Opportunities From: Volunteer Iowa

The best part of the holiday season is giving—and what better way to give than by keeping your community warm and happy? As a Hot Chocolate Maker, you’ll be behind the scenes at A Merry Millwork Market, crafting the rich, comforting cocoa that keeps visitors smiling and spirits bright.

You’ll mix and prepare big batches of hot chocolate, help keep the concession stand stocked, and make sure there’s always a warm cup ready for someone to enjoy. Two of you will be stirring up the next batch downstairs, while one volunteer acts as the “runner,” delivering the fresh cocoa upstairs to the booth and lending a hand where needed. It’s a perfect fit for anyone who loves a good rhythm—stirring, pouring, tasting, and sharing in the satisfaction of teamwork that makes everything run seamlessly. You’ll get to see how small, simple actions—like handing off a freshly filled dispenser—add up to something that warms hundreds of hearts throughout the evening.

If you love the behind-the-scenes magic of the holidays, this is your chance to play a sweet (and chocolatey) part in it.

Please arrive at the Courtyard Entrance Welcome Booth, midway between Jackson and Washington Streets on 10th Street, at the start of your shift. This is where you’ll check in, meet your team, and get any materials or instructions from the Volunteer Manager, Theresa, before your shift begins.

Packagers play a hands-on role in the fight against hunger by assembling nutritious meals at the Patty Cownie Packaging Center in West Des Moines. Volunteers work together at stations to fill, weigh, seal, and box non-perishable meal bags during a two-hour shift.

Each Packager helps produce approximately 540 meals per shift, feeding two children for an entire year. This impactful opportunity supports Meals from the Heartland’s mission to alleviate hunger both locally and globally.

To see all of our shifts to sign up for shifts- follow this LINK. 

Role Responsibilities:

Arrive 10 minutes early and check in with staff

Attend a brief orientation at the start of the shift

Follow all sanitization and safety protocols

Work collaboratively in assigned station roles

Stay focused and meet packaging quality standards

Treat fellow volunteers and staff with respect

Stay through the full shift and assist with cleanup

Attire Requirements:

Wear closed-toed shoes

Remove all jewelry before packaging

Tie back long hair and fully tuck into a hairnet

Corporate groups are encouraged to wear branded apparel

Volunteer Waiver Notice:
By volunteering with Meals from the Heartland, you acknowledge and accept our waiver of liability. Participation is voluntary, and Meals from the Heartland is not liable for any injuries or incidents that may occur during your service. Your registration confirms this understanding

Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement (CIRA) helps immigrants & refugees from around the world integrate into Nebraska's vibrant community. As the temperature drops, your support becomes a vital source of warmth for the families we serve.

Your donation will not only offer physical warmth, but also symbolize a compassionate embrace from the Omaha and Lincoln community. Join us in ensuring that every newcomer feels the warmth and support they need during this chilly season. Your generosity will help create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

WHAT TO DONATE

We are accepting new or gently used:

WHERE TO DONATE

Items can be dropped off at the following locations:

CIRA-Omaha Office

4223 Center St.

Omaha, NE 68105

CIRA- Lincoln Office

121 S. 13th Street Suite 301

Lincoln, NE 68508

Please contact Ali Ostrowski, Volunteer & Donor Relations Coordinator , at aostrowski@ciraconnect.org

Siena Francis House welcomes and empowers individuals experiencing homelessness in the Omaha metro area. We provide essential items and services that help our guests maintain dignity and comfort through our Emergency Shelter, supportive housing, chemical addiction recovery program, and street outreach efforts. Last year alone, we served more than 3,000 individuals! As the weather gets colder, many come to Siena Francis House seeking a warm meal, safe shelter, and support to help them find stable housing in our community.

Items urgently needed: 

We also accept new and used men's and women's clothing, food, as well as basic household necessities!

You can drop off these items to our donation dock. The dock is located at 1117 N. 17th Street in Omaha, although only accessible from 16th Street. The dock entrance is located on the west side of 16th Street, a half block north of 16th and Nicholas Street.

If you prefer, you can send us urgently needed items to us using our Amazon Wishlist: https://a.co/4GMUSqe

Questions? Call or email Lily Black (402-341-1821 ext. 1113 or lblack@sienafrancis.org). 

Suncrest Hospice is looking for Holiday volunteers to join the Suncrest Team as we provide excellent care and support to our Hospice patients and their families in their home or facility.  The philosophy of hospice care is to provide comfort and the highest quality of life that one can achieve at the end of life. Through an interdisciplinary team: nurse, home health aide, social worker, Chaplin, music therapist, massage therapists and volunteers, we help the patient and family walk through their journey. Whether you are needing community service hours or wanting to gain some experience in the medical field or share your musical talent, we have an amazing Volunteer program to educate about Hospice volunteering. We need compassionate volunteers to assist us in our facilities while family members are out of town celebrating the holidays. No one wants to alone on the holidays and you can help with your time! 

We would love for you to be a part of our team! Volunteers play a critical role in hospice and I would love the opportunity to chat with you over the phone about our volunteer program. If you are 16 years or older, please reach out to me M-F 9-4p at 402-509-7655, You can also email me at TRodriguez@suncrestcare.com. I look forward to speaking with you! 

Urgent need of the following items:

You may drop off these items to our office located at 7815 Harney St in Omaha.

Access our Amazon Wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3U9N8SBJMKCXS?ref_=wl_share

Questions? Please contact Nyesha Devers P: 402-991-4673 /E: hello@caroleshouseofhope.org                           

T-Shirt Tote Bags are needed to serve families with a pre-packed sack of food at our mobile pantries. We need your help to turn donated T-Shirts into Tote Bags using our provided instructions (link below). 

T-Shirts are available for pick up 

Instructions: https://www.foodbankiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DIY-TShirt-Tote.pdf

T-Shirt Tote Bags are needed to serve families with a pre-packed sack of food at our mobile pantries. We need your help to turn donated T-Shirts into Tote Bags using our provided instructions (link below). 

T-Shirts are available for pick up 

Instructions: https://www.foodbankiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DIY-TShirt-Tote.pdf

* In Order to Volunteer please sign up on the Food Bank of Iowa's Website*

Description:

Volunteers will pack food supplies for families in boxes or bags to be distributed at mobile pantry sites to accommodate the need for drive-thru and pick up models. This is an emergency response for the effects of COVID19.

Key Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

Support/Training: Instructions will be provided on-site at the beginning of the shift.

Age Requirement: Minimum age of 10

Dress Code: Closed-toed shoes are required; no exceptions. Dress comfortably. Gloves will be provided.

Location(s): Food Bank of Iowa has two volunteer centers

For more information contact Michaela Devaney at MDevaney@foodbankiowa.org or click Respond.

* In Order to Volunteer please sign up on the Food Bank of Iowa's Website*

Program Description:

Working in the food pantry, greeting families and determining their needs. Making referrals to resources in the community as well as within MICA. Helping distribute food to those in need and helping to increase capacity with donations from the community.

Location: Grinnell

Duties:

·       Help package food items into grocery bags for community members accessing the pantry.

·       Sorting, weighing and documenting food as it arrives.

Skills required:

●      RSVP volunteers must be 55 years of age or older.

●      Able to keep information confidential

●      Positive attitude and willing to serve families in need

●      Relate well to others and take a team approach.

Amount of Time: Flexible schedule based on volunteers availability

Time of Day: Flexible schedule based on volunteers availability

Benefits:

●        Opportunity to help combat hunger throughout Grinnell

●        Develop lasting relationships with other volunteers

●        Supplemental life and accident insurance while volunteering (see brochure)

●        Milage reimbursement available if delivering food to homebound

Operation information: Established in 1965 to serve children and families affected by the conditions of poverty, MICA provides early childhood, health, family development and housing services as well as community enrichment programs.Helping People. Changing Lives. Building Communities.  Some of our most well-known programs include Head Start, Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and WIC (Women, Infants and Children).

Sidewalkers are at least 14 years. They help set up and tear down equipment in the arena before, in between and/or after sessions. They also walk next to the participant during sessions and assist with balance and exercises. They must be able to comfortably walk and jog, for short distances, next to a horse while providing physical support to a participant.

Days and times that sessions are conducted:
Monday-Thursday and Saturday morning through early afternoon.
Volunteers typically work a 2-3 hour shift on their day, NOT the entire duration of sessions.

For additional information please join us at a HETRA tour! You can see upcoming tour dates and sign up to attend here: http://hetra.org/calendar-of-events/

Learn more about HETRA and Volunteering here: https://hetra.org/volunteer/

Looking to give a gift that keeps on giving? Look no further than HETRA's Amazon wishlist. With over 200 volunteers and staff, 30 horses, and 160 participants receiving services weekly, we go through a fair amount of supplies!

Visit our Wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/PHVL3VLMQEIR/ref=cm_wl_search_1

Looking for an opportunity to change lives? At HETRA, we change lives, one stride at a time and we go through LOTS of supplies every week, throughout the year. In order to keep our services affordable for our program participants, HETRA is seeking donations of supplies such as: paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue, lysol/chorox wipes, hand sanitizer and soap, 55 gallon contractor grade garbage bags, among other things. For more items, please see our amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/PHVL3VLMQEIR/ref=cm_wl_search_1 We're grateful for your support!

Project Christmas Joy is a holiday tradition at Omaha Home for Boys, and your generosity ensures every youth receives a special gift.

By giving today, you help every young adult at OHB experience the magic of the season. Many of them, especially those with young children, are facing a holiday without gifts or even the essentials. With your help, they can receive both — something they need and a special gift to remind them they are loved and not forgotten. This Christmas, let’s come together to make sure no one is left out.

Please help provide gifts in one of the following ways:

1. Shop our Amazon Gift Registry

Purchase essentials or gifts from our Amazon Gift Registry and ship them directly to Omaha Home for Boys.

2. Purchase and Deliver Requested Gifts

Purchase needed essentials and gifts at your favorite retailer and deliver them to our campus. Here is a list of needed items. Contact RaeAnn Knoell at rknoell@ohb.org to coordinate a delivery time.

3. Host a Drive

Hold a drive at your work, church, or other organization to collect needed items and gifts from friends, coworkers, customers, members, etc. and deliver the items to our campus. Here is a list of needed items. Contact RaeAnn Knoell at rknoell@ohb.org to coordinate a delivery time.

Link Associates supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families who are well below poverty level income and struggle on a daily basis to meet their basic needs.

A food basket, Holiday meal items, or gift cards will help make their Holiday Season a little brighter!   A meal can be for the Thanksgiving Holiday or Christmas Holiday. There is also the opportunity to provide gifts for the Christmas Holiday if you are interested.

Please respond to receive a list of most current meal/ food and gift items needed!

We serve more than 113 individuals in our CILA group homes 24/7 and another 9 on our Intermittent CILA program. Several have little to no family support. Seeking kind individuals willing to adopt them for Christmas and put a few presents under their tree. This is a great opportunity for a group, family or a singe caring person. What a great was to show the holiday spirit by giving to someone in need. 

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area needs your help with Hygiene supplies for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As we all know costs continue to rise and available money for individuals with intellectual disabilities doesn't. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities typically have little money left from their cost of care. I am seeking some caring individuals to help alleviate the cost of Hygiene supplies and leave them more money to spend on items that make them happy. We are seeking items such as Shampoo/conditioner for all hair types (including products for black hair), both solid and spray on deodorant. toothpaste, mouth wash, Body wash (not bar soap) for both men and women (Men's 3 in one and women's 2 in one is preferred), men's and women's shaving cream, razers, body lotion, body sprays, hairbrushes, combs, Kleenexes, nail care, chap stick etc. The most needed products to date are Men's 3 in one, body wash (some for sensitive skin, shampoo and conditioner. 

No bar soap, Q-Tip's or cotton balls please. Please feel free to share with friends, coworkers, groups or anyone willing to help!

Please fill out our volunteer application:

Sign up to Volunteer at the link below:

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

Purpose: Take photos at our ongoing events and take high-level photos of our merchandise for magazine layout.

Qualification:

Commitment required: 3-4 hours / shift, we will work with your schedule!

Michelle Simoneau

Special Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Director of Volunteer Services

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52404

319.362.8500 ext. 200
www.NCSML.org

Please fill out a volunteer application:  

Sign up to Volunteer at the link below:

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

• Answer phone calls as needed

• Transfer calls to the appropriate staff members

• Other administrative activities as needed

• Friendly demeanor and ability to learn

• Basic knowledge of NCSML policy and procedures

• Ability to operate phone system- simple transfer

New volunteers will be trained on the phone system by staff as well as

receiving a day of general orientation with a “mentor.”

Michelle Simoneau

Special Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Director of Volunteer Services

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52404

319.362.8500 ext. 200
www.NCSML.org

The Museum Store Clerk supplies merchandise information to the customer and handles sales of store merchandise Responsibilities: ? Assist customers in the Museum Store ? Direct visitors to merchandise and assist them in line ? Keep the store clean and hazard free ? Tag and restock merchandise as directed ? Keep up with product knowledge and current merchandise | The Museum Store Clerk needs to be able to interact with the shopping public, complete a sales slip according to prescribed procedure, use a charge card machine, count back change, and package merchandise. Need to be able to use electronic point of sale device. 

Please fill out our volunteer application form:

Sign up to Volunteer at the link below:

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

Purpose: To enrich the visitor experience by connecting visitors to life long-ago.  Learn the story of the Sleger immigrant home and give tours to the public by providing an engaging and interactive experience. 

Become part of one of the best experiences we have to offer our visitors!

Qualifications:

Commitment required: 3-4 hours / shift

Michelle Simoneau

Special Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Director of Volunteer Services

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52404

319.362.8500 ext. 200
www.NCSML.org

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library seeks out assistance with grant writers.  We have opportunities to help our community in different ways and want those ideas to come to life through some assistance with grants.  We are searching for individuals who:

Volunteer hours are flexible.

Volunteer Application Click Here

Please contact Msimoneau@ncsml.org if you are interested!

Please fill out our volunteer application to get started:

Sign up to Volunteer at the link below:

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

Purpose: Welcome visitors to the museum at the elevator entrance.  This first friendly impression is one of the most important part of the visitors's experience and our volunteers say it is a very rewarding role.

Grand Hall Host Role:

Qualification:

Commitment required: 3-4 hours / shift, we will work with your schedule!

Michelle Simoneau

Special Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Director of Volunteer Services

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52404

319.362.8500 ext. 200
www.NCSML.org

Please fill out this online application to get started! 

Sign up to Volunteer at the link below:

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

Purpose: Welcome visitors to the museum at the elevator entrance.  This first friendly impression is one of the most important part of the visitors's experience and our volunteers say it is a very rewarding role.

Events Help:

Qualification:

Commitment required: 3-4 hours / shift, we will work with your schedule!

Michelle Simoneau

Special Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Director of Volunteer Services

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52404

319.362.8500 ext. 200
www.NCSML.org

You can make a difference in the life of a homebound senior in your community! Delivering “more than just a meal,” your visit will provide healthy nutrition, a safety check, a friendly smile, and the support for these individuals to remain in their homes.

Our volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers deliver over 100 meals each weekday all across the Iowa City area. Delivery drivers pick up meals between 10:30 and 11:00 am and then each delivery route takes approximately one hour.

Our routes are both family-friendly and business-friendly. Deliver one day a week, once a month – you can choose your own schedule! We can also adjust routes to meet your work schedule.

Drivers must have a current driver’s license, be able to drive their own vehicle, and must provide proof of auto insurance. Volunteers must also complete a background check prior to delivering meals. Youth are welcome to accompany an adult driver on deliveries!

Please contact jocovolunteers@horizonsfamily.org or call 319-375-3161 if you are interested!

Babysitters will sit with infants and family members in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).  Activities include cuddling, reading, singing, and other duties as directed by staff.

Responsibilities:

Experience:

Help give new life to gently used treasures! Behind-the-scenes volunteers sort, price, and prepare donations for the sales floor. Tasks vary by department — from hanging clothing and pricing housewares to testing electronics and organizing toys or linens. Every item you process helps support MCC’s mission of relief, development, and peace around the world.

Sample roles include: Clothing Sorter, Kitchenware Pricer, Book or Toy Sorter, Electronics Tester.

Join the friendly front-of-shop team at Crowded Closet! Retail volunteers create a welcoming shopping experience by greeting customers, assisting at checkout, organizing displays, and helping keep the sales floor tidy and inviting. Whether you enjoy connecting with people or keeping things running smoothly behind the counter, your time supports local and global relief, development, and peace projects through Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). 

Sample roles include: Cashier, Cashier Assistant, Retail Assistant, or Greeter.

The Winter Iowa Games are held each year in Dubuque & volunteer needs range from checking in athletes to swimming timers.

The dates for 2026 are January 31 – February 1, 2026. If you are interested in helping, please email us at cole.bollweg@iowagames.org or complete the sign up through the links below. 

To view all volunteer opportunities, please CLICK HERE.

Project Renewal relies heavily on community volunteers to successfully carry out our mission. Individuals who have a sincere desire in helping improve the lives of children in our community can do so through our youth program and agency activities. We need your support!

Afterschool program hours: Monday - Friday, 2:45 – 5:30 p.m.

Summer program hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., additional field trip hours scheduled on a weekly basis.

Times can vary for volunteers to fit their schedule: once a week or however often is desired by volunteer, how long can be decided by volunteer also - whether it is for an hour or more within the time frame of our program hours or for a specific event. Feel free to call to discuss, 563-324-0800

Basic Function and Responsibility

To assist in supervising educational, recreational, and social activities designed to teach school-age children needed life skills such as self-esteem, time management, non-violent conflict resolution, interpersonal skills, and appropriate social behavior.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer examples: helping youth with homework, tutoring math, reading, writing, assist with craft projects, baking, computers, social interaction with youth, playing games, etc. Or other organization items, such as fundraising, marketing, garden and yard work, maintenance or cleaning.

Special Events: Project Renewal Fit-Fest, neighborhood parties –Halloween, Christmas Caroling, Easter Egg Hunt.

We are seeking volunteers to provide transportation to community members who are unable to see the holiday lights otherwise. Volunteers use their personal vehicles.

Trips are based on your availability. We are currently looking for volunteers willing to provide a ride on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays during the Merry-N-County Light Show in Knoxville. This event takes place 6pm to 8pm from November 21st through December 21st. Volunteers need not be available every day of this event. We will match you with a community member for whichever day you are available!

- Mileage Reimbursement

- Supplemental liability insurance

- Annual Recognition Ceremony

- Flexible volunteer schedule

- Improving lives in central Iowa

- Meeting new people

Simply create a profile on this website and HIRTA Helps staff will be in touch to schedule an orientation! If you aren't sure what you would be interested in doing yet, that's okay as well! During orientation, we will go over all the opportunities available to you and you can determine if you would be interested at that time.

Every year, at our Holiday Toy Pantry, we provide hats and gloves for the 1,000 children receiving gifts at our event. These children's families are struggling to make ends meet. We need your help to make sure that these children have the warm essentials that they need for the cold winter days ahead. The hats and gloves are also used for the children at our child development center and our family shelter. Items are needed by Friday, December 12th. 

Drop Off Location:

Families Forward Child Development Center

1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines Iowa 50315

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm

Donation Drop Off at Hartford Avenue:

Pull up by the back door of the yellow Child Development Center. Open the gate behind the Child Development Center and go to the very last door. The door is up 5 steps, and the glass window says “Administrative Office”. Ring the doorbell and someone will accept your donations.

Questions: For questions, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Volunteers are needed to help families get food, clothing and other basic necessities at the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Training is provided when a volunteer first arrives.       

Volunteers help in the following way each day:   

Volunteers needed Monday through Friday (day time and evening shifts) and some Saturdays.  

Volunteers should be 5 years of age or older to volunteer. Youth 12 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. 

Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404 or by text at 515-346-8895.

About Families Forward Bidwell Pantry: At the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Help families “shop” through our free building for food, personal care items, clothing, and household items. Serving 6,000 - 9,000 individuals per month, our pantry provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing.

About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience.

Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. 

About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.

Thank you for your interest in supporting the families at Families Forward this holiday season!         

To sign up to help, click here!

We have two ways you can support Iowa's most vulnerable children & families experiencing homelessness:

You may choose to support both programs.

We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped so families can experience the joy in picking items out and wrapping them for their loved ones.

Please contact Melanie Wright with any questions.
Office: 515-244-9748 | Email: melanie@familiesforward.org

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Thank you for your interest in supporting the families at Families Forward this holiday season!

To sign up to help, click here!

We have two ways you can support Iowa's most vulnerable children & families experiencing homelessness:

You may choose to support both programs.

We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped so families can experience the joy in picking items out and wrapping them for their loved ones.

Please contact Melanie Wright with any questions.
Office: 515-244-9748 | Email: melanie@familiesforward.org

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

You can make the difference in a child's life by coordinating an event to make tie (no-sew) blankets for our Holiday Toy Pantry. We'd love for each child to receive a warm blankie with their new toy. Last year, we served over 1,000 children at our event.  Blankets are needed by Friday December 12th, but we can accept them later than this. 

This a great opportunity for groups, organizations, and employees that can't leave the office to volunteer or would like to do a service project. A team of two volunteers should be able to complete one blanket in an hour.

For questions, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

Please note: Companies/Volunteers will need to purchase the materials to make the blankets.  

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Volunteer on the DBQ Shovel Crew this winter! To help, complete this survey https://arcg.is/0KmSP!

As a DBQ Shovel Crew volunteer you will be paired with a resident in need of assistance who is not physically able to remove snow and ice from their city sidewalk and do not have other resources to remove the snow and ice such as neighbors, friends, or a hired service. We are seeking volunteers who can help throughout the winter season.  The commitment is caring for assigned addresses all winter.

We are all pedestrians at some point in the day, whether walking to a car, the bus, to work, or just in your neighborhood. Your help in keeping sidewalks clear after snow and ice events is a meaningful way to help neighbors in need and the community!

Want to volunteer, but in need of snow and ice removal equipment? We may be able to help! Sign up and we’ll follow up with you on getting access to shovels and deicer salt.

Please complete this survey https://arcg.is/0KmSP to sign up as a volunteer! Once you are paired with a resident/address, we will be in touch with you to sign our volunteer waiver. Thank you!

Dorothy's House is looking for a venue (and/or sponsor) for our 20 person staff to celebrate during the holiday season. Last year we had a pizza party with games and white elephant gift exchange. Do you have a venue and/or group that would like to celebrate the season with us?

We are looking for donations of Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers in groups of 4, 8 or 12. These gifts are for participants in our programs - survivors of trafficking at Recovery House, Pathways and Front Porch. 

For more information, please email our volunteer coordinator, Kathy Bernreuter at kathy@dorothyshouse.org. Thank you so much for making the holidays happy for our participants! 

Following are a list of suggested items compiled by our staff:

Stocking (3 groups of 4)

Fuzzy socks (stocking) x 4

Face mask (stocking) x 4

Gloves (stocking) x 4

Scarf (stocking) x 4

Set of pens/markers (stocking) x 4

Eye shadow palette (stocking) x 4

Mascara (stocking) x 4

Motivational books/posters/desk top calendars (stocking) x 4

Sunglasses (stocking) x 4

Gifts (3 groups of 4)

Positive/affirming books (gift) x 4

K Cups (gift) x 4

Journal - no spiral (gift) x 4

Essential oil kit (gift) x 4

Diamond dots (gift) x 4

Activity Kit i.e. jewelry making (gift) x 4

Blanket (gift) x 4

Robe (gift) x 4

Organizing/Storage baskets (gift) x 4

Makeup brush sets (gift) x 4

The Meals on Wheels Hydroponic Farm is a 3,000 square foot indoor farm capable of producing 20,000 pounds of leafy greens a year. Our farm provides some of our most at risk populations in the metro a source of fresh, healthy greens year-round. We also provide greens to other WesleyLife and local communities.

Training will be provided for every task. We do not require a background in gardening or farming, and only ask that you have an open mind and drive to help feed others. Come help us grow nutrition for those who need it most.

The tasks on our farm include:

Once you express interest in volunteering at the farm from this listing, you will receive separate communication from Claire Smith, Assistant Grower. You can also reach out to her directly at csmith6@wesleylife.org.

Volunteering at the Meals on Wheels hydroponic farm only takes place Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  

Gift joy to families in need through our Johnston Gives program. The Johnston Partnership, in cooperation with the Johnston Community School District, provides a gift card for households with school-aged kids who see more hardship than joy at the holiday season. Last year, we helped over 500 students, and we anticipate this year will be the much more. $50 helps sponsor 1 child, but any dollar amount is helpful. 

Support kids and their families in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Schools this holiday season.

Adopting a family for Christmas is an incredible way to reach a lot of people all at once. Not only will an entire family in need be touched from receiving generous gifts, your own family members will see firsthand the joy of giving and what it looks like to be involved in your community. Respond to this need to be connected with a family service worker or school counselor to help a family in need this year!

The Fadss program is a self sufficiency program that serves families with children ranging from pre-natal-18 years to work toward goals that will enhance their lives.

We are looking for individuals, businesses, or groups that would like to adopt a family or children (ages range from prenatal to 18 years old) for the Christmas Holiday. (Volunteers choose the size and ages they prefer). Once the volunteers information is received the agency will reach out to the volunteer to verify preferences. Once this is done, the agency will provide a list with sizes, wants, and needs to shop for. Gifts can be wrapped or unwrapped and delivered to the agency or to the family if the family gives permission. There is no limit on the amount of gifts or money amount spent, it is up to the volunteer.

Make a difference by joining the Hammers and Harvest Build Challenge, a hands-on volunteer experience. This is more than a challenge—it’s your chance to build stability, opportunity, and hope.

Constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes. Volunteering on the construction site is one of the most impactful ways to support Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Possible construction projects tasks include: • Capping the foundation • Framing and setting walls • Setting roof trusses, sheathing, and shingling • Installing doors and windows • Hanging exterior siding and installing fascia and soffit • Insulation • Painting • Flooring • Installing interior doors and trim • Other finishing work and miscellaneous punch list items • Cleaning • Landscaping Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity will confirm which tasks and location of build site by Friday, a week prior to your volunteer days, with updated instructions for the team.

No previous construction experience required. Volunteers 16 and older may volunteer with restrictions: Youth are not permitted on roofs, ladders, or scaffolding higher than 6 feet. Youth may not use power tools. There must be one adult/chaperone for every five youth volunteers. Volunteers 18 and older have no restrictions. Volunteers should plan for their own lunch or coordinate something as a team. Volunteers should bring plenty to drink for the workday. Closed-toe shoes are required and sandals are not permitted. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for the weather and the task. Iowa Heartland Habitat will provide all the tools and materials you need for the workday.

Our Vigil volunteers are dedicated individuals who provide emotional support and companionship to patients and their families in their final days of life.  They sit bedside, offering comfort through conversation, prayer, music or simply just being present. 

Toys, toys, toys! Every year, the Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves up to 1,000 children in the Des Moines Metro. These children's families are struggling to make ends meet, and the toys they receive at the Toy Pantry may be the only gifts that they receive. Won't you help make a child's Christmas bright? Toys are needed by Friday, December 12, 2025.

Click here to see our entire shopping list. 

The Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves all children ages 0 to 18.

Most Needed Items:

Drop Off Location & Hours:
Families Forward Child Development Center
1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines Iowa 50315
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm

Donation Drop Off at Hartford Avenue:
Pull up by the back door of the yellow Child Development Center. Open the gate
behind the Child Development Center and go to the very last door. The door is up 5
steps, and the glass window says “Administrative Office”. Ring the doorbell and
someone will accept your donations. Please have gift card(s) in an envelope and hand
directly to our staff.

Questions or To Schedule a Drop Off: For questions or to schedule evening and weekend drop offs, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Become a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax Preparer with Iowa Center for Economic Success.

We are looking for volunteers who want to have significant impact in the lives of people in their own community. You can become an IRS trained and certified volunteer tax preparer prior to the beginning of the tax season and then assist taxpayers by accurately preparing their taxes for free. In-person and online training available.

If you enjoy working with numbers and people, this would be a great opportunity for you!

Locations in Des Moines (Evelyn K. Davis Center, United Way, Polk County River Place, LSI and The Iowa Center), West Des Moines and Ankeny.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Become a Greeter for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program with Iowa Center for Economic Success.

We are looking for volunteers who want to have significant impact in the lives of people in their own community. If you are a friendly person, this could be the role for you!

You would be the first person to interact with taxpayers coming to have their tax returns prepared free of charge. Your responsibility would be to greet the clients, make sure they have some basic tax documents, and add them to the list for tax preparation.

We have opportunities at our Iowa Center, United Way, Polk County River Place, Evelyn K. Davis Center, Ankeny and West Des Moines locations.

The office assistant will support office personal through administrative and clerical functions.  An office assistant may help by answering phones, filing, making copies, data entry, making admission packets and helping with mailings.

Our Vigil volunteers are dedicated individuals who provide emotional support and companionship to patients and their families in their final days of life.  They sit bedside, offering comfort through conversation, prayer, music or simply just being present.

Our compassion visits can be anything from holding a patient's hand, reading to the patient, talking with the patient to watching TV, listening to music and playing games.

Our compassion visits are all about meeting the patient where they are at.  Visits can be anything from holding a patient's hand, reading to the patient, talking with the patient to watching TV, listening to music and playing games. 

Bell Ringers volunteer to spend time manning Red Kettles at area businesses seeking donations. Funds raised during the Red Kettle Campaign account for 86% of our annual budget, which allow The Salvation Army to serve the community through meals, food and other basic needs assistance, shelter and more.

Volunteers are needed to assist with transporting Bell Ringers safely to their sites and retuning them to the Salvation Army.

Helping to drive a route during the kettles could save us time, money and resources!! It takes a great team to make this happen and we appreciate any time you can give us! Driving one route for us could save us $25-$30 in payroll (not to mention the appreciation from the team who work very hard during this season!!)

What to do:

- Complete a Salvation Army MVR (Captains or Ellie)

- Sign up for a time to drive – could be, say, every Tuesday during the pm shift or just here and there are you ae able. (talk with Ellie or Captains)

- Go to the DMV and get a Class D sticker on your license – so you can drive our 12 passengers (we can reimburse you).

- If you feel like you’d like to practice driving the 12 passengers, no problem! We can arrange that.

Volunteer bell ringers are more than an icon of the Christmas season; they're the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises the funds that sustain the help The Salvation Army provides all year long. When you volunteer to stand at a kettle, you're not just ringing a bell…you're changing lives.

Join The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls this holiday season. More information and sign-up here!

We are looking for volunteers to help with math and spelling homework at our afterschool program from 4:00-5:00 M-F. A great opportunity for a small group to volunteer together each Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. To get started email niki@flickingerlearning.org or call 563-288-9000. Follow us on Facebook at Flickinger Learning! www.flickingerlearningcenter.org

As the Season of Giving approaches, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful difference in our community. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is on a mission to ensure every family has access to a warm, nutritious meal this holiday season — and we need your help to make it happen!

By volunteering with us, you can share the joy of the season and bring comfort to those who need it most. Whether you come as an individual or with a group, your support will have a lasting impact.

Let’s come together to make this holiday season brighter for all!

Interested in gaining silver cord hours? Come read books, help with STEM activities, and play Sumdog math games with our kids ages K-6th. We would love to have you! Our program runs M-F 3:15-5:15 email niki@flickingerlearning.org or call 563-288-9000 to get started. Other ways to pick up Silver Cord hours at FLC: cleaning, shelving books, entering books in Excel, help with fundraisers like Bingo or Trivia. Follow us on Facebook at Flickinger Learning to see what we do!

Christmas Store - Calling and Scheduling Neighbors in Need We are seeking individuals and small groups of faith to call back Christmas Store applicants to verify number of children, contact information, and schedule which location and time fits their schedule. We will serve approximately 700 families in need with Christmas gifts for their children. We offer prayer at the close of the phone call. A script is provided and all information will be reviewed and scheduled on a computer. Phone calls take approximately 5-10 minutes each. Staff members will be present to assist. Individuals can volunteer between the hours of 9-3pm, groups can volunteer between the hours of 4-7pm. Volunteers can sign up with this link, via VCCV, or contact us at info@loveinccv.org.

This is a great opportunity for individuals who want to get involved but may not be able to commit on a weekly or monthly basis. The Young Women's Resource Center offers three essential resource closets to support participants: the Baby Hub, the Food Pantry, and the Care Closet.

Tasks include:

If you’re interested in volunteering with YWRC, please complete a volunteer application online at https://ywrc.org/volunteer-application/ or contact Feleecia, Community Outreach Manager, at (515) 244-4901 or at fwatkins@ywrc.org for more information.

Join us as we celebrate 10 years of keeping families together through our Integrated Family Care program! Castle Monday is a special evening at the historic Joslyn Castle on December 1, where guests will hear stories from families and mentors, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and learn how to support this important work.

We’re looking for friendly volunteers to help make the night run smoothly — greeting and checking in guests, answering questions, assisting with event activities (like the silent auction and wine pull), and sharing in the joy of this community celebration. Come be part of an inspiring evening that helps families find hope, stability, and home.

Siena Francis House serves approximately 375 individuals per meal, providing three meals a day, every day of the year.

We need your help unloading pallets of canned goods and restocking our pantry so we can continue serving our guests warm, healthy meals. Volunteers should come prepared to organize and put away pantry items and help keep our pantry space clean!

Winter Farmer's Market is seeking smiling, cheerful morning people to help run our Market Info. Booth each week! It's a great way to meet our local farmers, learn more about where your food comes from, and get out of the house during those long winter months. Tasks include:

Volunteer staff will work in a private office monitoring the activities of the shelter. Checking guests in and out, answering the phone, and maintaining awareness are your responsibilities. Our work environment is peaceful. We have a kitchen and a smart tv for your use. 

We have four and eight hour volunteer shifts primarily on evenings and weekends and may be opportunities on 11pm-7 AM shift. 

A background check must be completed prior to volunteering. 

To learn more, visit our website and submit an inquiry form: https://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/emt

Our EMT is currently made up of 70 volunteers who work closely with Festival staff leading up to the Festival and then manages specific areas on-site including load in, load out, general volunteers, troubleshooting, etc. Essentially, the EMT is the eyes and ears of the Festival ensuring everything runs smoothly and our guests and participants are having their best experience. Volunteer areas of focus include:

Artist Relations
Food Vendor Relations
Interrobang Film Festival
Tech/POS Support
Merchandise Sales
On-Site Office Management
Festival Production
DMAF Programs
Sponsor Relations
Stage Management 
Sustainability
VIP Club
Volunteer Relations

High School Students - if you're looking for silver cord hours, we recommend signing up for General Volunteer shifts! Shifts will be live April 7, 2026.

Fundraising Committee Volunteer
Commitment: 1-year term
Meetings: Second Tuesday of every month, 1–2 PM

Fundraising is about so much more than asking for money — it’s about building relationships, sharing stories, and creating meaningful opportunities for others to support our mission. We’re looking for a diverse team of volunteers to help organize, strategize, and energize our fundraising efforts.

Whether you’re great at planning and prepping materials, researching potential donors, writing heartfelt thank-you notes, or inviting others into our work — there’s a place for you here.

We’re especially seeking volunteers who bring strengths in the following areas:

Connector / Networker – You know people and love connecting them. You attend events, enjoy expanding your network, and are comfortable talking about what we do in a way that inspires others to get involved.

Brainstormer – You’re full of ideas and not afraid to share them. You can help reimagine our capital campaign, provide honest and constructive feedback on materials, and help refine our messaging and approach.

Researcher – You’re curious and strategic. You enjoy digging into data, identifying potential donors and funding sources, and helping us prioritize opportunities that will have the greatest impact.

Event Planner – You’re organized, creative, and connected. You bring experience (or enthusiasm!) for planning meaningful experiences and can help elevate our Living Library event concept through partnerships, logistics, and innovation.

If you’re passionate about helping others see the power and purpose behind our mission, we’d love to have you join us. Together, we can create lasting impact — one relationship at a time.

Gather your fellow elves and join us at Momentum Art Studio for a merry day of making magic behind the scenes. With holiday tunes playing, you’ll help tidy the studio, organize supplies, and prep canvases with gesso, ensuring they're as white as the freshly fallen snow. Perfect for groups of 3–5 who love teamwork, laughter, and spreading cheer while making a real impact in the arts community.

Momentum Arts, a program of Community Support Advocates, was created in 2004 to support artists who identify as having a disability. In addition to an annual art showcase, the program offers free workshops, studio space, supplies, mentorship, and professional development. You can visit Momentum Arts in studio #109 at Mainframe Studios or online at: momentumartistcollective.org/

Are you an artist who loves to share your gifts? This season, sprinkle a little holiday magic at Momentum Art Studio by leading a festive, hands-on workshop or art demonstration. Whether it’s painting winter wonderlands, crafting ornaments, or exploring cozy creative themes, your time and talent can bring joy and inspiration to artists living with disabilities and mental health conditions. Workshops can be one-time or recurring, typically lasting 2–3 hours—just enough time to spread some creative cheer and make spirits bright!

Momentum Arts, a program of Community Support Advocates, was created in 2004 to support artists who identify as having a disability. In addition to an annual art showcase, the program offers free workshops, studio space, supplies, mentorship, and professional development. You can visit Momentum Arts in studio #109 at Mainframe Studios or online at: momentumartistcollective.org/

Future City Iowa is looking for volunteers to help with the Regional Competition in Ames, Iowa on January 17, 2026! The theme this year is, Farm to Table, and there are lots of ways to get involved, including virtual support!

For all of our Future City volunteer roles, we are looking for adults who are willing to support middle school students in exploring STEM careers. Training and rubrics will be provided for volunteers where necessary, and this is also a great opportunity for team building as volunteers can be grouped together.

Please complete the Future City Volunteer Sign-up Google Form here: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdL5RqbctnhlYZl2DLNi3gsdHnk2VjYTIu7QWnW6ifbt1WCfA/viewform?usp=dialog

Once you have completed the form and selected your areas of interest, the Future City Regional Coordinator will reach out with you to confirm details! 

Help us provide warm coats and winter-wear for those struggling financially in our community.  We believe everyone has the right to be warm and be protected from the cold Iowa winter weather. The following new and gently-used items are needed: 

Drop Off Location:  1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315

To schedule a drop off, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. Please allow 48 hours for scheduling.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Try Pie employs a diverse group of teen girls with life and leadership skills through meaningful work! As teens work only after school, holiday volunteers join us in the kitchen to help the team keep up with seasonal orders!

Holiday volunteers will complete work in the kitchen that may include preparing packaging and pie materials to be used during the teen's shifts.

No food prep experience required! Age requirement: 18 or older, and not currently in high school. Willing to wear close toed shoes, hairnet, and bring a positive attitude! This opportunity can be made accessible to people with disabilities - please contact us for details. Holiday Volunteering is a short term role and not required to complete a background check.

More details and sign ups available here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BAFA828A7FCC43-58123240-holiday#/

Come help our guests celebrate the holiday season! Join us in spreading holiday cheer to individuals experiencing homelessness at our Emergency Shelter.

Volunteers will help guests choose a Christmas gift and serve holiday treats.

As we want Elf Day, our Holiday themed Community Event, to be a highlight of our residents year, we we need volunteer support. Let us know if one stands out to you; or, if you have any other ideas! These could either be done on or off site. We just ask that you provide the supplies as we do not have a budget to do so. (Must be 18 years or older to volunteer on site)

- Creating 150 Christmas cards for resident’s to receive on Christmas morning – filled with uplifting notes and well wishes
- Baked goods (150 servings) – who doesn’t love cookies and sugar loaded items during the holidays?!
- 150 Stocking stuffer kindness bags – along with a gift, we would love to extend the Christmas spirit with small goodie bags
- 150 Hot cocoa kits – a hot chocolate packet with mini marshmallows and a candy cane taped to the outside (feel free to add a handwritten note).

If interested please register for a task below. Donations can be dropped off before December 19th anytime Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Learn more and take a virtual tour of our campus here: youtube.com/watch?v=YTshFDMScsM&t

Toilet paper is one of our most commonly requested items in our on-site hygiene pantry. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic we can all relate to the fear of running out of this essential need item. Many of our women still face this fear daily due to transportation and/or financial barriers that prevent them from being able to purchase this item from the store. Will you help put TP under our Christmas tree to support our residents through the holidays and beyond? Any amount will make an important and positive impact! 

Donations can be dropped off at the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus, located at 2 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 anytime Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Or, send TP directly to our door using our Amazon wish list here:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PP32L4CYOWD3?ref_=wl_share 

Please contact nicholas.drahozal@dmymca.org with questions!

Make a direct impact to a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities with little or no family involvement. We are seeking caring individuals we would be interested in being their birthday buddy and willing to get them a birthday cake and a small gift. You can be as involved as you see fit. If you choose to just adopt one person, a couple or a house full it is up to you. A cake to many of us is not a big deal but to an individual without a family it means the world. 

One of our greatest needs at Ronald McDonald House is for home-cooked meals for our families. After a long day at the hospital, families are truly grateful for a hot meal waiting for them. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for groups of family, friends, corporate teams, or teens looking to fulfill community service or Silver Cord hours. We have two Houses where you can volunteer: our House near Blank Children’s Hospital and our House within MercyOne (located on the North Side, 4th Floor).

To choose a date, please visit http://www.rmhdesmoines.org, scroll down to click on "Meal Providers," then select "Sign Up Here" to access our meal provider schedule.

FAQ

How many people can participate in our group?
We limit groups to 10 people due to kitchen size. For groups larger than 10, we suggest splitting up: 10 people can cook, and the rest can assist with housekeeping.

What do we need to bring?
We provide all cooking tools and utensils. You’ll just need to bring the ingredients. You’re also welcome to use any canned or dry goods we have available. Feel free to call us to check what’s on hand. *Please keep in mind, Per RMH Global Guidelines, we cannot accept homemade food prepared outside a licensed kitchen.

How much food should we make?
Please prepare a meal for 35 people for each House. If you sign up to make a meal for both Houses we ask you make a meal for 70 people.
To keep a consistent schedule, we ask that meals be ready by 6 p.m.

What time should we arrive?
The volunteer kitchen is reserved from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you’d like to come earlier, please call ahead to confirm kitchen availability.

Can we stay and visit with families?
You’re welcome to stay and visit with families during the meal. However, many families return later in the evening, so we leave the meal out for an hour and then store it as leftovers.

What should we make?
Feel free to be creative and have fun with your meal! There’s no need to worry about dietary restrictions.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, please reach out to Caroline at volunteer@rmhdesmoines.org or call 515-243-2111.

Thank you for helping us support families in need!

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, we proudly serve families from Iowa, across the U.S., and around the world. Our pantry provides meals, sweet treats, snacks, toiletries, and other essentials for these families during their stay-and we would greatly appreciate your support!

If you’re interested in organizing a Pantry Wish List Drive or setting up a donation drive, please reach out. We can share details about the pantry and toiletry items currently needed.

If you’d prefer to donate directly from our wish list, please visit our website at www.rmhdesmoines.org. Our wish list covers items needed for both of our Ronald McDonald Houses. For donated items, we kindly ask that they be shipped to:

1441 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50314

This helps ensure the right items reach the correct House location.

For questions or to arrange a drop-off time, please contact volunteer@rmhdesmoines.org or call us at 515-243-2111.

Thank you for helping us make a difference for families in need!

Join us as we pack up Rooted Boxes — fun, hands-on kits that bring kids closer to healthy food through creativity and connection! Each box includes fresh local ingredients, a recipe, take home utensils, and an activity that helps kids explore the magic of nourishing their bodies and minds. Come lend a hand, meet great people, and help us spread some foodie joy to families in our community!

Join us as we pack up Rooted Boxes — fun, hands-on kits that bring kids closer to healthy food through creativity and connection! Each box includes fresh local ingredients, a recipe, take home utensils, and an activity that helps kids explore the magic of nourishing their bodies and minds. Come lend a hand, meet great people, and help us spread some foodie joy to families in our community!

Join us as we pack up Rooted Boxes — fun, hands-on kits that bring kids closer to healthy food through creativity and connection! Each box includes fresh local ingredients, a recipe, take home utensils, and an activity that helps kids explore the magic of nourishing their bodies and minds. Come lend a hand, meet great people, and help us spread some foodie joy to families in our community!

Join us as we pack up Rooted Boxes — fun, hands-on kits that bring kids closer to healthy food through creativity and connection! Each box includes fresh local ingredients, a recipe, take home utensils, and an activity that helps kids explore the magic of nourishing their bodies and minds. Come lend a hand, meet great people, and help us spread some foodie joy to families in our community!

Join us as we pack up Rooted Boxes — fun, hands-on kits that bring kids closer to healthy food through creativity and connection! Each box includes fresh local ingredients, a recipe, take home utensils, and an activity that helps kids explore the magic of nourishing their bodies and minds. Come lend a hand, meet great people, and help us spread some foodie joy to families in our community!

Join us as we pack up Rooted Boxes — fun, hands-on kits that bring kids closer to healthy food through creativity and connection! Each box includes fresh local ingredients, a recipe, take home utensils, and an activity that helps kids explore the magic of nourishing their bodies and minds. Come lend a hand, meet great people, and help us spread some foodie joy to families in our community!

Looking for a rewarding way to make a difference in your community? Become a Hope Lodge Meal Volunteer and brighten the day of our guests by participating in our Cooking Up Hope program! Whether you're a master chef or a takeout pro, we need YOU to help provide a meal for our guests.

Our Hope Lodge guests are traveling from far and wide to receive cancer treatment, and your donated meals offer more than just nourishment-they bring comfort, relieve stress and ease financial strain during a difficult time.

How You Can Help:

Ready to make a difference, one meal at a time? Sign up today and cook up hope for those who need it most!

Private Group Details:

Did you know Santa Monica House has multiple donation areas across our locations? We're looking for volunteers to help sort, organize, and move clothing from seasonal storage to donation rooms.

Work alongside our on-site volunteer coordinators and make a meaningful impact with every folded shirt and sorted bin.

Whether you're a one-time helper or looking for a regular gig, we’d love to have you!

Interested? Reach out today to get started.

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa has an exciting, short-term, mission-focused volunteer opportunity for you to work with elementary-aged girls to help them build courage, confidence, and character in Girl Scout Club!

This short-term after-school program is for girls in grades K-5 and takes place one hour each week, for five weeks. Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa partners with schools and community partners around the Central Iowa area to make these Girl Scout Clubs possible! Several after school Girl Scout Clubs are starting soon and we need your help as a club facilitator!

Club size, dates, and times vary by location. We’ll provide you with training, resources, lesson plans and supplies for each session, as well as ongoing support to deliver a positive learning environment for girls! Each week, you’ll lead participants in hands-on activities—encouraging them as they learn and try new things.

While participating in a traditional Girl Scout troop experience is the heart of Girl Scouting, some girls and their families have barriers and challenges that prevent them from having access to a Girl Scout troop. That’s where Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa’s Mission Outreach programs come in! The goal of Mission Outreach is to meet girls where they are, in an effort to reduce barriers and expand access to Girl Scout programming, providing opportunities for leadership, adventure, and success. We work with youth-serving community partners in our council to bring high-quality, short-term Girl Scout experiences to girls. A part of the Mission Outreach program is Girl Scout Club! Club sessions are designed based off the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, providing girls an onsite and hands-on learning environment to explore the areas of STEAM, outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship to build courage, confidence, and character. All activities are girl-led and guided by a trained Girl Scout Club Volunteer! Our activity plans include: Self-expression and empowerment, Social relationship development, STEAM, Teamwork and leadership, Financial literacy and money management, Engaged citizenship. 

With the influx of medication donations and increasing need for medication assistance, we need your help. Our volunteers assist in logging incoming donations into our inventory.  Learn more about how you can make a difference in our community and sign up to volunteer at SafeNetRx today!

Do you like to have fun on camera? Want to be part of our light-hearted promotional or community spotlight videos — from silly skits to heartfelt stories? We’re looking for volunteers to appear in video content that helps promote events, causes, and businesses around Anamosa.

You don’t need acting experience or social media know-how — just a willingness to show up, have fun, and maybe wear a costume or two! Blair (our local video wrangler) will take care of the script and editing — we just need some good sports and friendly faces.

Flexible time commitment — perfect for anyone who wants to dip in and out of projects when it fits their schedule.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Iowa Chapter is looking for passionate volunteers to join our Board of Directors. If you’re dedicated to reducing the stigma around suicide, educating your community about suicide prevention, and raising funds to support life-saving programs, we’d love to have you on our team. Help us save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide — right here in Iowa.

Make a Difference in Your Community—Right from Home!

Are you passionate about your local community and want to help others discover how to give back? We're looking for seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help us update and enrich local pages on Ways to Connect, our national directory of volunteer sites.

Ways to Connect is a crowdsourced platform designed to boost traffic and engagement to local volunteer websites—like this one! With just a bit of online research and your enthusiasm, you can help neighbors easily find volunteer opportunity platforms, service clubs, mutual aid groups, and more—making it simpler than ever for everyone to make an impact locally.

Volunteer contributors have already helped us identify 711 volunteer resources across 324 communities in the US!

What You'll Do:

Conduct quick, simple online research to identify active service clubs, mutual aid groups, and upcoming volunteer events in your community.

Enhance your community's page on Ways to Connect by ensuring the information is current, accurate, and inviting for potential volunteers.

Optional: Promote your community’s page on social media to help friends and family find a path to service.

Why Volunteer with Inspiring Service?

Easy and flexible: Volunteer remotely at your convenience.

Immediate community impact: Help your neighbors discover meaningful ways to contribute.

Small commitment: Volunteer for as little as 2 hours, or as much as you'd like.

Growth opportunities: Volunteers can explore deeper involvement through our Ambassador program.

Ready to help your community thrive? Join us today and make volunteering more accessible for everyone.

Ever wished you had a backstage pass to see everything that goes into a production? This is it! As a volunteer working backstage at The Des Moines Playhouse, you'll do much more than observe the action. If ladders, lights, and hand tools intrigue you, consider joining the Light Hanging Crew which carefully positions each light prior to a show. Volunteers are also needed to run the light board, followspots, and sound board during shows. And for a true backstage experience during the show, consider joining the shift/fly Crew. Crew volunteers stay busy changing the set during scene breaks and intermission - including scenery that is flown in from above! Staff will provide hands-on training for all roles so you'll be confident when the house lights go down. Join the team and let the fun begin!         

Learn more: https://www.dmplayhouse.com/volunteer/back-stage  

Come make a scene as a member of The Des Moines Playhouse set crew. We have a great opportunity for volunteers who enjoy building and painting to assist the technical director in constructing the different sets and large prop pieces that star in our plays. We have jobs for the skilled carpenter and for the novice handyman trying to buff up some basic carpentry skills. On the same note, accomplished painters are welcomed and will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, but we welcome volunteers without any experience as an artist. We have a great team with a variety of experience levels, which creates an ideal environment for working together, learning new techniques, and sharing ideas. Volunteers will be trained on.  the detail set work.       

Learn more: https://www.dmplayhouse.com/volunteer/back-stage/

Want to be a part of the theatre without the stage fright? The Des Moines Playhouse needs welcoming individuals to greet patrons, help them find their seats, hand out programs, and help late arrivals be seated at an appropriate time and as quietly as possible. This team creates a memorable experience for our guests. In return, you'll get to see the show for yourself. Other responsibilities include making sure the theater is presentable for the next performance. You can volunteer individually, or bring some friends and family to fill the house positions needed for each show. This volunteer commitment begins one hour prior to curtain time and continues until the end of the performance. You can volunteer just once or for as many performances as you like. Come be a part of the theater and ensure that the show does go on.

CLICK HERE to sign up!

Have you ever pictured yourself on stage? Whether you are new to the stage or a seasoned actor, we have a spot for you! Beginning with auditions and ending with the final curtain call, staff and support volunteers are there to help. Many novices are concerned about learning lines or being nervous on stage - don't let this stop you! During the many weeks of rehearsal your role and character will become second nature. In fact, 50% of the actors who appear on our stages each year are new to the Playhouse! The stage awaits - contact us to learn more about upcoming shows!   

Learn more: https://www.dmplayhouse.com/volunteer/audition/

The next time you go to a play, you could lean over to your friends and say, "I made that." As a stitcher for The Des Moines Playhouse, you'll help build our costumes and put the finishing touches on projects. If you can sew, from simple alterations to full-scale construction, come spend some time in our costume shop and help bring our plays to life. If sewing's not your thing, you can jump in behind the scenes as a dresser or hair and makeup volunteer. Dressers are the extra pair of hands our actors need to make fast costume changes during performances.       

Learn more: https://www.dmplayhouse.com/volunteer/back-stage/

The Jingle Bell Run will take place at Terry Trueblood Rec Area.  The morning will kick off with activities for all ages and will include visits with Santa, a kids fun run, and a 5K.  We will need a wide variety of volunteer help including setting up, tearing down, help serving water along the route, putting signs/banners up, and more!  It will be a fun-filled event and all volunteers will receive a holiday themed event long sleeve t-shirt! 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Arthritis Foundation in providing tools and resources for the approx. 60M American's who have been diagnosed with America's #1 cause of disability.  

As a CASA volunteer, you will be empowered by the courts to help make a child’s dream of a forever home a reality. You will be the one consistent adult in these children’s lives, fighting for and protecting their right to be treated with the dignity and respect that every child deserves. You will not only bring positive change to the lives of these vulnerable children, but also their children and generations to come. And in doing so, you will enrich your life as well.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life.  No special experience is required. At CASA we offer comprehensive pre-service training, coaching and monthly opportunities to meet with other CASAs. We promise you will have the support you need to feel confident in this role.

The following video captures the role and duties of the CASA in less than 4 minutes.

What is a CASA?

https://youtu.be/F5xth-p-9LE

3 times during the school year we teach our elementary students their financial literacy lessons at their school!  We are in all 11 Waterloo Public Elementary schools.  

We are in need of a helper to our Education Coordinator to assist in making sure the students are paying attention, helping with lesson activities, etc.

Would be during the school day for around 40 minutes.

Please contact our Program Director Seth Stearns at 319-823-1095 or seth@thejobfoundation.org if you can help!

As Chapel Tech Volunteer - You assist during our Sunday service by running the power point slides following along with the pastor as she goes through or service. Availability: 1-4 Sundays a month. Time: 10:00-11:30am. Training provided. Background check required. Email klunn@newaldaya.org or call 319-553-2219 for more details!

Read United is a one-on-one reading program that pairs Quad Cities adult volunteers with elementary kids to read together on a weekly basis for 30 minutes. The majority of students paired with Read United volunteers are struggling readers facing many barriers. Read United is an opportunity for elementary school students to practice reading and develop literacy skills with a caring adult while building a love of reading.