Volunteers are essential to the work that we are doing. We provide great volunteer opportunities for those looking for a powerful experience and a way to give back. We want to give you the opportunity to serve, grow, and become a part of our loving community while coming alongside us in our mission to Transforming Together, to be Love in Action, in a broken world!
Volunteer will help with duties that are needed for that day. This could be steaming clothes and putting on the racks or possibly cashiering or pricing items
We are a thrift store that could use help with different activities that could include steaming clothes, tagging, cleaning home décor, dusting shelves, recovering racks, and cashiering. Everyday our needs may differ based on donations. This is a great opportunity to find what your talent may be in the retail world.
We use newspapers for our litters of puppies to potty on because it's much safer than puppy pads. We needs students to unfold, stack and then roll the newspaper so we can have the newspaper readily available for cleaning up after the pups multiple times a day.
When
Varies, see information in the description
Where
Pick up newspapers from 1217 Prairie St., Adel, IA, roll them at your home, then return them to 1217 Prairie St., Adel, IA
Contact Rochelle Pettinger by email, rm.pettinger82@hotmail.com or phone, 515-250-0654 to set up times to pick up papers.
Newspapers will be rolled at home and returned to the Adel address when finished.
Full instructions will be given to you at first visit.
Clothing Closet Attendant
What
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to assist with sorting donations and organizing our Clothing Closet at Central Iowa Shelter & Services. This involves sorting through donated items, organizing them, and re-stocking our Clothing Closet to ensure it remains tidy and accessible.
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to assist with sorting donations and organizing our Clothing Closet at Central Iowa Shelter & Services. This involves sorting through donated items, organizing them, and re-stocking our Clothing Closet to ensure it remains tidy and accessible.
Our Clothing Closet operates entirely on donations and serves our community, primarily our shelter guests and clients experiencing homelessness. These individuals are our neighbors, many of whom are striving to stay employed or seek employment. The Clothing Closet is essential to their journey, providing them with the necessary attire for daily life and job opportunities.
Tasks Include:
Sorting and organizing donated items in the Donation Closet
Stocking and tidying the Clothing Closet
Ensuring items are in good condition and seasonally appropriate
Interacting with clients to assist them in selecting clothing
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to assist with sorting donations and organizing our clothing closet at Central Iowa Shelter & Services. This involves sorting through donated items, organizing them, and re-stocking our clothing closet to ensure it remains tidy and accessible.
Our clothing closet operates entirely on donations and serves our community, primarily our shelter guests and clients experiencing homelessness. These individuals are our neighbors, many of whom are striving to stay employed or seek employment. The clothing closet is essential to their journey, providing them with the necessary attire for daily life and job opportunities.
Tasks Include:
• Sorting and organizing donated items
• Stocking and tidying the clothing closet
• Ensuring items are in good condition and seasonally appropriate
Your efforts will help us maintain a welcoming and supportive environment for those in need. Thank you for considering this important volunteer opportunity.
WHAT TO SORT AND HOW TO HANDLE ITEMS
• Clothing:
– Stock, fold, and go through all clothing donations
– Acceptable Items: Ensure items are clean and in good condition
– Adult clothing (seasonally appropriate)
– Unacceptable Items: Remove and discard the following:
– Children’s clothing
– Baby clothing
– Winter clothing out of season
– Any clothing with stains, rips, or significant wear
Lunch or Dinner Service @ Central Iowa Shelter & Services
What
Our community kitchen provides fresh and healthy meals to those in need using a combination of ingredients and produce grown on-site, donated or purchased. The kitchen serves breakfast, lunch. dinner and a snack every day.
Our community kitchen provides fresh and healthy meals to those in need using a combination of ingredients and produce grown on-site, donated or purchased. The kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner & a snack, with both lunch and dinner meals including a fresh salad.
The community kitchen serves more than 750 meals each day and is projected to serve 270,000 meals in 2024.
The program is operated by kitchen staff and a network of volunteers, all working together to provide and serve meals. About 55–65% of meals are donated by volunteers, which expands our budget by at least $20,000 per month.
Volunteers & Community Partners interested in helping support Mulberry Street Café can register for either Lunch or Dinner services and denote whether they will be providing the meal, providing and serving the meal, or serving the meal. We ask that any groups or individuals preparing to provide a meal plan for 250 persons. Both groups and individuals are welcome to assist in serving meals.
We need volunteers to help litters of puppies residing in a puppy nursery at an approved foster home with Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa. This will include orientation by the foster parent with volunteer helping with cleaning, caring for them, and socializing.
When
Evening; Weekends
Where
Foster pawrent home where litter of puppies reside (Adel, Iowa). Our foster parents name, contact info, and address will be disclosed upon approved volunteer application and signed volunteer acknowledgement by student and/parent guardian..
Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa is 100% foster/volunteer based rescue. We have litters of puppies in loving approved foster homes and at times will need help with the litters. Volunteers must be committed to the humane and ethical treatment of animals when completing all tasks under the direction of our assigned foster parent in their home. It is also expected that the volunteer with puppy pawtrol be engaged in the tasks they are assigned and will not be on their electronic devices while completing silver cord hours with this effort.
Upon submission of our volunteer form, there will be one additional form for the student and parent/legal guardian to sign before being assigned to puppy pawtrol.
Each week at Hope Waukee 250+ kids ranging from ages 3-12 come to experience our HopeKids program on the weekends. This weekly programming takes lots of prep work to ensure that each child experiences the love of God and is all taken care of. This will include preparing crafts, making weekly worship packs for the kids, helping to maintain supplies, brainstorming ideas, helping with themes and decorations. Reach out to me, Taylor, directly to get connected!
Downtown Farmers' Market volunteers will help with the following: unloading the truck, setting up seating area - including tables and chairs, setting up market booths - including pop-up tents, tables, weights, chairs & signage, assisting with road closure barricades, beautification of Market grounds and any other Market tasks as assigned.
The Downtown Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines returns to the Historic Court District on Saturday, May 3, 2025. It runs every Saturday from 7 a.m. – Noon (May – September) and 8 a.m. – Noon (October). The Market supports farmers, growers and artisan food entrepreneurs from all around the state of Iowa. The Market offers a variety of attractions and activities including shopping for fresh produce, eggs, and meats, eating breakfast, meeting with family and friends, as well as live entertainment.
Volunteer Information:
-Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt to wear during their shift(s) at The Market!
-Volunteers will also receive $5 Downtown Farmers’ Market bucks following the conclusion of their shift (setup volunteer) or the beginning of their shift (teardown volunteer) which can be used at any Downtown Farmers’ Market vendor throughout the season.
-Volunteers must be at least 16-years-old when they report for their shift.
Make sure you wear comfortable clothing and keep in mind that we will be outside through the entirety of your shift.
These can't miss community events need some extra clean-up support! Volunteers will help emptying trashes, putting away equipment, and other general park clean-up.
Assist with a group of kids in our HopeKids (Sunday School) program on the weekend during one of the three services, Saturday 5:00 pm, Sunday 9:30 or 11:00 am
When
Saturday 4:45-6:15 pm, Sunday 9:15-10:45 am or Sunday 10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Where
Lutheran Church of Hope - WDM 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Summer HopeKids is Hope’s version of Sunday School during the summer. Volunteers will assist with an age group (Preschoolers-5th graders) throughout the time of the service. This could include helping check kids in, coloring/playing with them, helping & monitoring group when traveling to different classrooms or with bathroom breaks, passing out and assisting with crafts and games. Lesson plans are provided and there will be adult leaders, so as a “Junior Shepherd” the volunteer is there to assist the leader and make sure kids are being safe while having fun!
Volunteers can sign up for as many dates as they would like, and for whichever service they would like. Please sign up as a Junior Shepherd if under the age of 18.
Student Volunteer: Food Pantry Assistant
Make a Difference. Gain Experience. Serve Your Community.
Are you a student looking to make a real impact while earning service hours, building your resume, or simply giving back? Join us as a Food Pantry Volunteer and be part of a mission that matters.
In this role, you’ll help provide food and support to families experiencing food insecurity. Whether it’s stocking shelves, assisting with bagging groceries, or warmly guiding families through the pantry, your time and energy will directly help people in your community.
What You’ll Do:
Greet and assist families as they navigate the food pantry
Stock, organize, and maintain pantry shelves
Bag groceries and help carry items to vehicles as needed
Create a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for all
Why It’s a Great Fit for Students:
Earn volunteer or Silver Cord hours
Gain real-world experience in service and teamwork
Make a direct, visible impact in your community
Flexible shifts that fit your school schedule
Opportunities to grow into leadership roles like Volunteer Ambassador
No prior experience needed—just a heart for service and a willingness to learn. Join us and help ensure no family goes hungry.
Student Volunteer: Front Desk Receptionist
Be the First Smile. Build Your Skills. Support Your Community.
Looking for a meaningful way to earn service hours, gain office experience, or strengthen your communication skills? Join our team as a Front Desk Reception Volunteer and become the welcoming face of our organization.
In this role, you’ll greet visitors, check in families for appointments, and help schedule services—ensuring each person feels supported from the moment they walk through the door.
What You’ll Do:
Welcome families and visitors with warmth and professionalism
Check families in for appointments and assist with scheduling
Provide general information about programs and services
Help with filing, organizing, and other front office tasks
Maintain a calm, friendly, and respectful environment
Why It’s a Great Fit for Students:
Earn Silver Cord or volunteer hours
Gain valuable experience in customer service and administrative support
Build communication, organization, and scheduling skills
Add professional experience to your resume or college applications
Flexible scheduling available to work around school and activities
No experience necessary—just bring a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a passion for helping others.
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is excited to announce the 2025 World Food & Music Festival returns to Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) on August 22 – 24, 2025.
The three-day event, in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), celebrates food, music, heritage and culture from around the world. And the Festival could not be possible without our amazing volunteers.
Right now, our volunteer sign-up page is now open! Exciting volunteer opportunities include helping in the Cooking Demonstrations tent – with local chefs making delicious meals; assisting in our Adventure Tents – offering samples of candy or fruit from around the world, at the top of every hour; or maybe selling t-shirts and hats in our merchandise tent is more your style. There’s something fun for everyone!
Volunteers receive a t-shirt to wear throughout their shift.
Non-profit organizations, share your volunteer opportunities! To ensure your submission will be accepted, read the Silver Cord posting guidelines before submitting your event.
