0135
|
|
Welcome Baskets
Clare Housing
Date/Time: Please contact Debbie Wyman to schedule a delivery time.
Location: Bloom Lake Flats, 3020 16th. Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Ages: Everyone can help. This project is suitable for families.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Clare Housing provides a continuum of affordable and supportive housing options that create healing communities and optimize the health of people living with HIV/AIDS. Many people living in our affordable housing units have a tough time meeting all of their basic needs. Help give our residents the dignity they deserve by providing a welcome basket so they don’t have to move into an empty apartment. We are currently working to set up the units in our newest building, Bloom Lake Flats, and we have both studio and one-bedroom apartments to furnish with Welcome Baskets. Click here for a list of Welcome Basket items needed. On average, the items for each basket will cost about $450–$500. This would be a great project for your family to do with a group of friends!
Contact: [email protected]. Please contact Debbie before beginning your Welcome Basket. She will let you know whether to shop for studio or one-bedroom apartment items.
Saturday Freezer Meal Support
HOPE 4 Youth
Date/Time: Second Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.–noon.
Location: HOPE 4 Youth Drop-In Center is located at 2665 4th Ave, Suite #40, Anoka.
Ages: All ages can help prepare meals in a licensed kitchen to be dropped off at HOPE 4 Youth. Multiple meals can be prepared in advance and brought in to be kept in our freezer for future meal service.
Time Commitment: Varies by the meal prepared.
Come to our kitchen at HOPE 4 Youth and help prepare a freezer meal for us to use during the week when we do not have a community kitchen. This a great opportunity for a family of all ages to join, bring in their meal ingredients, and cook together in our certified kitchen.
Contact: Mari Dahlke, [email protected], 763.323.2066 ext. 118.
Assemble and Donate Needed Kits
Agate Housing and Services (formerly St. Stephen’s/House of Charity)
Date/Time: Ongoing need.
Location: To drop off items, reach out to Abigail Abele at 612.715.0449 (text or call) or by email at [email protected].
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Agate is committed to helping every person and family have a stable place to live and their basic human needs met. Programs offered by Agate include:
- Street outreach.
- Temporary and permanent housing.
- Free public meals.
- Free public showers.
- Representative payee services.
- Birth certificate and ID support.
Your family can help by purchasing items, assembling kits, and donating them to Agate.
Weather Protection Kits for Fall and Winter. Living in Minnesota, you know the unpredictable weather this season can bring. We serve a wide variety of people experiencing homelessness, from those in residences with limited supplies to shelter guests and unhoused neighbors living and traveling on foot outdoors in all weather conditions. We need your help gathering supplies to keep our residents, guests, and unsheltered neighbors safe.
Snack Packs. We use these packs a lot! They are given to people who stop into our Welcome Center and are given by our Street Outreach team as well. These kits are usually assembled in gallon-sized bags and include non-perishable foods and water.
Welcome Home Baskets. When our neighbors transition from being unhoused or leaving a shelter, they usually don’t have the supplies needed to care for their new home. That’s what these baskets are for! Baskets include items like soap, garbage bags, and towels.
Don’t have the time to assemble kits? You can check out our Amazon wishlist and have supplies shipped directly to Agate.
Contact: Abigail Abele (Volunteer and In-kind Coordinator) at [email protected] or 612.715.0449 with any questions or to schedule a drop-off directly.
Host a Donation Drive
HOPE 4 Youth
Date/Time(s): This opportunity offers flexibility in terms of timing and dates.
Location: Deliver donations to HOPE 4 Youth Drop-In Center located at 2665 4th Ave, Suite #40, Anoka.
Ages: Everyone can help support a donation drive.
Time Commitment: Varies.
A donation drive is a great way to support HOPE 4 Youth and can be very flexible in how the drive is organized and when it occurs. Many people choose to host a drive in their neighborhood, in their family, at their local faith-based organization, through sports groups, and more! Simply contact Mari Dahlke to share that you are interested and we have all the materials you need for what to collect and how to spread the word. Don’t have enough time to run a donation drive? We also have virtual drive lists at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
Contact: Mari Dahlke, [email protected], 763.323.2066 ext. 118
Meal Service Volunteers
Loaves & Fishes
Date/Time(s): Check individual sites for dates and times.
Location(s): Loaves & Fishes meal sites are located throughout the metro area.
Ages: At Loaves & Fishes, we appreciate and support youth involvement in community service and the opportunity to expose youth to a condition of life different from their own. Our youth participation guidelines help provide a safe and efficient work environment while maintaining the dignity of our guests. The following age breakdowns are suggested best practices. However, because each meal site is different, Site Coordinators may make exceptions at their discretion and with parental input and permission.
- Volunteers 15 years old and younger may handle cold food and cold beverages.
- Youth ages 13 to 15 years old must have one adult for every five youths for supervision purposes.
- Youth ages 12 years old and under need to have direct one-on-one supervision. It is suggested that children under 8 years old do not attend unless prior arrangements are made with the dining site’s coordinator.
Time Commitment: Typically, two to three hours.
For 41 years, Loaves & Fishes has served free, healthy meals to Minnesotans where the need is greatest. Today, we are the largest free restaurant in Minnesota. We serve urban, suburban, and rural communities through a variety of meal programs supported by creative food sourcing and food rescue efforts.
Loaves & Fishes has opportunities for individuals and small groups to help package and serve meals at our various meal sites. No experience is necessary; our site coordinators will walk you through everything. Loaves & Fishes Minnesota is not a religious organization; we serve without regard to religious perspective and do not engage in activities that promote any particular religious cause.
Meal Site Cooking volunteers assist with cooking a pre-planned meal under the guidance of the site coordinator and help package meals for distribution.
Meal Site Serving volunteers continue to package and distribute meals, clean up during distribution and at the end of the evening, and do dishes throughout the serving period.
We also have opportunities for individuals and small groups to help at our Commissary Kitchen, preparing food for distribution at our various meal sites. As with our meal sites, no experience is necessary. Commissary Prep volunteers will prepare and package food/meals and will likely be working with raw meat.
Contact: Director of Volunteers and Outreach, 612.377.9810, [email protected]. Please check this link to search for a meal site based on location or day of the week. Whether to prep and/or to serve, simply find a date (or dates) that work for you and sign up. You will receive a confirmation email soon after signing up.
Welcome Basket Donations
Life Haven
Date/Time: Please make arrangements to deliver your Welcome Basket by contacting us at 651.776.9805 or [email protected] to make drop-off arrangements.
Location: Eastside St. Paul location.
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Life Haven mothers and their children often have little or nothing with them when they arrive at our program. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re able to provide needed items upon their arrival. Life Haven staff use welcome baskets to set up youth bedrooms fully stocked with necessary hygiene products. Your family can help us welcome new moms and their children by donating a welcome basket filled with these needed items! Items included in a welcome basket are:
For the Mother:
- A laundry basket that can also be used to hold all of the items.
- Bath towel and washcloth.
- Body wash.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Deodorant.
- Tampons and/or pads.
- Shampoo and conditioner (culturally specific products).
- Hair styling product.
- Brush and comb.
- Twin sheet sets and pillows.
- Lotion.
- Razor and shaving cream.
- House socks or slippers.
- Bath robe.
- Pajama set.
For the Child:
- Diapers in a variety of sizes.
- Wet wipes.
- Baby bathtub.
- Baby shampoo.
- Baby lotion.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Bath towel and washcloth.
- Pacifier.
- Sippy cup or bottle.
- Baby clothing.
- Crib sheet set.
- Baby towels.
- Baby bibs.
- Baby nail clipper set.
- Books.
- Stuffed animal.
Contact: 651.776.9805 or [email protected]
Make and Donate Snack Packs for School Kids!
The Open Door Pantry
Date/Time: Please reach out to Nicole Tyrrell, [email protected], to schedule a drop-off day and time.
Location: 3000 Ames Crossing Road, Suite 100, Eagan
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
The Open Door provides food support for low-income individuals and families across Dakota County. Gather your family and hold an off-site packing project for The Open Door. We are currently in need of pre-packed snack packs for children during the school year. Kid-friendly snack pack items include:
- Fruit cups with apple sauce or cut fruit.
- Granola or fruit bars.
- Juice boxes.
- Microwaveable mac and cheese.
- Snack-sized goldfish crackers or pretzels.
- Instant oatmeal.
- Protein snacks like beef jerky or other meat snacks.
Pack five–seven snacks into each plastic or reusable bag. (Please do not include notes inside bags.)
Contact: Nicole Tyrrell, [email protected].
Organize A Towel Drive
Bridging
Date/Time: Flexible.
Location: Drop off donated items at either 201 West 87th Street, Bloomington, or 1730 Terrace Drive, Roseville.
Ages: Everyone can participate in collecting towels.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Through the effective reuse of donated items, Bridging improves lives by providing quality furniture and household goods to those transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Bridging gives hope, and for many, a leap toward financial stability for the first time. Bridging needs more than 300 towels each week–that’s 15,000 each year! Your family can help by collecting the following types of towels:
- Bath towels.
- Kitchen towels.
- Beach towels.
- Hand towels.
- Washcloths.
- Dishcloths.
New and gently used items are accepted. Donate from your existing supply or purchase new! Bridging cannot accept items with dirt, stains, rips, odors, or animal hair. Learn more here.
Contact: Joel Bisser, Community Engagement Coordinator, [email protected], 651.403.6872.
Learn and Deliver Meals with Your Family!
Meals on Wheels
Date/Time: Volunteer one hour during lunchtime, Monday through Friday.
Location: With over thirty neighborhood sites throughout the Twin Cities, you can easily be connected with a delivery site near your home! Visit our website at www.meals-on-wheels.com to learn more and to sign up to volunteer with the program nearest you!
Ages: Families are welcome and encouraged to volunteer.
Time Commitment: About an hour at lunchtime.
Delivering Meals on Wheels with your children or grandchildren is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time as a family and pass on the values of kindness, compassion, and civic responsibility by helping seniors and individuals with disabilities in your community. Whether you have infants or teenagers, you can make a contribution together to improve your community. Delivering meals involves driving to the program site, picking up meals, and delivering them to eight to ten clients in your community.
Contact: Kala Hotakainen, [email protected], 612.623.3363.
Be a Sitter for Future Assistance Dogs!
Can Do Canines
Date/Time: Ongoing need, as puppies need sitters at various times throughout the year.
Location: 9440 Science Center Drive, New Hope
Ages: This is a great family project. Children can take part in feeding, obedience training, and helping to work on good house manners.
Time Commitment: Six or fewer days at a time.
If you love puppies but are not ready to adopt a dog, being a sitter may be a good option for you and your family! Sitters host a dog that is between eight weeks and two years of age in their home for up to six days, while the dog’s longer-term raiser is out of town or unavailable. Can Do Canines will cover the cost of food and vet expenses. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time as a family and pass on the values of commitment, compassion, and civic responsibility by helping people with disabilities in your community.
Contact: Christine Popp, Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected].
Help Raise Future Assistance Dogs!
Can Do Canines
Date/Time: Ongoing need, as puppies need homes at various times throughout the year.
Location: 9440 Science Center Drive, New Hope.
Ages: This is a great family project. Children 15 years old and younger can take part in feeding, obedience training, and helping puppies to work on good house manners, and children who are 16 years old and older can handle dogs in class and in public places under adult supervision.
Time Commitment: Opportunities range from 1 week to 24 months.
Raise and train a future assistance dog! Raisers are needed to teach our curious canines good house manners and how to behave well in public places. Raisers take a future assistance dog into their home for timeframes that range from 1 week up to 24 months. You can choose the length of time you host a dog. Can Do Canines will cover the cost of food and vet expenses. Puppy Raisers are asked to take the puppy on public outings three times a week and bring the puppy to one training opportunity a month. We have amazing trainers to teach you how to raise a future assistance dog. You’ll learn new skills in class and get comfortable taking the puppy in public while attending our group outings. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time as a family and pass on the values of commitment, compassion, and civic responsibility by helping people with disabilities in your community.
Contact: Christine Popp, Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected].
Meals on Wheels Drivers
Community Emergency Services (CES)
Date/Time: Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Shifts will vary slightly depending on the day, number of clients on each route, and holiday hours.
Location: 1900 11th Ave S, Minneapolis.
Ages: Everyone can help. Bring the whole family along to provide healthy food and a smile to our senior neighbors!
Time Commitment: Routes typically take about an hour and a half.
Your family can bring a smile to a senior by delivering a noontime frozen or hot meal to seniors in north and south Minneapolis. Our caring delivery volunteers provide a wellness check and daily contact to build community and social connections with isolated people. We also need extra drivers to deliver leading up to the Christmas and New Year holidays, due to closures for the holidays themselves.
Contact: Ligia Kendall, Meals on Wheels Program Manager, [email protected].
Host a Donation Drive for CES
Community Emergency Services (CES)
Date/Time: Donations can be dropped off at CES Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. or by appointment.
Location: 1900 11th Ave S, Minneapolis.
Time Commitment: Varies, but we recommend one to four weeks to run your drive.
Ages: Everyone can help.
CES is a non-profit crisis relief and empowerment organization that serves Minneapolis with a number of food-based programs in the most culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Minnesota. We need your help to ensure the shelves are stocked with great nutritious food offerings. Your family can help by hosting a drive to collect needed food and personal hygiene items for CES programs. Learn about how to host a drive here. Don’t have time to host a drive? You can still collect food or other needed goods to CES.
Contact: Annette Roth at [email protected], or 612.870.1125 ext. 204. Click here to register your drive.
Donate Children’s Clothing and Coats!
Giving Factory Direct by Cradles to Crayons
Date/Time: Year-round.
Location: Virtual.
Ages: Everyone can participate.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Giving Factory Direct matches you with a child experiencing clothing insecurity and provides a pre-paid UPS shipping label so you can ship clothing directly to a child who needs it.
How It Works: Create an account to let us know what size and gender of clothing you’d like to give, and you will be matched with a child at one of our verified nonprofit partners. Giving Factory Direct serves children ages 0–12 living in homeless or low-income situations, and accepts new or gently-used clothing in sizes newborn to adult medium.
New! Now accepting coats sizes 0-3 months to youth 18/20 (adult medium).
When donating, please use Group Code DGT2023.
Contact: Email [email protected] with any questions, and register online today!
Meal Delivery
Open Arms of Minnesota (Background check and Mandatory Vaccination Requirement)
Date/Time(s): Weekdays, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Monday–Wednesday deliveries serve the greater West Metro area and are labeled MPLS. These routes pick up meals at our Minneapolis location.
- Thursday and Friday deliveries serve the greater East Metro area and are labeled STP. These routes pick up meals at our St. Paul location.
Location(s):
- MPLS: 2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis.
- STP: 380 E Lafayette Frontage Rd, St. Paul.
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer. The driver must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
Time Commitment: One to two hours per shift. After you’ve attended a new volunteer orientation or completed our online orientation and completed a background check (driver only), you may sign up to volunteer. There is no minimum time commitment. You can volunteer once, on a regular basis, or as often as you are available.
Volunteer to deliver meals to our clients and help Open Arms bring nourishment to people who need it most. Open Arms delivers homemade food to approximately 1,200 clients every week across the Twin Cities, using healthy ingredients, free of charge. Pick the delivery route that suits you and your family best. We do drive-up contactless delivery. You drive up, and we load your car. You do not need to exit your vehicle at all. When delivering to the client, we enforce a drop, wait, and wave policy. We do not enter any homes; however, we do enter apartment buildings. Masks are required. We supply masks if needed and hand sanitizer between routes.
Contact: Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Follow this link to get started: https://openarmsmn.volunteerhub.com/.
Meal Preparation, Packaging, or Packout for Deliveries and Shipping Volunteers Needed
Open Arms of Minnesota
Date/Time: There are a variety of shifts available.
Location(s):
- 2500 Bloomington Ave. S, Minneapolis.
- 380 E. Lafayette Frontage Rd., St. Paul.
Ages: Families with children ages eight years old and older are welcome to volunteer. Click here for more information on age requirements and adult-to-youth ratio.
Time Commitment: Two hours per shift.
Families with youth are welcome to help with the following volunteer opportunities.
Meal Prep and Packaging: Youth are welcome to help us in the kitchen with scooping cookie dough, making Jell-O, and packaging cookies for our clients’ weekly meal deliveries.
Packout for Deliveries and Shipping: Youth are welcome to help us pack bags or boxes for our client’s weekly meal deliveries. Submit online applications for each adult and youth interested in volunteering. After attending orientation, you may sign up for kitchen shifts as often as you’d like. Learn more about us at www.openarmsmn.org.
Contact: Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. To get started, visit https://openarmsmn.volunteerhub.com/.
Bedtime Bundles
FamilyWise Services
Date/Time: Donations can be dropped off Monday–Friday between 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 3036 University Ave SE, Minneapolis
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
FamilyWise has been keeping children safe and helping families lead stable, healthy, and productive lives since 1976. We educate, empower, and enrich families who are struggling with poverty, substance abuse, mental health issues, homelessness, and domestic violence. Your family can Create Good Night kits to help FamilyWise families with bedtime preparedness. We’re looking for bundles containing the following items:
- Toothbrushes (kids and adults).
- Toothpaste (kids and adults).
- Night lights.
- Alarm clocks.
- Bedtime stories.
- Blankets.
- Bundles can be packaged in a tote bag for convenience.
Contact: Please contact the volunteer coordinator at [email protected] with any questions and to schedule a drop-off.
Make a Meal
Lasagna Love
Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity
Location: Varies
Ages: Families with children of all ages are encouraged to participate.
Time Commitment: Varies
Lasagna Love was started at the beginning of the pandemic when the founder was looking for a way to help moms in her community. She and her toddler started making and delivering meals to families in the neighborhood who were struggling, whether that struggle was financial, emotional, or simply feeling overwhelmed. Since then, Lasagna Love has grown into a global movement, with thousands of people cooking and delivering meals to families in their communities. How does the process work? After answering a few short questions (including how far you are able to drive) on their Volunteer Portal, you will be matched with a family in need of a meal. Once matched, volunteers are able to communicate directly with their matched family to set up a drop-off date/time. When the time comes, meals are dropped off on the porch/doorstep to ensure a safe and contactless delivery. You may also donate lasagna ingredients to local Lasagna makers. In addition to cooking, you can also nominate a friend or family who may need a home-cooked meal.
Contact: [email protected]. Check here to see if Lasagna Love is currently in your neighborhood.
Food Pantry Volunteer
VEAP
Date/Time: Shifts run every weekday at 8:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., or 2:15 p.m.
Location: 9600 Aldrich Avenue South, Bloomington.
Ages: Families with children nine years old and older are welcome to volunteer together. Children 9–11 years old must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Youth 12 years old and older can volunteer independently.
Time Commitment: Shifts are typically three hours. We do not require you to sign up for a minimum number of shifts in order to volunteer.
VEAP is a basic needs and social services organization whose programs promote access to healthy foods, stable housing, and other supportive services. Your family can help your community by volunteering at VEAP! Our opportunities welcome everyone, don’t require experience, and are fun! Volunteers learn new skills, make a difference, and see their impact firsthand, as well as gain insight into how food and housing insecurity affects their community. Within our pantry, volunteers have the opportunity to:
- Ensure that only the finest and freshest items are placed on our pantry’s shelves by carefully sorting through food donations.
- Contribute to our indoor shopping model (Monday to Thursday) by warmly welcoming participants, providing them with a clear understanding of our process, addressing any questions they might have, and ultimately fostering a positive shopping experience.
- Play a vital role in our drive-through operations (Fridays only) by efficiently checking in visitors, assisting them in placing their food orders, and facilitating the loading of their groceries into their vehicles.
Contact: [email protected], 952.955.8323. Adult volunteers are required to first attend an orientation prior to joining us. Youth can select up to five shifts within our pantry right away. Fill out our application at http://veap.org/become-a-volunteer/.
Year Round Meal Service
Simpson Housing Services
Date/Time: Lunchtime, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. or dinner time, 5:30–8 p.m.
Location: Simpson Housing Services Emergency Shelter, 128 W. 33rd Street, Minneapolis.
Ages: Everyone can help! This is a great opportunity for group sizes of five-eight people.
Time Commitment: Two and a half hours.
Are you looking for a fall group activity? Help provide Simpson Housing’s Emergency Homeless Shelter with meals! Each night 64 single adults sleep at the shelter where we offer three meals a day and rely heavily on volunteers to provide our guests with lunch and dinner.
Serving a meal to those experiencing homelessness is a fun, rewarding, and very manageable volunteer opportunity! Your family can plan a menu using your favorite recipes or use one of ours, purchase groceries (average cost is $150), and cook and serve a meal to approximately 35 shelter guests at lunch or 50 shelter guests at dinner. We will work with you to make it as easy as possible. From planning the menu, and figuring out portions, to orienting yourself to the kitchen, we will be there to make sure you have a meaningful and successful evening. We have quite a few dates available this fall. Please contact us for a list of dates from which to choose. What a great way to spend an evening with family and friends!
Contact: Aaron Ramos at [email protected]
Family Care Packages
Solid Ground
Date/Time: Ongoing.
Location: Solid Ground, 3521 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake.
Ages: Everyone can participate.
Time Commitment: Varies.
The mission of Solid Ground is to prevent and end homelessness for families with children in the communities we serve through housing, resources, and opportunity. Volunteers are needed to assemble packages of everyday essential items tailored to our families’ most urgent needs. Items could be purchased in bulk at discount stores or collected via a donation drive. On average, a group of five volunteers can assemble 50–100 packages in under 20 minutes!
Here’s how it works:
- Select a project that best fits your group size, availability, and interest.
- Gather materials to supply at least three of the suggested items per package.
- Assemble packages as a group, labeling the contents on each package.
- Arrange for delivery to Solid Ground at 3521 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
Care Package Ideas:
- Personal Care Pack: suggested items include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste.
- Healthy Snack Pack: suggested items include granola bars, applesauce, Goldfish crackers, a juice box, and fruit snacks.
- Cleaning Supply Starter Kit: suggested items include a small waste basket, an all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, trash bags, and a spray bottle.
Contact: Dylan at [email protected] for more details.
Mentor a Child
Kids ‘n Kinship
Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity.
Location: Your home or the community.
Ages: Mentors are families, couples, or individuals over 21 years old.
Time Commitment: One to four hours per week, on average. Scheduling is very flexible; weekends, evenings, or after-school times are available.
Mentoring Makes a Difference! Kids ‘N Kinship is in need of mentors as we currently have 41 youth on a waitlist waiting for a mentor. Would you consider stepping in to help us fill this need? We are based in Dakota County, and we serve families in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, and Rosemount. Kids ‘n Kinship matches volunteer mentors as families, couples, and individuals with youth ages 5–16 years old in need of additional positive role models. We have three opportunities to mentor: community mentoring, school-based mentoring, and serving as a pen pal for a child currently on our waitlist. Matches are made based on compatible personalities, ages, and interests, as well as the preferences of both the volunteer family and the youth with their parent/guardian. Our mentoring families say that mentoring together ensures they have weekly family time and that it’s easy to include another child in the family activity, whether it’s a board game, sledding, a trip to a park, or going to the zoo or a museum. Kids ‘n Kinship offers passes to area attractions to make activities more affordable. Additionally, we provide continuous support and training for our mentors, starting with a 45-minute information session and a two-hour training session. We ask mentors and mentees to commit to one year together in order to build their relationship; however, many of our matches become lifelong friends, and our average match is about two to three years. Please consider being a mentor to a child. It is one of the most life-changing and rewarding ways to volunteer your time. Learn more at www.kidsnkinship.org.
Contact: Kerry Stok, [email protected].
Provide Needed Supply Kits
Avivo
Date/Time: Ongoing need. Please plan to drop off your kits during business hours, Monday–Friday. For more information or to schedule a donation drop-off, contact [email protected].
Location: 1900 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis.
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Your family can make a difference in the lives of people Avivo serves by donating urgently needed items or purchasing and assembling the following types of supply kits.
- Snack bags.
- Child hygiene kits.
- Cleaning supplies kits.
- First Aid kits.
- Street Outreach winter kits.
Click here and scroll down to find information about what to include in your kits.
Contact: [email protected].
Donate a Meal
Stepping Stone Emergency Housing
Date/Time: Lunch is served from noon–1 p.m., so please plan to arrive no later than 11:30 a.m. Dinner is served from 4:45–5:45 p.m., so please plan to arrive no later than 4:45 p.m.
Location: 3300 4th Avenue North, Cronin Building #14, Anoka
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
The mission of Stepping Stone Emergency Housing is to provide emergency shelter and critical support services to individuals 18 years old and older experiencing homelessness while striving toward self-sufficiency. We are looking for groups of up to six people to cook a meal off-site in a licensed community kitchen, or you may cook purchased retail foods onsite (must be unopened and labeled) and serve a freshly cooked meal! Meals are needed to serve 60 residents for both lunch and dinner. We are not licensed to cook from scratch, so here are some options:
- Cook a meal off-site in a licensed community kitchen (church, event center).
- Cook purchased retail foods on site, but they must be unopened and labeled (Take and Bake Lasagna, Costco, Simek’s).
- Bring food from a restaurant. (Pizza Ranch in Andover offers a discount if you mention us.)
- Sandwiches can be prepared at the shelter if you bring the fixings.
We provide the plates, utensils, beverages, and clean-up. In the interest of respecting all our residents’ needs, we ask that you refrain from pork products of any kind.
Contact: [email protected], 763.370.5744. Click here to sign up to donate a meal.
Meal Delivery
Open Arms of Minnesota (Background check and Mandatory Vaccination Requirement)
Date/Time(s): Weekdays, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Monday–Wednesday deliveries serve the greater West Metro area and are labeled MPLS. These routes pick up meals at our Minneapolis location.
- Thursday and Friday deliveries serve the greater East Metro area and are labeled STP. These routes pick up meals at our St. Paul location.
Location(s):
- MPLS: 2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis.
- STP: 380 E Lafayette Frontage Rd, St. Paul.
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer. The driver must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
Time Commitment: One to two hours per shift. After you’ve attended a new volunteer orientation or completed our online orientation and completed a background check (driver only), you may sign up to volunteer. There is no minimum time commitment. You can volunteer once, on a regular basis, or as often as you are available.
Volunteer to deliver meals to our clients and help Open Arms bring nourishment to people who need it most. Open Arms delivers homemade food to approximately 1,200 clients every week across the Twin Cities, using healthy ingredients, free of charge. Pick the delivery route that suits you and your family best. Because of Covid, we do drive-up contactless delivery. You drive up, and we load your car. You do not need to exit your vehicle at all. When delivering to the client, we enforce a drop, wait, and wave policy. We do not enter any homes; however, we do enter apartment buildings. Masks are required. We supply masks if needed and hand sanitizer between routes.
Contact: Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Follow this link to get started: https://openarmsmn.volunteerhub.com/.
Meal Prep and Packaging (Kitchen and Bakery)
Open Arms of Minnesota
Date/Time: There are a variety of shifts Monday–Saturday from 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Location(s):
- 2500 Bloomington Ave. S, Minneapolis.
- 380 E. Lafayette Frontage Rd., St. Paul.
Ages: Families with children ages eight years old and older are welcome to volunteer. Click here for more information on age requirements and adult-to-youth ratio.
Time Commitment: Two hours per shift.
Youth are welcome to help us in the kitchen with scooping cookie dough, making Jell-O, and packaging cookies for our clients’ weekly meal deliveries. Submit online applications for each adult and youth interested in volunteering. After attending orientation, you may sign up for kitchen shifts as often as you’d like. Learn more about us at www.openarmsmn.org.
Contact: Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Follow this link to get started: https://openarmsmn.volunteerhub.com/.
Packout for Delivery/Packout for Shipping
Open Arms of Minnesota
Date/Time: There are a variety of shifts available.
Location(s):
- 2500 Bloomington Ave. S, Minneapolis.
- 380 E. Lafayette Frontage Rd., St. Paul.
Ages: Families with children ages eight years old and older are welcome to volunteer. Click here for more information on age requirements and adult-to-youth ratio.
Time Commitment: Two hours per shift.
Youth are welcome to help us in the kitchen with scooping cookie dough, making Jell-O, and packaging cookies for our clients’ weekly meal deliveries. Submit online applications for each adult and youth interested in volunteering. After attending orientation, you may sign up for kitchen shifts as often as you’d like. Learn more about us at www.openarmsmn.org.
Contact: Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Follow this link to get started: https://openarmsmn.volunteerhub.com/.
Grow and Give from your Garden
Every Meal
Date/Time: Produce is accepted June 26–October 10 on Mondays from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m.–noon. Please email our Program Team at [email protected] with a brief donation description to coordinate your drop-off.
Location: 2723 Patton Road, Roseville.
Ages: Everyone can help by donating produce from their home garden.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Every Meal’s Grow & Give Program brings together produce from our garden, community garden partners, and you to expand access to fresh produce. Each week during the summer growing season, the collected vegetables and fruits are distributed to children and families in our community. Your family can help by donating produce from your own garden! Below is a list of our most desired produce, but additional types of produce are welcome.
- Broccoli.
- Cabbage.
- Carrots.
- Cucumbers.
- Eggplant.
- Herbs (mint, cilantro, parsley, basil, etc.).
- Green beans.
- Leafy greens (kale, chard, lettuce, etc.).
- Peppers (spicy and sweet varieties).
- Potatoes.
- Radishes.
- Tomatoes (large and small varieties).
- Squash.
- Zucchini.
Please harvest fruits and vegetables in a safe manner to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. For example, always wash your hands before harvesting and wear clean gloves. Do not harvest if you are sick (coughing, sneezing, have a fever, etc.). If you are ill and worried about your produce spoiling, please ask a friend or neighbor to help harvest. We kindly ask that herbicides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizers not be used in the growing of produce donated. Organic fertilizers and pest control should be used when needed. Do not donate food that is overripe, has mold, bruising, or insect damage Wipe as much dirt/mud off of the produce as possible, but do not rinse. Learn more here.
Contact: [email protected].
Donate a Meal
HOPE 4 Youth
Date/Time: Dinner meal donations need to be received for prep by 4 p.m. or earlier. Our youth dinner service starts at 4:30 p.m.
Location: HOPE 4 Youth Drop-In Center is located at 2665 4th Ave, Suite #40, Anoka.
Ages: All ages can help prepare meals in a licensed kitchen to be dropped off at HOPE 4 Youth. Multiple meals can be prepared in advance and brought in to be kept in our freezer for future meal service.
Time Commitment: Varies by the meal prepared.
Volunteers are needed to provide a meal that can serve 14–16 total youth. Per food safety guidelines, all meals brought into HOPE 4 Youth need to be prepared in a licensed kitchen. There are three options:
- Prepare a meal off-site in a licensed community kitchen (church, school, etc).
- Purchase retail foods and then prepare them on-site. Must be unopened and labeled (ex: take and bake lasagna; retail meal items like Costco or Simek’s; Cub foods deli items). Sandwiches can be prepared and put together on-site if you bring in the ingredients needed.
- Bring in food from a restaurant.
This is a great option for families and a fun team-building opportunity for companies and service organizations. Multiple meals can be prepared in advance and brought in to be kept in our freezer for future meal service.
Contact: Mari Dahlke, [email protected], 763.323.2066 ext. 118
Even More Twin Cities Volunteer Opportunities for Families!
Get Involved with The Family Partnership!
The Family Partnership
Date/Time: Ongoing need. People can leave donations with the front desk Monday through Friday between 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. with a note that they’re to be directed to Harper Wicklund.
Location: Our drop-off location is 1527 E Lake Street, Minneapolis, 55407.
Ages: Everyone can participate.
Time Commitment: Varies, depending on the project.
The mission of The Family Partnership is to build strong families, vital communities, and better futures for children. You and your family can donate to one of these six projects to help The Family Partnership’s clients:
Essential supplies for infants and toddlers of families experiencing deep poverty.
Household care packages to help families keep their homes clean and healthy.
Snack bags for children coming to therapy directly from school.
Play-doh, flubber, or stress balls for the littlest learners to develop finger strength and dexterity.
Personal care packages for teens and women who are healing from sexual exploitation.
Journals for children, pre-teens, and teens accessing mental health programs.
Contact: Harper Wicklund, [email protected]. Please contact Harper prior to starting your project.
Volunteer for Family Pathways Thrift Stores/Food Shelves
Family Pathways
Date/Time: Times will vary depending on the location.
Location: Click here for a map of our thrift store, food shelves, and program locations. We have thrift stores in Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Cambridge, Lindstrom, Wyoming, North Branch, Pine City, and Princeton. Our food shelves are located in Onamia, Sandstone Pine City, Cambridge, North Branch, Forest Lake, Chisago, St Croix Falls, and Frederic, WI.
Ages: Families with children 7 years old and older are welcome. An adult must accompany volunteers 16 years old or younger.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Family Pathways has been committed to standing by the side of our neighbors since 1978. We’ve done this by working together with partners, individuals, businesses, organizations, and faith communities who are passionate about their communities. Over the past four decades, we’ve adapted to the needs of the communities we serve in the City of Forest Lake; Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine Counties in Minnesota and Polk County in Wisconsin. Family Pathways’ support services provide healthy food access, domestic and sexual violence prevention and victim services, supervised visitation, and services for older adults and caregivers.
- Our volunteers help at our food shelves with stocking, cleaning, shopping with clients, and checking food safety. We also have a mobile food truck in Cambridge where volunteers help pack boxes.
- Thrift Store volunteers help with stocking, organizing, putting away clothes, or cleaning. No cashiering or pricing is needed.
- Doorstep Delivery and Sunshine Calls volunteers help pick up food at the food shelves and deliver it to our clients. Sunshine Calls volunteers also call our clients and check in on them.
- Shelter volunteers help with lawn care service or baking cookies/donations for the clients.
- Remote Opportunities include making birthday bags, kindness cards, or running a food and fund drive.
Contact: Fill out an application at www.familypathways.org/volunteer or contact v[email protected] with questions.
Hygiene Kits Needed!
Agate Housing and Services (formerly St. Stephen’s/House of Charity)
Date/Time: Ongoing need.
Location: To drop off items, reach out to Abigail Abele at 612.715.0449 (text or call) or by email at [email protected].
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Agate is totally out of hygiene kits and they need your help to ensure our neighbors have supplies to stay healthy! Your family can help support participants of our shelters, street outreach, free public showers, and supportive housing programs by providing them with the essential personal care items they need. Assembling kits and packs is a great way to engage your family in caring for our community. Volunteers purchase materials, assemble kits, and drop them off at our main office by appointment. Here’s what you need to create hygiene kits:
Choose four to five of the first-priority items and then include however many second-priority items you would like.
First priority items:
- Bar soap.
- Shampoo (all accepted but shampoo options for textured/curly hair is our highest need).
- Conditioner (all accepted but shampoo options for textured/curly hair is our highest need).
- Toothpaste and toothbrush.
- Deodorant.
- Razor and shaving cream.
- Lotion.
- Body wash.
Second priority items:
- Shower shoes.
- Non-alcohol-based mouthwash.
- Washcloth.
- Comb or brush.
All products included in hygiene kits must be new and unopened. If you would like to add any notecards/messages, or items that are not listed above, you must text/call/or email Abby (contact information below) to ensure that the Donation Center is able to accept them. We also accept and greatly appreciate individual donations of each of these listed items. Don’t have the time to assemble kits? You can check out our Amazon wishlist and have the supplies shipped directly to Agate.
Contact: Abigail Abele (Volunteer and In-kind Coordinator) at [email protected] or 612.715.0449 with any questions, or to schedule a drop-off directly.
Making Fleece Blankets for Kids
My Very Own Bed
Date/Time: We ask all volunteers to schedule a drop-off time in advance. Please email [email protected] to schedule. Drop-off times are generally available Monday–Thursday from 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: Please meet us at our office, 34 13th Ave NE, Suite 106, Minneapolis. It’s easiest to meet us on the north side of the parking lot, where you can see the My Very Own Bed truck parked. Please ring our doorbell. We will meet you outside to receive the donations. We would also love to give you a brief tour of our operation space if you are interested.
Ages: Perfect for families with children five years old and older.
Time Commitment: Varies; typically about three hours.
My Very Own Bed’s mission is to provide new beds and linens to children of families that have recently secured stable housing. The beds provide a comfortable space for each child to sleep well and dream big. Each bed comes with bedding including a warm twin-sized blanket, which is often a fleece-tie blanket made by volunteers. Fleece blankets are a great way to make sure a child’s bedding matches their interests. To make a blanket for a Twin Cities kid, follow these instructions provided by My Very Own Bed. This project can be completed from the comfort of your own home and is a great option for larger groups that would like to volunteer!
Contact: For more information contact [email protected]
Donate Children’s Clothing by Mail
Giving Factory Direct by Cradles to Crayons
Date/Time: Year-round.
Location: Virtual.
Ages: Everyone can participate.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Giving Factory Direct matches you with a child experiencing clothing insecurity. You will be provided with a pre-paid UPS shipping label so you can ship clothing directly to a child who needs it.
How it works: Create an account to let us know what size and gender of clothing you’d like to give, and you will be matched with a child at one of our verified nonprofit partners. Giving Factory Direct serves children ages 0–12 years old living in homeless or low-income situations and accepts new or gently-used clothing in sizes newborn to adult medium.
When donating, please use Group Code DGT2023. All KidPacks must be seasonally appropriate and include:
- Sizes 0–24 months: 2-4 tops/onesies, 2-4 bottoms, 1 pair of pajamas, 1 sweater/sweatshirt.
- Sizes 2T–18/20: 2-4 tops, 2 bottoms, 1 sweater/sweatshirt.
Contact: Email [email protected] with any questions, and register online today!
Food Packing
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)
Date/Time: Multiple dates and times, see website for details.
Location: FMSC has Minnesota packing locations in Chanhassen, Coon Rapids, Eagan, and MobilePack events across the state.
Ages: Families with children as young as five years old may participate.
Time Commitment: Two–hour shifts.
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian nonprofit that provides nutritionally complete meals that are specifically formulated for malnourished children. FMSC offers volunteers a one-of-a-kind experience. Volunteers hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags, which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets, and shipped to partners around the world working hard to reach the neediest children. Through volunteering at FMSC, volunteers get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference, today.
Contact: Registration is available online. For questions about volunteering or registering to volunteer, please refer to the FAQ page. If you have questions that are not addressed on the website or FAQ page, please contact the following: general inquiries at [email protected], or 763.504.2919. For volunteer and registration questions, [email protected] or 763.951.7306.
Cook for Kids
Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
- Lunch: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Served at noon.
- Dinner: 4–6 p.m. Served at 5 p.m.
Location: 4544 4th Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Ages: Volunteers must be 12 years old or older. Volunteers who are 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older.
Time Commitment: Two to two and a half hours, including prep and clean-up of both kitchen and dining room.
We help strengthen families by connecting them to resources, caring for their children during difficult times, and setting goals that promote stability and make the relationship between the parent and child stronger. As a trusted resource for families, the Nursery focuses on prevention by offering free, voluntary services for parents who face barriers such as unemployment, homelessness, medical or mental health concerns, poverty, domestic violence, or other difficult situations. Cook for Kids is a great opportunity to spend a couple of hours giving back to the community. Individuals and groups of up to six volunteers cook on site and serve a meal and a snack to the children at the Crisis Nursery. Click here to learn more.
Contact: Keith Johnson, Food Service and Volunteer Services Coordinator, [email protected].
This list was compiled by Doing Good Together™ (www.doinggoodtogether.org).
When calling or emailing to volunteer for any of the Twin Cities volunteer opportunities listed above, please let the coordinator know you found it through this listing. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have of the sponsoring organization before committing to a project.
Disclaimer: This list is provided as a service to families. Inclusion of organizations in this listing does not imply affiliation, endorsement, or quality assurance on the part of Doing Good Together™. Doing Good Together™ bears no responsibility whatsoever for the activities and actions of the listed organizations.
Visit Doing Good Together for more ideas, Twin Cities volunteer opportunities and activities.
