Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

Sort through donated produce and canned goods to determine if food is still useable. Tasks include checking dates, sorting things by like items, and moving items in our warehouse. Available shifts include: Tuesdays, 8am-12pm, Wednesdays, 7:30am-12pm and 8am-12pm, and Thursdays, 8am-12pm.

Food Shelf Stocker: Primary job is to keep the food shelves stocked and tidy. Throughout the shift you'll be walking around the store checking shelves for lack of food (dry and produce) and hygiene products. Then stocking the shelves with product. Available shifts: Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30AM-12:30PM and 12:30PM-3PM, Tuesdays 12PM-2:30PM and 2:30PM-5, Thursdays 12PM-2PM and 2PM-4:30PM

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.

The intake volunteer check in clients, answer the phones and schedules appointments. These volunteers will help create an inviting and pleasant work environment and welcome clients to the food shelf. SACA’s office hours are weekly Monday 9am-4:00pm, Tuesday 8am-4:00pm, Wednesday 10am - 6:00pm and Thursday 8am - 3:00pm. We currently have the greatest need for Spanish Speaking intake volunteers on Monday mornings, Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, and Thursday mornings. Ideally, administrative volunteers would make a weekly or bi-weekly commitment.

Duties/Responsibilities:
* Telephone coverage to make client appointments
* Filing, data entry, copying, scanning
* Assists with welcoming and sign-in food market clients
* Greeting visitors who are donating or visiting SACA
* If volunteer is bilingual: assist staff to effectively and efficiently serve the non-English speaking clients by translating. (We currently have need of Spanish speaking volunteers).
* Performs duties requiring the giving or receiving of information.
* Interact with clients in a friendly and professional manner

Qualifications/requirements:
* Must have a professional manner and strong communication skills both in person and on the phone
* Good organizational skills
* Ability to respect and maintain confidential information
* Able to read and write in English; the ability to speak Spanish is desirable.
* Ability to follow instructions
* Computer skills or willingness to learn.
* Cooperative attitude

Every Thursday we have a seniors community luncheon that brings in adults, 65 and over, to enjoy a healthy and hearty meal and each other's company.  We need volunteers who can help from 11 - 2pm on Thursdays to come together, make lunch, and share it while listening to stories of the Saint Paul that once was.  

Serve meals to Minnesotans living with HIV! The Aliveness Project's kitchen in South Minneapolis serves a hot meal every weekday from 12pm-3pm. You can volunteer weekly, every-other week, or as an occasional fill-in volunteer. Cooking skills not required. Volunteers primarily greet members, serve food, wipe down the tables, and help with dishes.

A bonus is that we feed you! Volunteers are an important part of Aliveness and fully invited to eat with the community. The food is all made in-house from scratch.

Volunteers are vital to the success of our day-to-day programs and it’s a great way to make connections in the community. The Food Shelf is based on a shopping model that allows Aliveness members to choose groceries based on individual dietary needs and preferences. Members can shop for up to 60 pounds of groceries with each visit, including meat, dairy, and fresh produce. 

Volunteers work with staff and members to stock shelves, unload donation deliveries, weigh carts and load member's carts..

Collect spices to donate to the Brian Coyle Center food shelf in Cedar Riverside or the Waite House food shelf in the Phillips neighborhood.

Our Waite House neighbors have told us they wish they could get cumin, cloves, onion, garlic, cilantro, oregano, and mint to prepare nutritious and delicious food for their families. Our Brian Coyle neighbors cook with:  salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin seed, curry powder, turmeric. 

Food that tastes "like home" nourishes the body and the soul.

Join us as a volunteer at Open Farms! No matter your experience level, we would love your help growing delicious organic produce to nourish our neighbors. Volunteers can expect to take part in all aspects of work on our urban farms. This includes composting, forming beds, seeding crops, planting seedlings, mulching, weeding, and harvesting. Work varies based on the time of year.

Farm shifts are 2 hours long, and locations/times vary each day. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Bring what you need to be comfortable working outdoors (hat, sunscreen, snack.) Bring your own water bottle. We provide clean cloves and tools. 

Locations: 

1. Apply online by creating a Volunteer Hub profile

2. Sign up for and attend a New Volunteer Orientation

3. Use your online Volunteer Hub account to view and sign up for open shifts that work with your schedule!

For farm specific questions, contact our Farm Manager Kelly Wilson at kellyw@openarmsmn.org

Fluent Spanish speakers are needed to help interpret for Spanish-speaking clients which currently represent a majority of our client base. 

Specific tasks include:

--greeting;

--helping new clients fill out registration forms;

--directing new clients through the process of receiving food. 

Volunteers shifts are from 9:30am  to 12:30pm or 12:30pm to 3:00pm.  The majority of our clients arrive during the morning shift, but numbers are increasing in the afternoon as well.

For anyone interested in working with the Minnehaha Food Shelf, please contact Board Chair Sara Olson at fargo1947@comcast.net or Board Member  Louise Robinson at larobinson303@gmail.com.

The Minnehaha Food Shelf has experienced tremendous growth in our client base.  We need additional volunteers to help support our greeting and food distribution activities.

Specific tasks include:

--greeting the clients;

--assisting with registration;

--directing clients through the food distribution process;

--re-stocking available food items. 

There are two shifts for these tasks every Tuesday, from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 12:30 to 3:00pm.

For anyone interested in working with the Minnehaha Food Shelf, please contact Board Chair Sara Olson at fargo1947@comcast.net or Board Member  Louise Robinson at larobinson303@gmail.com.

Donate groceries and other items for our homeless youth shelters and transitional housing programs. Find specific items needed at www.lssmn.org/get-involved/volunteer/opportunities/metro-youth-groceries.

Because we have instituted no contact delivery procedures, please contact us before you visit to learn about the process and let us know you will be coming. 

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

Check out additional opportunities at www.lssmn.org/helpneighbors.

Partner with us to provide food for those in need by preparing food that is distributed for use at congregate sites and schools. Meals are prepared at the Center for Changing Lives, 2400 Park Avenue, South Minneapolis. Precautions are taken to protect both volunteers and people receiving food.

We will accommodate your schedule. There are opportunities available on most days of the week. Thank you for your support and partnership!

Please contact Mary Lundquist at 612.321.1967.

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!

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.

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”!

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