Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

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.

Looking to work more with your hands? Then join us as a Garden & Landscape volunteer, and help us plant, grow and harvest fruits and vegetables in our very own garden! You will work alongside and teach the kids from our Early Learning Center all about the joys of gardening. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to help revitalize and maintain our playground and outdoor areas by mulching, weeding, and cleaning. This role is perfect for individuals or groups who can visit us at least once a week during the spring and summer months. If you are interested in gardening, willing to get dirty and enjoy working outdoors regardless of the weather, we want you! Gardening experience and knowledge is preferred but not required.

Calling all budding photographers! Are you looking to add to your portfolio while doing your part for the community? We are seeking a volunteer photographer to capture photos of our community center, food shelf, clothing closet, child care center, Retired Men’s Club, Magnificent Golden Agers, and other senior programs and activities and events hosted at the center. Your images will be shared on HQB publications, social media and on our website to help tell our story, raise funds and reach out to even more members of our community. Volunteer hours are flexible, depending on project needs. 

Are you interested in historical preservation, American history, cultural studies and urban planning? We have an exciting opportunity for you! Hallie Q. Brown Community Center was set up in 1929, and it has grown with and supported the community in important ways every day. We are looking for volunteers to develop and grow our Historical Archive and the preservation efforts around the photographs and documents of the historic Rondo neighborhood. You will have the important task of making sure our history and our roots are never forgotten, by helping to digitize old photographs, compile metadata and other organizational needs Our in-house archivists will train and supervise volunteers on protocol and techniques.

Every day, our clothing closet provides many of our clients with the clothing and household items that they need. With your help, we can make their experience with us a smooth and positive one! Volunteers will greet and assist clients with their shopping; accept and conducting inventory on donated items; sort, fold and display clothing donations; and track household items as needed. We are looking for volunteers able to lift at least 15lbs, with great verbal communication skills and customer service. Interest in fashion/retail is an asset. We would prefer a minimum 3-6-month commitment, and we have opportunities available on weekdays during our business hours of 9am-5pm.