Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

Donate groceries and other items for Lutheran Social Service (LSS) Metro Homeless Youth emergency shelter and transitional housing programs for youth experiencing homelessness. Find specific items needed at www.lssmn.org/get-involved/volunteer/opportunities/metro-youth-groceries. Some of the common items needed are currently things like:

In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, we have instituted a no contact drop of procedure. Please contact us before you visit to learn more about our programs, the process and to schedule a drop off time.  

Please email MetroHomelessYouth@lssmn.org to coordinate your donation and with any questions. Thank you for your support!

Life Haven provides short term transitional housing to teen moms (ages 16-17) who are experiencing homelessness and their children. The program provides a friendly, safe place where young moms can move out of survival mode and begin to work on a plan that will lead them toward stability for themselves and  their  children. 

Meals are needed that can feed 6 adults for brunch and contains a  main dish,  a side dish, and some kind of veggies.  Milk or juice, fruit, and dessert are also much appreciated.

Examples: 

Home made french toast with eggs and fruit

All the fixings for breakfast tacos

Quiche or frittata with fruit on the side

Meals are needed that are completely prepared when dropped off with only re-heating necessary. 

Thank you for your interest in helping provide nutritious food for teen moms and their children. 

In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, we have established "no contact" drop off procedures. 

Please contact MetroHomelessYouth@lssmn.org for more information or be placed on our meal donation schedule.  Thank you for your generosity during these challenging times.    

Volunteers are needed to prepare dinners for youth (ages 16-20) staying at our Lutheran Social Service (LSS) Metro Homeless Youth SafeHouse Emergency shelter in Saint Paul. At SafeHouse staff and youth work one on one to create individualized plans towards stability, independence, and a bright future.

We are currently in need of donations of meals prepared off- site and then delivered to Safe House for the month of September and onward. This is a great opportunity to involve the whole family and to teach children about meal planning, nutrition and giving back to others. 

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, we have established a "no contact" drop off procedure.  Please contact MetroHomelessYouth@lssmn.org for more information and to sign up for a meal date.  Thank you for your generosity during these challenging times!

Answering the phones and greeting clients: We will provide training and scripts for this role. This volunteer will be stationed at the desk and responsible for answering the phone, taking client information needed to make appointments and making appointments.  This volunteer will also be the first face people see and interact with as they come for appointments. Staff will be present for all volunteer shifts. Please note, we have instituted socially distant an and safety precautions in response to COVID 19. 

Shifts are as follows:

Monday and Tuesday: 9-12, 12-2:30, 2:30-5:00

Thursday: 11-2:00, 2-5:00

Saturday: 9-11:30, 11:30-2

Volunteers will greet clients and answer any questions about current inventory, assist with finding products, and provide a friendly shopping experience.  As clients finish shopping, volunteers will assist with bagging groceries, and helping out to car if needed. Volunteer will also assist in restocking as needed. Staff will be present for all volunteer shifts. Please note, we have instituted socially distant and safety precautions in response to COVID 19.

Shifts are as follows: 

Monday and Tuesday: 9-12, 12-2:30, 2:30-5:00

Thursday: 11-2:00, 2-5:00

Saturday: 9-11:30, 11:30-2

Do you love meeting new people and helping others with their questions? If your answer is a resounding “Yes!”, we want you as our friendly Food Shelf front desk volunteer! You will be the first point of contact for any caller to Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. In addition to greeting visitors, you will help to explain and answer questions about our center’s Food Shelf program; manage phone calls and take messages as needed; assist our center’s staff with administrative tasks when requested. We are looking for volunteers with good written and verbal communication skills and a great personality. Knowledge of computers, adaptive technology, and software are assets but not required.

Our food shelf is an important service that our center provides to the community, and you can be part of an amazing team that makes a real difference to many of our clients. As a food shelf shopping assistant volunteer, you will help to welcome clients, check them in and connect them with shoppers; answer phone calls, take messages and schedule phone calls; and receive and unload deliveries, track inventory, and stock shelves. This is a great opportunity for those keen to volunteer in groups as well. We are looking for volunteers able to lift at least 15lbs; comfortable working outdoors; and with excellent verbal and written communication skills and customer service. We would prefer a minimum 3-6-month commitment, and we have opportunities available on weekdays during our business hours of 9am-5pm.

Aging Services is looking for volunteers to help older adults remain living in their home. Our doorstep volunteers help pick up food from our food shelves and deliver it to our clients homes.

- gas mileage reimbursement

- need to have a larger vehicle for deliveries

- need to lift up to 40lbs

Aging Services cover the following counties: Chisago/Isanti, Kanabec, Pine and Mille Lacs. 

Right now the need is in our Cambridge, Upper Pine area. We are looking at expanding into the Wisconsin area. If interested please complete the application online at our website. www.familypathways.org/volunteer or contact Volunteer Manager Brooke Zank at 651-674-8040 or brookez@familypathways.org

Family Pathways programs are supported, in part, by the Federal Older Americans Act via contract with Central Minnesota Council on Aging under an Area Plan approved by the MN Board on Aging; by Minnesota Department of Human Services, local donors, cost share contributions, and our Family Pathways Thrift Stores.

CEAP Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious, lunch-time meals for 450 seniors and individuals in 9 cities who are not able to prepare meals or leave their homes. Our Meals on Wheels neighbors are active participants in a collective effort to grow a more equitable, healthy, and joyful community through access to food, while enjoying the comfort and safety of their own homes. Shifts are available Monday-Friday with each shift beginning at 10:30am and ending around noon. Visit www.ceap.org/get-involved/ to fill out our volunteer interest form, or contact mealsonwheels@ceap.com or (763) 450-3678 for more information.

Drivers ensure that our neighbors receive their hot, nutritious meals on time. When our drivers deliver meals, they also deliver safety checks and friendship! This service is vital for our homebound neighbors and community members who are unable to prepare meals for themselves.

CEAP Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious, lunch-time meals for 450 seniors and individuals in 9 cities who are not able to prepare meals or leave their homes. Our Meals on Wheels neighbors are active participants in a collective effort to grow a more equitable, healthy, and joyful community through access to food, while enjoying the comfort and safety of their own homes. Shifts are available Monday-Friday with each shift beginning at 8:30am and ending around 10:30am. Visit www.ceap.org/get-involved/ to fill out our volunteer interest form, or contact mealsonwheels@ceap.com or (763) 450-3678 for more information.

Kitchen Assistants help the CEAP Meals on Wheels team ensure that meals are labeled correctly and packed appropriately in clean carriers. This includes the packing of beverages, sides, and meals into the delivery bags. This position completes paperwork and bag labels. This position requires standing, light lifting and some twisting. We can accommodate to individual needs, as necessary.

CEAP Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious, lunch-time meals for 450 seniors and individuals in 9 cities who are not able to prepare meals or leave their homes. Our Meals on Wheels neighbors are active participants in a collective effort to grow a more equitable, healthy, and joyful community through access to food, while enjoying the comfort and safety of their own homes. Shifts are available Monday-Friday with each shift beginning at 12:30pm and ending at 2pm. Visit www.ceap.org/get-involved/ to fill out our volunteer interest form, or contact mealsonwheels@ceap.com or (763) 450-3678 for more information.

 Meal Packers help the CEAP Meals on Wheels team pack frozen nutritious meals, beverages, and sides to share with our homebound neighbors who benefit most from receiving a weekly frozen meal delivery. This position requires moderate lifting and bending. We can accommodate to individual needs, as necessary.

CEAP's Food Market nourishes our neighbors with curated, healthy food. We share nearly 2 million pounds of food with our neighbors each year!

Food Market Team Members assist with projects like packing grocery orders, sorting food donations, and providing curbside service to participants.

Every year, Catholic Charities serves over one million healthy meals and snacks and provides supplies to nearly 20,000 people most in need in our community. At the Catholic Charities Distribution Center (CCDC), we receive large donations of food and other new and unused clothing and household, personal care and supplies that are distributed to our client programs and 11 food service sites throughout the Twin Cities. 

We welcome you to sign up using our volunteer portal and look for St Paul Distribution Ctr Sort & Prep.

Position Overview: The Event Volunteer is a volunteer position that represents Basic Needs Thrift Shop at community events in order to spread awareness of the shop, its mission, and opportunities to be involved.

Key Responsibilities:

Impact of Role: Representing Basic Needs Thrift Shop at events helps spread the word about the shop, its mission, and its ongoing needs. Nearly 50% of all proceeds are donated back into the community, so your work supports a variety of local causes in addition to connecting customers to quality, inexpensive clothing and household items.

Support: The Event Volunteer will report to and be supported by the Volunteer Coordinator.

Schedule and Commitment: Volunteers are asked to commit to a shift during the event. Shift times will vary depending on the event but are typically 2-4 hours. Most events take place in South St. Paul and the surrounding community. Most events occur on evenings and weekends.

Skills and Qualifications:

Benefit to Volunteer:

Does this sound like a good fit? Contact the Basic Needs Thrift Shop Volunteer Coordinator, Sofia Brown, at (651) 458-9786  or volunteermgr@basicneedsmn.org to learn more or submit an application.

Help prep or hand out groceries at our weekly food shelf

The White Bear Area Food Shelf is looking for volunteers to assist with the setup and distribution of our daily Community Market for neighbors to have an in-person shopping experience.  There are 4 different volunteer opportunities:

Contact Carol at carol@whitebearfoodshelf.org or 651-433-7286 to signup or for more information.

Soup For You, a community soup café located in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, is looking for welcoming, friendly, compassionate people to assist with food preparation, dining room preparation and serving our guests a hearty lunch. Opportunities are available any day M-F between the hours of 10:30am – 2pm. Visit https://soupforyou.info/volunteer for more information. Join us as we fulfill our mission of “feed, nourish and comfort”!

PRISM is excited to offer a new volunteer opportunity! The Food Shelf Check-in volunteer is the first point of contact for those visiting the food shelf. This volunteer schedules walk-in appointments for our visitors, helps identify participants' specific needs, and works in tandem with our staff to facilitate traffic flow in our facility. Primary responsibilities include the following:

- Greet participants, volunteers, and visitors in a warm, friendly and welcoming manner
- Directly serve participants with check-in at the Marketplace Food Shelf
- Work in tandem with Case Manager to discern participant needs, incl. intake for first-time visitors, clothing vouchers, resources or other services.
- Stay informed of changes to PRISM’s processes, services, and inventory in the Marketplace Food Shelf
- Manage/create appointment calendar using Google Calendar
- Maintain ongoing communications with staff via Microsoft Teams to address specific participant questions/concerns.
- Other duties as assigned

We would greatly benefit from volunteers who possess the following skillset:

- Effective interpersonal skills under all types of conditions, exhibiting a supportive, direct, and positive approach with participants, staff and other volunteers
- Ability to work with diverse populations with the demonstrated ability to communicate and relate effectively to a wide variety of individuals
- Ability to learn and acquire overall knowledge of PRISM, its services and staff, and other social service agencies
- Volunteers with experience in retail and/or direct customer service do particularly well here

Bilingual abilities are a huge plus in this role but not a requirement. We would greatly benefit from Russian, Spanish speaking volunteers in this role.

If interested, please reach out to Colette Illarde, Volunteer Manager, at 763-432-4230. We are grateful for your time and consideration! An orientation and training will be provided to all routine, ongoing volunteers.

SACA's thrift store provides clothing and household essentials at an affordable price to the community. SACA’s thrift store is 100% run by volunteers, which means that 100% of thrift store purchases go towards feeding the community.

Duties/Responsibilities:
* Assist customers by offering quality customer service
* Financial controls; handling money and processing cash and card transactions
* Stock new product
* Maintain the store's physical appearance
* Sort through donations to verify that items received are good condition
* Give receipts to and collect information from people donating products

Qualifications/Requirements:
* Good customer service skills
* Ability to do basic arithmetic and perform sales transactions
* Some light to moderate lifting
* Ability to stand and bend
* Some stocking experience helpful but not necessary
* Ability to respect and maintain personal boundaries and client confidentiality
* Spanish speaking ability is helpful but not required

Take a tour of the community in SACA’s 14’ Box Truck while you pick up and deliver food rescue from our store partners (Cub, Target, Trader Joes and more). Ideally you would be able to lift 40 pounds. We have shifts available Monday - Thursday 6:00am to 10:30am.

Duties:

Food insecurity is a crisis in our community and it has been accelerated by cost of living increases. An incredible 1 in 8 of our neighbors are in danger of going hungry. SACA needs weekly volunteers to help support our neighbors who depend on these services. Your dedication of time means the world to us and to the people we serve. We are in need of weekly volunteers Monday to Thursday who can commit to 2-4 hours to help in the food market, warehouse, thrift story and intake.

SACA Food Shelf gives out groceries to residents who face food insecurity and who need help stretching their tight food budgets at home. Food is distributed weekly Monday 9am-4:00pm, Tuesday 8am - 4:00pm, Wednesday 10am - 6:00pm and Thursday 8am - 3:00pm.

Food market volunteers provide basic support services, including stocking shelves and helping clients shop for food, clean up, and other tasks required for service. Volunteers may assist one day or make a regular commitment depending on their schedule. Special opportunities for translation are needed, especially for Spanish speakers.

Duties/Responsibilities:
● Help stock pantry shelves
● Help clients shop in the food market
● At times, prepare food boxes for distribution to clients
● Maintains inventory
● Assists with welcoming and sign-in food pantry clients
● Monitors area to maintain order and a clean and safe environment
● Assists with cleaning and organizing

Qualifications/Requirements:
● Customer service orientation
● Some light to moderate lifting, although not necessary for all roles
● Ability to stand and bend
● Some stocking experience helpful but not necessary
● Ability to respect and maintain personal boundaries and client confidentiality

Volunteer Job Description - Driver

PRISM seeks to be a leader in creating meaningful and impactful volunteer experiences for community members. Our ability to best serve the community is hinged on our capacity to physically do the work, as well as having the trust and involvement of community stakeholders.

Volunteers are key components in PRISM’s mission of providing social services and connections that empower people in our community to build healthy, stable lives, and our vision to lead in providing innovative and dignified services that foster resilient individuals and a healthier, more sustainable community.

Volunteer Duties and Requirements

We have a big need for ongoing Food Rescue Drivers! Using PRISM’s vehicle, the Driver drives to specific retail stores in the west metropolitan area to pick up donated food. This role is critical in assuring our participants receive high-quality food when visiting our Marketplace Food Shelf, and that food being discarded by local supermarket chains is distributed to our households. Volunteer drivers supporting the Marketplace Food Shelf will perform a variety of duties including:

Knowledge, Skills, Education, Experience:

If you are interested in this opportunity, please reach out to Colette Illarde, Volunteer Manager, at 763-432-4230 or colette@prismmpls.org

Pre-COVID, the Marketplace Food Shelf utilized a “choice” model, meaning the participants were free to shop just as they do in a traditional grocery store by choosing exactly the food they need from the shelves within Food Shelf guidelines. Our current service delivery system is to ensure the safety and comfort of staff, volunteers, and participants, while serving participants at a larger volume and more frequently. Volunteers working in the Marketplace Food Shelf will perform a variety of duties including:

- Accept donations from the public, offer and provide the donor with a receipt if requested.

- Serve our participants with check-in/out (currently put on hold because of our current model due to COVID-19)

- Review and sort food donations for packaging issues and expiration dates compared to PRISM guidelines

- Review and sort through perishable items to ensure they are of good quality for our participants

- Assemble and prepare nonperishable boxes, ranging from 35-40 lbs.

- Stock assembly-line shelves with purchased and donated products

- Break down unneeded packaging and expired food for trash, recycling, and compost. Disposing of items as needed.

- Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work environment.

- Notify Marketplace Food Shelf staff, or a tenured volunteer, of any questions or any identified needs in the food shelf.

- Other duties as assigned

Please apply to be a NorthPoint Inc volunteer at https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=335122860

 Assignments: 
Volunteers will be assigned to packing boxes of dry food, bagging produce, receiving and stocking donations and purchased food deliveries.  NorthPoint staff will have direct contact with guests (not volunteers) to register and receive food. When you arrive for your shift, please use the entry door of the Food Shelf, enter, to record your time sign in utilizing the kiosk, check in with designated supervisor and wash your hands in the breakroom or hand washing sink.  Please remember to sign out at the end of your shift.  Our Food Shelf Supervisor will provide you with training at your first shift as well. 
  

Health and Safety around COVID-19: 

Please take all necessary precautions if you are health compromised or caring for someone with compromised health.  Please do not volunteer if you or anyone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19. 

  
Please do not volunteer if you are sick or anyone in your household is sick or experiencing any of the following symptoms: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Chills, Headache, Muscle pain, Sore throat, New loss of taste or smell 

This list is subject to change to reflect the current public health recommendations.  For more information, see the Minnesota Department of Health website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html 
 

Required face coverings:  

All staff and volunteers are encouraged to wear face coverings that cover both mouth and nose and are secure with ear loops.  NorthPoint will provide disposable masks and gloves during yours shift.  
  

How to Dress and What to Bring: 
Please wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet from boxes and pallets.  No sandals please.  Please dress modestly with shorts that come to the knee or long pants and short or long sleeves.  There will be bottled drinking water on site but you are also encouraged to bring your own reusable water bottle.  Hand sanitizer and disposable masks will be available throughout the building.  
  
Directions and Parking: 

Free ramp parking is suggested and available across the street from the main campus at:

1256 Penn Avenue North.  Parking entrance is located via Oliver Avenue North.

Jamiela Taylor | Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

jtaylor@npimn.org; 612-767-0324 phone/text 

Food Shelf Aide

Come help our neighbors with their food needs! We are looking for 4-6 volunteers per weekly shift, Monday through Thursday, 8:30am-12:30pm and 12:30pm-4:30pm to work with our food shelf staff. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older. We ask volunteers to commit to a 4-hour-a-week shift for a minimum of two months.

All volunteers must be pre-registered with a volunteer application https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=335122860&OR=1 and be scheduled through Sally Newbury at snewbury@npimn.org. People of color and/or bilingual language talents are strongly encouraged to apply.

Youth who are 14, 15, 16 and 17 years old can volunteer with us with some of our public events and with our food shelf. We require prior parental written permission that applicant will receive after completing the volunteer application. The 14 and 15 year old youth can volunteer when accompanied by their parent or guardian. The 16 and 17 year old youth can volunteer by themselves with our Food Shelf.

Forms to review/sign prior to volunteering at NorthPoint will be sent to you once your application is received and include: 1) Volunteer Requirements and 2) Civil Rights Checklist

Please take all necessary precautions if you are health compromised or caring for someone with compromised health. We ask you NOT to volunteer if you or anyone in your household ill or has tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Volunteers must consider this self-assessment:

Please do not volunteer if you are sick or experiencing any of the following symptoms:

* Fever

* Cough

* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

* Chills

* Headache

* Muscle pain

* Sore throat

* New loss of taste or smell

This list is subject to change to reflect the current public health recommendations. For more information, see the Minnesota Department of Health website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

Face coverings

All staff and volunteers are encouraged to wear face coverings that cover both mouth and nose and are secure with ear loops. NorthPoint will provide disposable masks and gloves during yours shift.

Assignments

Volunteers will be assigned to packing boxes of dry food, bagging produce, receiving and stocking donations and purchased food deliveries. NorthPoint staff will have direct contact with customers (not volunteers) to register and receive food.

When you arrive for your shift, please use the back door of the Food Shelf to enter and wash your hands in the breakroom or bathroom. Please sign in to utilizing the kiosk in the hydration room to record your time in and please remember to sign out at the end of your shift too. Report to the Food Shelf staff for your assignment.

How to Dress and What to Bring

Please wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet from boxes and pallets. No sandals please. Please dress modestly with shorts that come to the knee or long pants and short or long sleeves. We ask volunteers to come with their own cloth-mask on their face and you may swap it for a NorthPoint disposable mask once you arrive. There will be bottled drinking water on site but you are also encouraged to bring your own reusable water bottle. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the site.

Directions and Parking

The NorthPoint Health Food Shelf is located at 1835 Penn Avenue North in Minneapolis on the corner of Penn and Golden Valley Road. Please use on-street parking for your vehicle. We save the parking lot on the south side of the building for customers.

Any questions, please contact Jamiela Taylor at jtaylor@npimn.org or 612-767-0324 text/call.