Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Around Phoenix

Katie G. said:  United Food Bank has provided hunger relief to people in the East Valley and eastern Arizona since 1983, collecting, storing, and distributing food to more than a hundred partner agencies in five counties. Volunteers are necessary to accomplish this work! Families with kids as young as five are invited to volunteer to sort and pack food, and assemble emergency food bags together.

Alexandra F. said:  Feed My Starving Children is committed to providing food to children living in poverty throughout the world. Volunteers work in 2-hour sessions to pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritious blend of vitamins and minerals specially formulated for children suffering from malnutrition, which are then sent to partners working in orphanages, schools, clinics and feed programs in nearly 70 countries. In addition to several permanent packing locations, FMSC also offers MobilePack events throughout the United States, so check their site for an opportunity near you!

MORIAH said:  MORIAH Cooperative provides free inclusive social groups for neurodiverse children ages 5-18 years old. Peer Mentor ages 9-18 years old can volunteer their time at these social groups by providing a safe environment for kids to interact and practice their social skills.

Katie G. said:  This no-kill pet rescue and shelter provides medical care, food, supplies and housing for dogs and cats who would otherwise be abandoned during difficult times. Various volunteer opportunities are available to children and families who complete the orientation program and commit to at least six hours of assistance, including help maintaining the facility, caring for the animals, and sorting animal toys and food. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Katie G. said:  The Welcome to America Project welcomes and provides support to refugees being resettled in the local community. Volunteers can help to welcome their new neighbors in a variety of ways, including meeting with new families, sorting and packing donations, delivering household items and furniture and helping out at the Mobile Clothing Closet, which distributes gently used gently used clothing, shoes, books and accessories.

Katie G. said:  Arizona Helping Hands provides support and supplies to foster parents to help them care for kids in foster care, including beds/cribs, clothes, diapers, school supplies and birthday presents. Though volunteers must be at least 14 years old to help out at Arizona Helping Hands, the organization invites families with younger volunteers to contact them to learn about other ways they can support their work.

Katie G. said:  The Valley of the Sun United Way strives to end poverty, hunger and homelessness in central Arizona. There are many volunteer opportunities available through United Way and its partner agencies, including projects that can be completed at home or at various community locations. Sample family-friendly volunteer opportunities include wrapping gifts for holiday toy drives and sorting books and food for distribution.

Katie G. said:  Southwest Human Development is dedicated to helping young children, ages birth to five, by offering early childhood development programs and services. Group volunteer opportunities are available to families who are looking to make an impact in young kids lives. Families can put together program materials to be distributed to new families, write letters of encouragement to young children or pack, sort and shelve books in their warehouse.

Katie G. said:  Youth for Troops is a youth-led non-profit serving veterans, service members and their families. Children, teens and families are encouraged to volunteer together to help a veteran or service member at regular volunteer events. Families can help assemble care packages for deployed troops, make portable sleeping mats for homeless veterans, write appreciation cards to be included in care packages for deployed troops and collect hotel/travel size toiletries for homeless backpacks.

Katie G. said:  Families with children who have life-limiting conditions require round the clock care which can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Among many things, Ryan House offers respite stays for these families giving them a break from 24/7 caregiving. While their child is on respite, they can take their own much-needed break, whether spending time with their other children and loved ones, traveling or simply sleeping through the night. They can rest assured knowing that their kids are being cared for in a safe, loving environment and having a lot of fun through the many life enhancing activities they offer like arts and crafts, swimming, music therapy and more!

Ryan House has a Kids for Ryan House program where children under 18 can help these kids and their families by creating donation drives, volunteering at events or hosting their own event to support Ryan House, which is currently 100 percent funded by community donations.

Katie G. said:  St. Vincent de Paul lets children of all ages volunteer during their Hearts and Hands Kids Days. During these volunteer events, kids can fill hygiene bottles (shampoo and soap), write thank you notes and decorate the dining room by making centerpieces for the tables. Other opportunities for older kids include helping out in the dining room and working in the urban garden where produce is grown and used to make meals distributed to families in need.

Katie G. said:  The Arizona Humane Society rescues and cares for sick, hurt or abused animals. Although volunteers must be at least 16 years old to care for animals at the shelter, there are special youth programs for families with younger children. These include at home volunteer opportunities like making toys for animals and the popular Reading Fur Fun program where kids ages 7-12 can to read to the dogs in care.

Katie G. said:  The mission of St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance is to eliminate hunger by collecting and distributing food to those in need. Families will have a meaningful time volunteering together to pack, sort or distribute food for individuals and families in their community who are in need of a little extra assistance.