Places to Volunteer Uptown for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
The 2022 MLK Day of Service is almost here and people throughout the country are rolling up their sleeves to help their community. Are you ready to get out and serve?
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment every January, when Americans across the country step up to make our communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed the Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.
Making time to volunteer for MLK Day of Service is a great way to engage with your community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King. Whether you plan on cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person, or joining in a dialogue on ways to address inequity, foster inclusion, and improve access, honor Dr. King’s legacy through service.
Please join us and others across our city and nation as we take time to invest where it matters the most. Give back to your community this month by preparing and distributing meals, tutoring, writing grants, or providing communications support.
CUIMC's Office of Government and Community Affairs has curated a list of organizations seeking volunteers and below current volunteer opportunities made available by Columbia Community Service.
Volunteer Opportunities
Arts & Minds provides art programming for people with dementia and their care partners. This is an excellent position for anyone interested in community organizing, public health, social work, medicine, arts in health, and anyone interested in making the world a better place.
Role: Promoting the work of Arts & Minds
Responsibilities: Arts & Minds has recently increased the number of programs being offered. They are reaching out to expand their Harlem audience and need help researching Senior Centers, Churches and other houses of worship, and Housing development contacts across Harlem. The volunteer will promote the work of Arts & Minds to community leaders and potential participants. This work can be done remotely at least initially, and later, when it is safe, in person. Tasks may involve crafting effective emails, placing announcements in community outlets, developing social media networks, telephone outreach, etc. Creative ideas are welcome!
Days and Times: Flexible schedule
Special skills or requirements: The successful candidate should have a warm, friendly demeanor that comes across in person and via telephone and email. Excellent general communication skills and a passion for the well-being of older adults are required.
Contact: Email Carolyn Halpin-Healy or call 646-873-0712
The mission of the Bloomingdale School of Music is to provide open and continuous access to high-quality music education, regardless of economic status, ability level, ethnicity, or religious affiliation.
Role: Translation of Bloomingdale School of Music Enrollment Materials
Responsibilities: Translation in Spanish and possibly Chinese of BSM Fall Enrollment materials, including course descriptions and enrollment forms.
Days and Times: Open schedule; work is needed ASAP.
Special skills or requirements: Facility with conversational translations
Contact: Email Lohengrin Velasquez, Director of Student Services
Broadway Community gathers around an open table, believing that the feast of justice, dignity, health, and wholeness is for all people, especially in Morningside Heights.
Role: Soup Kitchen Volunteer
Responsibilities: Broadway Community serves soup kitchen meals three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). On the fourth Saturday of every month, they provide a Food Pantry to those guests in need (currently a to-go prepackaged pantry due to COVID). They rely on volunteers to help with the prep and packing of lunches (due to COVID, they are currently serving the lunches to-go) as follows:
- Sunday through Friday: Prepping of lunches and packing to-go bags.
- 4th Saturday: Packaging food pantry bags for guests.
Days and Times:
- Sundays and Tuesdays: 2:00-6:00pm
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Fourth Saturday of Each Month: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Special skills or requirements: No special skills needed, we welcome all who would like to volunteer (children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult). We do ask that closed-toe shoes be worn.
Contact: Timothy Wotring, Volunteer Coordinator or 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 – Friday from 1:00pm – 7:00pm
Special skills or requirements:
- Working toward completion of a Bachelor's Degree at an accredited 4-year college.
- Must be able to work remotely if COVID-19 causes BHC to shut down its offices physically and/or if they 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: To support the Cathedral Community Cares Clothing Closet
Responsibilities: The volunteer is needed to sort clothing, stack racks, dust shelves, and resort/restock.
Days and Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays only, from 10:30am -1:00pm. Duration of time needed to be determined.
Special skills or requirements: Willingness to do occasional heavy lifting. Volunteers must be vaccinated, and must present a photo ID when entering the premises.
Contact: Email Vanessa Greco, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, or call 212-316-7584.
Common Denominator, a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 stands mission-driven to bridging the math literacy divide for New York City middle schoolers in need, by providing individualized math tutoring and mentorship. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, C/D seamlessly pivoted from a brick-and-mortar program to a virtual online learning platform that continued to provide students with the stability to learn, play, express their feelings and thrive. Their vision is to become the premier organization addressing math literacy in New York City.
Role: Math Tutor
Responsibilities: Use teamwork, games, fast-paced exercises, and real-life examples to help students rapidly improve their math abilities. Work with the same students each week, help assess their skills, and improve in key areas.
1. The Common Denominator curriculum focuses on fundamentals. Math tutors do not need extensive math experience. C/D will provide training and a detailed math curriculum so that tutors are confident in their abilities.
2. Math tutors are required to attend orientations and training sessions to learn about the C/D curriculum, operational processes, and teaching methods. In addition, C/D hosts periodic development sessions throughout the year.
3. C/D tutors attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled weekly sessions. With scheduled holidays, that turns out to be 2 to 3 sessions a month during the year.
Days and Times: Sessions are typically 1-1.5 hours in duration. Programming will begin in October and run through June. More session dates and times may be added.
Special skills and requirements: C/D programming may be conducted over Zoom. Math tutors must have a reliable WiFi connection; their own laptop, desktop, or tablet; a working microphone and camera on their device; and, a quiet space without distraction during sessions.
Contact: Apply through the website. Email Hannah Stewart, Volunteer Program Manager for questions.
Role: Program Assistant
Responsibilities: Administrative Support
1. Assist with a wide range of administrative and programmatic duties.
2. Serve as technical support and admin for all software, supporting program infrastructure.
3. Respond to all text messages, calls, and emails from parents and tutors in a timely fashion.
4. Provide feedback on presentation materials, edit content, and add graphic elements.
5. Compose and/or prepare correspondence, memoranda, forms, newsletters, manuals, and reports using appropriate word processing and spreadsheet tools.
6. Keep organized records of student + tutor matches, as well as any issues or celebrations with regard to program participants (students, parents, tutors).
Days and Times: Sessions are typically 1-1.5 hours in duration. Programming will begin in October and will run through June. More session dates and times may be added.
Special skills or requirements: We are seeking a creative and innovative individual with a full range of program development (i.e. curriculum enhancement, design, and processes) experience and a desire to provide rewarding interactions for volunteers, parents, students, and staff. Must be friendly, creative, proficient in Zoom and Google Meet, experienced with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, have strong leadership skills, and a persuasive communicator.
Contact: Email Hannah Stewart, Volunteer Program Manager
Harlem Educational Activities Fund (H.E.A.F) changes the lives of under-served young people in middle school and continuing in college and beyond through a youth development approach that includes rigorous year-round academic enrichment, social and cultural exposure, and constant individual attention.
Role: Virtual Tutor
Responsibilities: Tutors will support students virtually as they tackle homework assignments and prepare for tests while building supportive relationships that will positively impact their academic achievement. Tutors work with students one-on-one or in small groups over Google Meet or Zoom. Subject areas range from Math, English Language Arts, Physics, Spanish, and Algebra.
Please note: All meeting times below will take place over Google Meet or Zoom
Days and Times:
- Mondays, 4:30-5:15pm - Middle School 8th Grade
- Mondays, 5:30-6:15pm - Middle School 8th Grade
- Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15pm - Middle School 6th Grade
- Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15pm - Middle School 6th Grade
- Wednesdays, 4:15-6:15 pm - High School
- Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 pm - High School
- Thursdays, 4:30-5:15pm - Middle School 7th Grade
- Thursdays, 5:30-6:15pm - Middle School 7th Grade
- Thursdays, 4:15-5:15pm - High School
- Thursdays, 5:15-6:15pm - High School
- College: scheduled on an individual basis between tutor and student
Special skills or requirements: Some College or B.A. (graduate students in Education are also 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 H.E.A.F educational and youth development philosophy.
Contact: Email Kelli Goodman, Director of Career Connections
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: Email Vivan Williams-Kurutz, Founder
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 5:30-7:00 pm.
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: Email 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 5:30-7:00 pm.
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: Email 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 6:00-7:00 pm, 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: Email Massiel Ramos, Managing Director of Program Administration
Lifeforce In Later Years (LiLY) 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: 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.
Contact: Email Paula Seefeldt, Program Director or call 646-734-0182
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: 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 7:30 pm, Fridays at 5:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm 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: Help 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: Help 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
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. They are volunteer activities in Harlem, Monday through Saturday.
Special skills or requirements: All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, and wear clothing that can get dirty, as well as closed-toe shoes, like sneakers.
Contact: Email Erin Williams, Volunteer Manager
Role: Bronx Choice Pantry
Responsibilities: For Choice Pantry (Harlem and the Bronx), volunteers are called upon to assemble packages of produce and shelf-stable items 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 30-pound bags of groceries.
Days and Times: All volunteer opportunities can be found here: Volunteer Hub. We have volunteer activities in the Bronx, Tuesday through Saturday.
Special skills or requirements: All volunteers must all be 18 years of age or older, and wear clothing that can get dirty, as well as closed-toe shoes, like sneakers.
Contact: Email Erin Williams, Volunteer Manager
Role: Harlem Choice Pantry
Responsibilities: For Choice Pantry (Harlem and the Bronx), volunteers are called upon to assemble packages of produce and shelf-stable items for our clients who are all experiencing food insecurity. Volunteers are all required to sanitize, and wear masks and gloves, which we can provide if necessary. We have a hand-sanitizing station in the Pantry, and ask that you be able to stand for 3.5 hours and handle 30-pound bags of groceries.
Days and Times: All volunteer opportunities can be found here: Volunteer Hub. We have volunteer activities in Harlem, Monday through Saturday.
Special skills or requirements: All volunteers must all be 18 years of age or older, and wear clothing that can get dirty, as well as closed-toe shoes, like sneakers.
Contact: Email 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: Administrative Support
Responsibilities: Updating social media, reviewing department of health documents, and school supply orders, etc.
Days and Times: Any day(s) of the week. Purple Circle operates from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm.
Special skills or requirements: administrative and computer knowledge.
Contact: Email Elaine Karas, Executive Director
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 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 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
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
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 10:00 am-4:00 pm
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 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Special skills or requirements: Smile and have fun! Your positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.
Contact: Email Katie Coombs
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 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Special skills or requirements: Smile and have fun! Your positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.
Contact: Email Katie Coombs
Triple F Empowerment’s mission is to inspire, empower, and encourage the young people of Harlem to pursue education and careers in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) fields.
Role: Remote Instruction Support Volunteer(s)
Responsibilities: The individual(s) will provide support during remote instruction sessions by joining video conferences and participating in the science activity.
Days and Times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and/or Saturday afternoons from 2:30-5:00 pm. One person can commit to all four days or multiple volunteers can work together to fill the position.
Special skills or requirements: Volunteer(s) must be fluent in remote learning tools; Zoom and Google Meet. This position is ideal for someone interested in learning how youth programs are operated during this time of social distancing.
Contact: Email Stephanie E. Farmer
WANA Community Center provides support, advocacy and resources to: (1) people seeking safety from oppression and/or bigotry, (2) people facing the debilitating consequences of poverty, including food insecurity, and (3) people facing economic hardship, including housing insecurity.
Role: The WANA Food Programs offer space for volunteers to attend their weekly food pantry and mobile soup kitchen. The shelter for asylum seekers relies on volunteers to support the shelter overnight and help their case management team show clients how to get to appointments and translate whenever needed.
Responsibilities: The WANA community depends on its vibrant, diverse volunteers. From celebrating personal milestones, to making meals together, to tutoring guests in English, and building friendships, not just service opportunities. All of the programs offer space for volunteers with varying responsibilities. If you have a talent, passion, or skill to share, they would love to engage with you!
Days and Times: In-person and remote volunteer responsibilities are available during the following days and times:
- Everyday Overnight Shelter Volunteer, Monday through Friday, 8:00 pm-7:00 am
- Mondays Client Choice Food Pantry Volunteer, Mondays, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
- Friday Movie Night and Hot Meal Soup Kitchen Volunteer, Saturdays, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm
- Saturday Homeless Outreach and Mobile Soup Kitchen Volunteer, Saturdays, 12:00p.m.-2:00p.m
- Saturday Homeless Outreach and Mobile Soup Kitchen Driver, Saturdays, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
- On Call Translator Available via Appointment
- On Call NYC Guide (Support clients by traveling with them to and from essential appointments) Available via Appointment
Contact: Please fill out this: Volunteer Form
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 10:00 am until 6:00 pm
Special skills or requirements: Proficiency in Google Suite, Mac, Microsoft
Contact: Email Jocelyn Perusina or call 212-316-0315
West Side Campaign Against Hunger 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 on 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: 8:30-10:45 am
- Tuesday-Friday: 10:45 am-1:00 pm
- Setting up WSCAH’s onsite distribution:
- Tuesday-Friday: 7:00-9:00 am
- Unloading food deliveries:
- Monday-Friday: 9:00-11:00 am
- Monday: 11:00 am-1:00 pm
- Packing food bags:
- Monday-Friday: 9:00 -11:00 am
- Monday-Thursday: 11:00 am-1:00 pm
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.