Volunteer

Broadway community sets an abundant table, believing that everyone deserves justice, dignity, health, and wholeness. They serve nourishing food, a welcoming environment, shelter, clothing, showers, and medical care. They serve others – breaking down barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege – until all are fed, in body and spirit.  They serve.

Role: Soup Kitchen Volunteer

Responsibilities:

• Help prepare and distribute breakfast and lunch to guests at soup kitchen.
• Work with the Chef and other volunteers to create elements of the lunch menu.
• Clean dishes and other working areas.
• Take orders and wait tables for guests.

Days and Times: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

• Morning shift: 9:30am - 11:30am
• Afternoon shift: 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Special skills or requirements: 

• Empathy, patience, and compassion.
• Ability to stay calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Work well with a team of volunteers.
• Ability to lift 20 pounds.
• Be able to provide proof of vaccination.

Contact: Isaac Adlerstein, Executive Director

Broadway Housing Communities’ mission is to counteract the forces of homelessness and poverty in New York City’s West Harlem and Washington Heights neighborhoods by sponsoring innovative, affordable housing models that generate educational, civic and cultural resources to benefit both the tenancy and the community. The mission has evolved over three decades from pioneering housing solutions to homelessness, to a more comprehensive community strategy serving children.

Role:  Academic Tutor

Responsibilities: 

• Follow and implement all regulations and guidelines of the Homework Club. 
• Assist program participants with homework assignments. 
• Track and report any academic delays to the Education Advocate. 
• Help students develop self-confidence in performing academic work. 
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all student information, material, and discussions shared in the tutoring relationship.
• Assist with special projects upon request. 

Days and Times: Flexible & Remote; Monday through Friday from 3:00pm – 8:00pm

Special skills or requirements: 

• Working toward completion of a Bachelor's Degree at an accredited 4-year college. 
• Must be able to work remotely and/or implement a hybrid model of homework assistance. This means that the environment should be quiet and free of any interruptions from others. 
• Familiarity with the New York City Common Core curriculum.
• Knowledge of New York State standards and test preparation. 
• Strong academic skills in English and Math. 
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; being attentive to weekly email updates is critical because they use it to communicate. 
• Team player and able to develop positive rapport with children and staff. 
• Strong organizational skills. 
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively. 
• Belief in socioeconomic theories and practices for children and teens. 
• Experience working with economically and culturally diverse families is preferred. 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.  

Contact: Please send your resume to Jael Sanchez.

Cathedral Community Cares’ (CCC) mission is to combat and alleviate poverty through preventive services, education, and advocacy, specifically targeting the issues of health and hunger. 

Role: Support the Cathedral Community Cares Clothing Closet

Responsibilities:  A volunteer is needed to assist with sorting and shelfing donations and assisting clients on shopping days.

Days and Times: Shopping days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30am -12:00pm. 

Special skills or requirements: Willingness to do occasional heavy lifting. Volunteers must be vaccinated. Spanish speaking helps but is not required.

Contact: Vanessa Greco, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, or call 212-316-7584

Common Denominator’s mission is to help in-need middle school students love math and build confidence through tutoring and mentorship. Our goal is to ensure that students identify with math, build confidence through math tutoring and mentorship, and develop a keen interest in math as it relates to the world around them.

Role: Out of School Time Math Tutor

Responsibilities: C/Ds recruits committed, compassionate volunteers who are ready to devote their time, talents, and expertise to ensure that middle school students identify with, enjoy, and excel in math. The program focuses on core fundamentals, so tutors do not have to be a math genius to provide tutoring and mentorship. Weekly sessions are uploaded in advance to the program hub to provide tutors with a chance to get familiarized with the weekly topic. Tutors generally are assigned the same student(s) each week, so dependability and responsibility are essential characteristics. The program also focuses on relationship building and social-emotional development. Students feel that they matter to their tutors both in session and in life.

Days and Times:  This program begins in October 2022 and is facilitated in person every Saturday for 90-minute intervals.

Special skills or requirements: Kindness, compassion, and patience.

Contact: Angela Williams, Executive Director

Role: Virtual Math Tutor - Weekdays

Responsibilities: C/Ds recruits committed, compassionate volunteers who are ready to devote their time, talents, and expertise to ensure that middle school students identify with, enjoy, and excel in math. The program focuses on core fundamentals, so tutors do not have to be a math genius to provide tutoring and mentorship. Weekly sessions are uploaded in advance to the program hub to provide tutors with a chance to get familiarized with the weekly topic. Tutors generally are assigned the same student(s) each week, so dependability and responsibility are essential characteristics. The program also focuses on relationship building and social-emotional development. Students feel that they matter to their tutors both in session and in life.

Days and Times: This program begins in October 2022 and is facilitated virtually, one day a week, during lunchtime at your place of business, as part of a public school integrated program.

Special skills or requirements: Kindness, compassion, and patience.

Contact: Angela Williams, Executive Director

Role: Marketing Coordinator

Responsibilities: Create and post social media on Common Denominator's handles to heighten visibility. Create a quarterly newsletter to keep donors, volunteers, and partners adequately informed.

Days and Times: Schedules may be flexible. 

Special skills or requirements: Strong communication and writing skills.

Contact:  Angela Williams, Executive Director

DOROT alleviates social isolation among older adults and provides services to help them live independently as valued members of the community. They do this by bringing the generations together in a mutually beneficial partnership of elders, volunteers and professionals.

Role: Legacy Project Volunteer

Responsibilities: Older adults engaged with DOROT have lived full and interesting lives. Help them share their beliefs and values, life lessons, hopes for the future and special memories, to ensure they will not be forgotten. Each Legacy Project Volunteer is matched with a senior to help gather and record their legacy stories in writing or through other media (video, audio tape, collage, etc.) as agreed upon. Most projects involve 3-4 interviews, either in person or by phone/video chat. Volunteers are also expected to spend time on their own creating a draft project and making revisions as requested by their senior pair.

Days and Times: Meetings are scheduled at mutually convenient times for volunteers and older adults.

Special skills or requirements: Good listening, conversational and writing skills. Photography, videography and/or design skills are also a plus. Ages 18+; 2 electronic references; background check; US government issued photo ID. A commitment of approximately 15 hours for interviews and independent project work is typical.

Contact: Sharon Stahl, Manager Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement

Role: Response Team Volunteer

Responsibilities: The Response Team Volunteer will engage with and support DOROT seniors – when it fits your schedule. Response Team volunteers are notified when new opportunities arise. They make the decision about which opportunities meet their interests and availability. Typical requests include: reading aloud; organizing paperwork or mail; taking neighborhood walks; running errands; and calling or visiting to celebrate a birthday.

Days and Times: Volunteers receive regular emails and sign up for the opportunities that are convenient.

Special skills or requirements: Ages 18+; two electronic references; background check; US Government issued photo ID. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 8 activities in 6 months.

Contact: Kelsey Donovan, Response Team Coordinator

Role: Tech Coach

Responsibilities: Ensuring that older adults can cross the digital divide has never been more important. As a tech volunteer, you will support and guide late tech adopters 1:1 as they learn how to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, access information and learn tech skills. The ideal volunteer is patient, comfortable with computers, tablets and/or smartphones, and enthusiastic about helping older people. DOROT provides orientation and training. No special expertise is required. Coaching may take place in person in Manhattan or via phone/video chat.

Days and Times: Coaching sessions are scheduled at mutually convenient times for volunteers and older adults.

Special skills or requirements: Comfort with technology and patience. Age 18+; two electronic references; background check; US Government issued photo ID. A commitment of 2 hours per week for a minimum of 3 months.

Contact: Sharon Stahl, Manager Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement

Harlem Wellness Center’s mission is to close the health gap through access to innovative holistic wellness programs that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create environments where all can connect, heal and thrive. HWC promotes and advocates for health and racial justice.

Role: Graphic Designer (remote position)

Responsibilities: 

• Project based
• Design, graphics, layouts for flyers, posters, campaigns

Days and Times: 

• Immediate start date.
• Volunteer works on their own schedule to meet agreed upon project deadlines.
• Maximum of 5 hours per month.

Special skills or requirements: 

• Excellent IT skills
• Experience using design and photo-editing software. Abreast of the latest trends
• Typography
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail

Contact: Vivan Williams-Kurutz, Founder

Mission Statement: The Harlem Educational Activities Fund, Inc. (HEAF) is a comprehensive not-for-profit supplemental education and youth development organization that supports and assists dedicated students to develop the intellectual curiosity, academic ability, social values and personal resiliency they need to ensure success in school, career and life.  HEAF identifies scholars in middle school and supports them until they are successfully admitted to four-year colleges through a variety of after-school, and summer programs.

Role:  Tutor

Responsibilities: Tutors support students virtually as they tackle homework assignments and prepare for tests while building supportive relationships and positively impacting their academic achievement. Tutors work with students in small groups over Zoom to support them with homework assignments, test preparation, and the development of strong study habits. Tutors support students in subject areas ranging from Math, English Language Arts, Physics, Spanish, and Algebra.

Days and Times: This is a one hour per week virtual commitment. 

• Middle school- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 4:30pm-5:30pm or 5:30pm-6:30pm
• High school-Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm

Special skills or requirements: Some College or B.A. (Masters in Education students encouraged to apply), Advanced Skills in Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and/or Test Prep. Strong work ethic and professional values. Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to promote HEAF educational and youth development philosophy.  

Contact: Marie Hu, Director of Career Connections

The Legal Outreach educational program serves low-income, mostly minority, and/or first generation urban youth from under-served neighborhoods in New York City. The law-based curriculum focuses on providing students with the necessary tools to achieve at a high academic level and gain the confidence and social skills to pursue their professional goals. The goal is to provide social and academic support to students so they can matriculate to competitive colleges and pursue their career interests.

Role: Virtual Math Tutor

Responsibilities: Virtual Math Tutors will support students in tackling high school math course work of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and/or Calculus classes.  Tutors will work with students to complete homework assignments and prepare for upcoming quizzes and exams.

Days and Times: Each tutor should be available twice a week between Monday and Thursday from 5:30-7:00pm.

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers should have strong interpersonal skills, a strong grasp of the subject matter (at least one), and willingness to work with students who are struggling academically.

Contact: Massiel Ramos, Managing Director of Program Administration.

Role: Virtual Science Tutor

Responsibilities: Virtual Science Tutors will support students in tackling high school science course work of Earth Science, Living Environment, Chemistry and/or Physics classes.  Tutors will work with students to complete homework assignments and prepare for upcoming quizzes and exams.

Days and Times: Each tutor should be available twice a week between Monday and Thursday from 5:30-7:00pm.

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers should have strong interpersonal skills, a strong grasp of the subject matter, and willingness to work with students who are struggling academically.

Contact: Massiel Ramos, Managing Director of Program Administration.

Role: Virtual Grammar Tutor

Responsibilities: Virtual Grammar Tutors will support students in tackling their Legal Outreach Freshmen Grammar Homework. Students are required to meet with their tutor to work through the required reading, identify grammar rules and produce examples for each rule.

Days and Times: Each tutor should be available twice a week between Monday and Thursday from 6:00-7:00pm or at an agreed upon time that works for the student and tutor.

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers should have strong interpersonal skills, and a willingness to work with students who are struggling academically. General grasp of the English Grammar is sufficient as the tutor would get a brief training and will have to use the grammar book assigned to the student.

Contact: Massiel Ramos, Managing Director of Program Administration.

LifeForce in Later Years (L.i.L.Y) is helping to change the tide for frail elders, many living alone, who often face dire challenges when families aren’t available.

Role: Friendly Visitor and Virtual Helper

Responsibilities: Help home-bound seniors

Days and Times: Flexible schedule

Special skills or requirements: Fully vaccinated volunteers are needed to pay friendly visits, take a walk with a senior, run an errand, or escort a senior to a doctor visit. Technology skills are helpful as many seniors are struggling to use a smartphone, Zoom, FaceTime, etc. Seniors can benefit from technical support in person or over the phone. Spanish speaking is also helpful as some seniors are monolingual Spanish speakers.

Contact: Paula Seefeldt, Program Director or call 646-734-0182.

NDI’s mission is to provide children with joyful, participatory dance and music classes that support their physical health, social-emotional wellbeing, and intellectual development. Professional careers in dance are not our end-goal; instead, dance and music are the vehicles for connection, self-discovery, and personal and collective growth.

Role: Prospect Research Volunteer

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct research to determine if private businesses, public corporations, and philanthropic foundations are a good potential funding source for NDI.
• Organize research to create prospect profiles.

Days and Times: At volunteer’s convenience.

Special skills or requirements: Access to internet and personal laptop (if planning to work in the center).

Contact: Ravit Gilletti, Manager of Institutional Giving

Role: Music Artist Volunteer 

Responsibilities: 

• Help with the transfer, upload and download of video archive footage to back up drives.
• Help create procedures for backup, catalog and storage of archival footage.

Days and Times: Flexible between 9:00am -5:00pm, Monday through Friday at the National Dance Institute (217 West 147th Street, New York, NY 10039). 

Special skills or requirements: Basic knowledge of data management, archival procedures, and computer use. 

Contact: Ravit Gilletti, Manager of Institutional Giving

New York Common Pantry reduces hunger and promotes dignity, health and self-sufficiency.

Role: Harlem Hot Meals

Responsibilities: For the Hot Meals Program, volunteers will assist Chef Ed by packaging nutritious, hot meals in boxes to-go. Other volunteers may pack cold lunches. Both hot meals and cold lunches are distributed to anyone who is hungry, and volunteers help see this effort through.

Days and Times: All volunteer opportunities can be found here: Volunteer Hub. There are volunteer activities in Harlem, Monday through Saturday.

Special skills or requirements: All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, and should wear clothing that can get dirty, as well as closed-toed shoes, like sneakers or work boots.

Contact: Erin Williams, Volunteer Manager

Role: Bronx and Harlem Choice Pantries

Responsibilities: For Choice Pantries in the Bronx and Harlem, volunteers are called upon to assemble packages of produce and shelf-stable foods for clients who are experiencing food insecurity. Volunteers are required to sanitize, and wear masks and gloves, which will be provided. There is a hand-sanitizing station in the Pantry, and volunteers are asked to stand for 3.5 hours and handle 30lb bags of groceries.

Days and Times: All volunteer opportunities can be found here: Volunteer Hub. Help is needed in the Bronx: Tuesday through Saturday; and, in Harlem: Monday through Saturday.

Special skills or requirements: All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, and wear clothing that can get dirty, as well as closed-toed shoes, like sneakers or work boots.

Contact: Erin Williams, Volunteer Manager

Purple Circle is an early childhood daycare that serves working families in the community and around NYC. Our program values children’s play and recognizes how play is woven into learning.  Teaching is a family practice and we emphasize the importance of connecting home, school and culture.

Role: Grant Writer

Responsibilities: Volunteer needed as soon as possible to prepare grant proposals and support director in letter of inquiry.

Days and Times: Flexible schedule

Special skills or requirements: Experience with writing grant applications and proposals for not-for profits.

Contact: Email Elaine Karas, Executive Director or Laurie Kalinowski, Business Manager

The goal of the Riverside Hawks Leadership Academy is to prepare young students in grades 5-8 for high school, through Positive Youth Development Experiences with a focus on Social and Emotional Learning.

Role: Leadership Academy Aide

Responsibilities: Volunteers will assist staff and tutors by recording attendance, helping middle school students with homework, test prep, activities such as debate, and board game tournaments, and other education-related needs, as they arise. 

Days and Times: Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday from 4:00 -7:00pm

Special skills or requirements: No special skills or requirements required.

Contact: Andy Destin Program Coordinator and Director of Operations Christopher Snell

Riverside Language Program offers free English classes to documented, recently-arrived immigrants, asylees and refugee adults currently living in New York City.

Role: Language Lab Volunteer

Responsibilities: Language Lab Volunteers are conversation partners for the ESL students. They help facilitate conversations with English Language learners in small, informal groups.  This helps students gain confidence and fluency as they learn English.  The conversation topics are about every day topics. 

Days and Times: Labs take place Monday through Friday for one and half hours.

Special skills or requirements: No special skills are needed. However, all volunteers must attend an orientation session.

Contact: Email Lynda Metmer, Office Assistant

The mission of SNACK* (Special Needs Activity Center for Kids and *Adults) is to fill a void for children, teens, and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities by providing unique programs designed and staffed to address their needs. SNACK* also provides vocational training and supported employment opportunities and welcomes those with physical disabilities, verbal and non-verbal language abilities, across all socio-economic, race, and ethnic backgrounds. 

Role: SNACK* Visual Aid Warrior

Responsibilities:  SNACK* Visual Aid Warriors help create and post visual aid materials throughout SNACK*s facilities.  These visual aid materials will help assist the non-verbal population of kids we serve on the Autism Spectrum with daily activities, i.e. making requests through use of visual support and assist them to find and put away items independently.  

Days and Times:  Weekdays 10:00am-4:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Requirements include taking photographs with cameras/iPhones; creating sign on computers; laminating and posting all of the materials.

Contact: Email Katie Coombs

Role: SNACK* 21+ Program Volunteer

Responsibilities:  SNACK* 21+ Program Volunteer help with class set up and shut down, assemble supplies so lead teachers can run classes without interruption, light cleaning, take pictures of programming, model tasks for members, and give praise/encouragement.

Days and Times: Weekdays 9:00am-3:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Smile and have fun! Your positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.

Contact: Email Katie Coombs, Program Director & Facility Manager

Role:  SNACK* Snacktivities Program Volunteer

Responsibilities:  SNACK* Snacktivities Program Volunteer responsibilities include helping with class set up and shut down, assembling supplies so lead teachers can run classes without interruption, light cleaning, take pictures of programming, model tasks for members, and give praise/encouragement.

Days and Times: Weekends 10:00am-3:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Smile and have fun! Your positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.

Contact: Email Katie Coombs, Program Director & Facility Manager

The Community Initiatives of NY (TCIONY) is a team of activist consisting of business owners, judges, officers, therapist, religious leaders, credible messengers and psychologist all committed to the emotional and mental health of the community in which they serve.

Role: Bookkeeper

Responsibilities: Volunteer will help input Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) into QuickBooks and reconcile monthly.

Days and Times: One to two days per week. Flexible hours.

Special skills or requirements: Must have some knowledge of QuickBooks.

Contact: Janet Cohen, Program Director

The Morningside Players (TMP) is a Collective Performing Arts Company dedicated to presenting an affordable theater of vibrant new work and classic plays to our Morningside Heights/Manhattanville community.

Role: Stage Manager

Responsibilities: The Stage Manager will run the sound and light board console during shows and all cues needed. Check props, actors, etc. Attendance may be needed at most rehearsals.

Days and Times: Performances are usually held on weekends, Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 5:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm for three weekends in a row.  Rehearsals are usually evenings and weekends, with some flexibility.

Special skills or requirements: Computer savvy with Mac, comfortable with theater atmosphere and needs.

Contact: Email Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director

Role: Graphic Artist

Responsibilities: Help create posters, flyers and publicity artwork for productions.

Days and Times: Very flexible.

Special skills or requirements: Graphic and theatrical design skills.

Contact: Email Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director

Role: Props Master

Responsibilities: The Props Master will find and maintain theatrical props for stage productions.

Days and Times: Flexible

Special skills or requirements: Sense of period, the play’s “world” and the items that would be in that world.

Contact: Email Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director

Role: Marketing 

Responsibilities: The Marketing volunteer will create online content and strategies for reaching audiences; maintain a database of audience emails.

Days and Times: Flexible and can be mostly remote.

Special skills or requirements: Microsoft Mail Merge, social media savvy, FaceBook, Survey Monkey, and familiarity with websites.

Contact: Email Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director

The Reading Team helps young children at high risk of reading failure to become strong and enthusiastic readers, writers, listeners, and speakers and to develop the skills, habits, and enjoyment of reading that will support their success in school and in life. Since opening its doors in 2001, they have helped more than 13,000 children achieve substantial and lasting academic progress.

Role: Fundraising Researcher

Responsibilities: The Reading Team seeks a volunteer with an interest in nonprofit fundraising and strategy to prepare brief research reports on potential foundation funders, as well as to undertake research on individuals who may be interested in supporting our work as donors and/or board members.

Days and Times: This work can be done remotely and according to the volunteer's schedule.

Special skills or requirements:  This would be a suitable volunteer role for someone with previous experience doing research online. We seek a volunteer with clear and accurate writing who knows how to work in a spreadsheet such as Excel or Google Sheets.

Contact: Email Dana Points, Executive Director

Role: Digital Communications Manager

Responsibilities: Develop a social-media calendar and posts for the Reading Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Monitor and respond as needed to posts on our social channels. Engage on social media with other individuals and brands who promote reading, literacy, early-childhood education. 

Days and Times: Flexible; option to work in our office or remotely. 

Special skills or requirements: The ideal volunteer is an experienced user of social media with excellent writing/spelling/grammar. Previous experience planning and posting on behalf of a brand is helpful; familiarity with Squarespace is a plus but not essential. 

Contact: Email Dana Points, Executive Director

Triple F Empowerment operates the STEAM education program known as Ms. Steph’s Science Club. They have been inspiring, empowering, and encouraging young people to pursue education and careers in the STEAM fields for ten years.

Role: Saturday Science Club Volunteer (2-3 volunteers needed)

Responsibilities: Help 8 to 12 students, ages 3-12, safely enjoy STEAM indoor activities and outdoor play in the gated outdoor space.

Days and Times: 

• March 25 from 12:00-3:00pm
• April 1, 22, 29 from 12:00-3:00pm
• May 6, 27 from 12:00-3:00pm
• May 13 from 9:00am-3:00 pm (Special Event- Super Saturday STEM Expo)
• May 20 from 10:00am-2:00pm (Special Event- Harriet Tubman Learning Center’s Annual Wellness Fair)
• June 3, 17 from12:00-3:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must like science and work well with children. Volunteers are required to go through an interview/screening process with the director for the safety of the children.

Contact: Stephanie E. Farmer, Executive Director

Role: Girls’ Club Volunteer (2 to 3 volunteers needed per session)

Responsibilities: Help 8 to 12 girls, ages 3-12, safely engage in STEAM activities.

Days and Times: June 10 from 2:00-4:30pm

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must like science, work well with children, and support girls and women in science. Volunteers are required to go through an interview/screening process with the director for the safety of the children.

Contact: Stephanie E. Farmer, Executive Director

The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF) has provided gymnastics programs for youth ages 3-17 for more than 17,000 children through community gymnastics classes, summer camp, competitive teams and sports clinics.

Role: Archive Specialist

Responsibilities: Specialist will build and manage an archival repository of WHGF hard copy and digital records; provide administrative archive support; oversee records management; contribute to the development, implementation, update, and documentation of policies and workflows related to digital archives and preservation.

Days and Times: Monday through Friday from 10:00am until 6:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Proficiency in Google Suite, Mac, Microsoft

Contact: Email Jocelyn Perusina or call 212-316-0315

West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) is on a mission to alleviate hunger by ensuring that all New Yorkers have access with dignity to a choice of healthy food and supportive services. Food insecurity is pervasive in NYC, affecting people in every borough. They believe that all people, regardless of income, should have access to the same quality options available in any supermarket, for free.

Role: Volunteer Support for Front-Line Operations

Responsibilities: Volunteers will support the work of West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) through helping with frontline operational needs. The role will be in-person, hands-on and participants can expect to become introduced to the ways in which WSCAH is able to serve its community.

• Distributing food to the community: Volunteers will distribute packaged bags of healthy food and fresh produce to WSCAH’s customers on the sidewalk of 86th Street. Volunteers will be standing on concrete under tents in the same general spot for the entire shift, and should feel comfortable interacting with the public. Spanish proficiency is helpful, but not necessary.
• Setting up WSCAH’s onsite distribution: Volunteers will help set up tents, tables and move food from the inside of the church to the sidewalk of 86thStreet for the day’s distribution. Once the distribution is set up, volunteers may assist with repackaging bulk bakery items into individual household bags. Volunteers should feel comfortable lifting around 20 pounds and working on their feet for the entire shift.
• Unloading food deliveries: Volunteers will manually break down palletized food deliveries on the sidewalk of 86th Street, use carts to bring product(s) inside the church and store food in the correct areas, as designated by WSCAH staff. This is a very physically labor-intensive role and folks should sign up for this project only if they are comfortable continuously lifting 15-30 pounds, up to 50 pounds at times, maneuvering carts loaded with roughly 500 pounds of product with the assistance of a partner and working on their feet for the entire shift. ​​​
• Packing food bags: Volunteers will work in an indoor environment, either by themselves or as part of a small team to assemble individual household food bags of fresh produce and/or shelf-stable food products. Volunteers should feel comfortable performing the same task repeatedly, using hand/finger dexterity, lifting around 15 pounds and working on their feet for the entire shift.

Days and Times: 

• Distributing food to the community:
  • Tuesday-Friday: 8:30-10:45am
  • Tuesday-Friday: 10:45am -1:00pm
• Setting up WSCAH’s onsite distribution:
  • Tuesday-Friday: 7:00-9:00am
• Unloading food deliveries:
  • Monday-Friday: 9:00 -11:00am
  • Monday: 11:00am-1:00pm
• Packing food bags:
  • Monday-Friday: 9:00 -11:00am
  • Monday-Thursday: 11:00am-1:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Spanish proficiency helpful for “Distributing Food Bags” but not required by any means.

Contact: Email Steven Yee, Volunteer Coordinator, if interested.