Virtual Festival of Giving 

Doing Good Together (DGT)

Date/Time(s):

Anti-Racist Art Lessons For The Home and Community

Saturday, October 19

12:00 PM Central Time

A live-streamed family workshop providing examples of anti-bias, anti-racist art activities to implement at home and in the community. The lessons shared are designed to empower youth to use their art, actions, and words to create a positive change toward a more just and equitable future.

We Belong: Read Aloud with Author Laura Purdie Salas

Sunday, October 20

2:30 PM Central Time

Live-streamed children's kindness read aloud & activity with Laura Purdie Salas, author of We Belong. This event features an author reading, Q&A, and inspiration to create your own family We Belong poem. 

Location: Virtual events hosted via Zoom.

Ages: The parent webinar will be useful for parents of kids of all ages. All ages are welcome to participate in the Children's Kindness Event, which will be especially appropriate for children 4–10 years old and their families.

Time Commitment: Both virtual events will be one hour.

Join us live for these unique opportunities to meet amazing kindness leaders. Registration is free!

Contact: Registration is open now for both the art lesson with the authors of Anti-Racist Art Activities for Kids and the Read Aloud & Activity with Laura Purdie Salas. For more information or if you'd like to sponsor this event series, contact Leah@doinggoodtogether.org.

www.doinggoodtogether.org

Host a Donation Drive

HOPE 4 Youth

Date/Time: This is a year-round opportunity.

Location: Deliver donations to HOPE 4 Youth Center at 2665 4th Ave, Suite #40, Anoka.

Ages: All ages are welcome!

Time Commitment: Varies.

A donation drive is a great way to support HOPE 4 Youth and can be very flexible in how the drive is organized and when it occurs. Many people choose to host a drive in their neighborhood, in their family, at their local faith-based organization, through sports groups, and more! Simply contact Mari Dahlke to share that you are interested and we have all the materials you need for what to collect and how to spread the word. Don’t have enough time to run a donation drive? We also have virtual drive lists at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

Contact: Mari Dahlke, mdahlke@HOPE4YouthMN.org, 763.323.2066 ext. 118

https://www.hope4youthmn.org

Tie Blanket Donations

HOPE 4 Youth

Date/Time: Blankets can be made at your home or made onsite at HOPE 4 Youth.

Location: HOPE 4 Youth Center 2665 4th Ave, Suite #40, Anoka.

Ages: All ages are welcome!

Time Commitment: Typically 30 minutes per blanket.

Tie blankets are an essential item that we provide for the youth who come to visit us. Families can purchase the supplies to make the tie fleece blankets. You are welcome to make the blankets at home and deliver the blankets to HOPE 4 Youth or you can make them on site during Wednesday morning or specific Saturday mornings.

Contact: Mari Dahlke, mdahlke@HOPE4YouthMN.org, 763.323.2066 ext. 118

https://www.hope4youthmn.org

Mentor a Child

Kids 'n Kinship

Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity

Location: School-based or community-based mentoring in Dakota County, MN

Ages: Mentors are families, couples, or individuals over 21 years old

Time Commitment: Four to eight hours a month, on average. Scheduling is very flexible; weekends, evenings, or after-school times are available.

We believe every child deserves a mentor! If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity in your community where you can make a difference in the life of a child, Kids 'n Kinship needs mentors as we currently have 40 youth on a waitlist waiting for a mentor. Of the 40 youth waiting, 23 have been waiting a year or more. These kids aren't looking for perfection, they're looking for someone like you who can spend a few hours a month with them. We are based in Dakota County, and we serve families in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, and Rosemount. Kids 'n Kinship matches volunteer mentors as families, couples, and individuals with youth ages 5–16 years old in need of additional positive role models. We have three opportunities to mentor: community mentoring, school-based mentoring, and serving as a pen pal for a child currently on our waitlist. Matches are made based on compatible personalities, ages, and interests, as well as the preferences of both the volunteer and the youth with their parent/guardian. Our mentoring families say that mentoring together ensures they have weekly family time and that it's easy to include another child in the family activity, whether it's a board game, sledding, a trip to a park, or going to the zoo or a museum. Kids 'n Kinship offers free passes to several area attractions to make activities more affordable. Additionally, we provide continuous support and training for our mentors. We ask mentors and mentees to commit to one year together in order to build their relationship; however, many of our matches become lifelong friends, and our average match is about two to three years. Please consider being a mentor to a child. It is one of the most life-changing and rewarding ways to volunteer your time. Learn more at www.kidsnkinship.org.

Contact: Silas Means, Jr., volunteer@kidsnkinship.org.

www.kidsnkinship.org

Welcome Home Baskets!

Agate Housing and Services (formerly St. Stephen's/House of Charity)

Date/Time: Ongoing need.

Location: To drop off items, reach out to Abigail Abele at 612.715.0449 (text or call) or by email at abigail.abele@agatemn.org.

Ages: Everyone can help.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Collect and donate the supplies your neighbors need to be successful in stable living! We have a variety of housing teams that help our unhoused neighbors get into a place they can call home. Welcome Baskets support people transitioning from homelessness into their own apartments and homes. We have a number of off-site housing programs and teams like Housing First, Family Rapid Rehousing, Single Adult Supportive Housing, and more that support individuals transitioning out of homelessness. These baskets provide those individuals with the things they need to get started in a home such as dishes, pots and pans, a broom, etc. Here is our current supply list:

• Laundry basket.
• Sponges.
• Dish soap.
• Laundry detergent.
• All-purpose cleaners and other cleaning supplies.
• Paper towels.
• Toilet paper.
• Broom and dustpan.
• Garbage bags.
• Mop and floor cleaner.
• Shower towels.
• Cookware.
• Shower curtains.
• Disinfectant wipes.
• Collapsible clothing hamper.
• Dryer sheets.
• Shower curtains.
• Dishware.
• Utensils.
• Non-perishable foods.
• Microwavable meals.
• Snacks.
• Personal hygiene supplies.
• Fan.
• Air freshener.

Feel free to include bonus items you think might be helpful. You do not need to include everything on this list to make a Welcome Home Basket. If you include any food products in baskets, note that they must be unopened and before their best by, use by, or expiration dates. We also accept and greatly appreciate individual donations of any of the listed items. If you would like to add any notecards, messages, or items that are not listed above, you must text, call, or email Abby, at 612.715.0449 or abigail.abele@agatemn.org before donating to ensure that the Donation Center can accept them. Thank you so much!

Contact: Abigail Abele (Volunteer and In-kind Coordinator) by text or call 612.715.0449 or by email at abigail.abele@agatemn.org with any questions, or to schedule a drop-off directly.

https://agatemn.org

Thrift Store Volunteers

Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores

Date/Time: Volunteer shifts are available every day: 10 a.m.–noon, 1–3 p.m., and 4–6 p.m.

Location: Arc’s Value Village has locations in Bloomington, New Hope, and Richfield.

Ages: Families with children eight years old and older are welcome to volunteer.

Time Commitment: Volunteer shifts are two hours. You can volunteer one time or on an ongoing basis.

Make a difference in your community by volunteering at Arc's Value Village thrift stores. Unpack, sort, and price great donations, or stock and beautify the sales floor. Volunteering at Arc’s Value Village benefits The Arc Minnesota and its mission of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. You will also learn how your efforts support our mission and our community! Volunteer opportunities are available at our store locations in Bloomington, New Hope, and Richfield! 

Contact: Michelle, 952.920.0855, volunteernow@arcminnesota.org. Registration is available online. No walk-ins are allowed; all volunteers must sign up ahead of time. Questions? Send an email to the volunteer department at VolunteerNow@arcminnesota.org or call 952.915.3670.

www.arcsvaluevillage.org

Food Packing

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)

Date/Time(s): Multiple dates and times, see the website for details. 

Location(s): FMSC has Minnesota packing locations in Chanhassen, Coon Rapids, Eagan, and MobilePack events across the state.

Ages: Families with children as young as five years old may participate.

Time Commitment: Two–hour shifts.

Are you looking for a meaningful holiday volunteer opportunity for your family? Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian nonprofit that provides nutritionally complete meals that are specifically formulated for malnourished children. FMSC offers volunteers a one-of-a-kind experience. Volunteers hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags, which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets, and shipped to partners around the world working hard to reach the neediest children. Through volunteering at FMSC, volunteers get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference, today.

Contact: Registration is available online. For questions about volunteering or registering to volunteer, please refer to the FAQ page. If you have questions that are not addressed on the website or FAQ page, please contact the following: general inquiries at info@fmsc.org, or 763.504.2919. For volunteer and registration questions, registration@fmsc.org or 763.951.7306.

www.fmsc.org

Meal Service Volunteers

Loaves & Fishes

Date/Time(s): Check individual sites for dates and times.

Location(s): Loaves & Fishes meal sites are located throughout the metro area.

Ages: At Loaves & Fishes, we appreciate and support youth involvement in community service and the opportunity to expose youth to a condition of life different from their own. Our youth participation guidelines help provide a safe and efficient work environment while maintaining the dignity of our guests. The following age breakdowns are suggested best practices. However, because each meal site is different, Site Coordinators may make exceptions at their discretion and with parental input and permission.

• Volunteers 15 years old and younger may handle cold food and cold beverages.
• Youth ages 13 to 15 years old must have one adult for every five youths for supervision purposes.
• Youth ages 12 years old and under need to have direct one-on-one supervision. 
• Volunteers must be 8 years old or older.

Time Commitment: Typically, two to three hours.

For 41+ years, Loaves & Fishes has served free, healthy meals to Minnesotans where the need is greatest. Today, we are the largest free restaurant in Minnesota. We serve urban, suburban, and rural communities through a variety of meal programs supported by creative food sourcing and food rescue efforts.

Loaves & Fishes has opportunities for individuals and small groups to help package and serve meals at our various meal sites. No experience is necessary; our site coordinators will walk you through everything. Loaves & Fishes Minnesota is not a religious organization; we serve without regard to religious perspective and do not engage in activities that promote any particular religious cause.

Meal Site Cooking volunteers assist with cooking a pre-planned meal under the guidance of the site coordinator and help package meals for distribution.

Meal Site Serving volunteers continue to package and distribute meals, clean up during distribution and at the end of the evening, and do dishes throughout the serving period.

We also have opportunities for individuals and small groups to help at our Commissary Kitchen, preparing food for distribution at our various meal sites. As with our meal sites, no experience is necessary. 

Commissary Prep volunteers will prepare and package food/meals and will likely be working with raw meat.

For more information on Loaves & Fishes visit https://www.loavesandfishesmn.org.

Contact: Director of Volunteers and Outreach, 612.377.9810, volunteer@loavesandfishesmn.org. Please check this link to search for a meal site based on location or day of the week. Whether to prep and/or to serve, simply find a date (or dates) that work for you and sign up. You will receive a confirmation email soon after signing up.

https://www.loavesandfishesmn.org

Meal Preparation, Packaging, or Packout for Deliveries and Shipping Volunteers Needed

Open Arms of Minnesota

Date/Time: There are a variety of shifts available.

Location(s): 

• 2500 Bloomington Ave. S, Minneapolis.
• 380 E. Lafayette Frontage Rd., St. Paul.

Ages: Families with children ages eight years old and older are welcome to volunteer. Click here for more information on age requirements and adult-to-youth ratio.

Time Commitment: Two hours per shift.

Families with youth are welcome to help with the following volunteer opportunities.

Meal Prep and Packaging: Youth are welcome to help us in the kitchen with scooping cookie dough, making Jell-O, and packaging cookies for our clients' weekly meal deliveries.

Packout for Deliveries and Shipping: Youth are welcome to help us pack bags or boxes for our client’s weekly meal deliveries. Submit online applications for each adult and youth interested in volunteering. After attending orientation, you may sign up for kitchen shifts as often as you’d like. Learn more about us at www.openarmsmn.org.

Please stay home if you or someone in your household are sick or have been sick recently.

Contact: Questions? Contact us at volunteer@openarmsmn.org. To get started, visit https://openarmsmn.volunteerhub.com/.

www.openarmsmn.org

Meal Delivery

Open Arms of Minnesota (Background check required)

Date/Time(s): Weekdays, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

• Monday–Wednesday deliveries serve the greater West Metro area and are labeled MPLS. These routes pick up meals at our Minneapolis location.
• Thursday and Friday deliveries serve the greater East Metro area and are labeled STP. These routes pick up meals at our St. Paul location. 

Location(s):

• MPLS: 2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis.
• STP: 380 E Lafayette Frontage Rd, St. Paul.

Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer. The driver must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license.

Time Commitment: One to two hours per shift. After you've attended a new volunteer orientation or completed our online orientation and completed a background check (driver only), you may sign up to volunteer. There is no minimum time commitment. You can volunteer once, regularly, or as often as you are available. Each route will usually have 4-8 stops and will take approximately 1-2 hours to complete.

Volunteer to deliver meals to our clients and help Open Arms bring nourishment to people who need it most. Open Arms delivers homemade food to approximately 1,200 clients every week across the Twin Cities, using healthy ingredients, free of charge. Pick the delivery route that suits you and your family best. Enjoy complimentary refreshments on your journey!

Contact: Questions? Contact us at volunteer@openarmsmn.org. To get started, visit https://openarmsmn.volunteerhub.com/.

www.openarmsmn.org

Fall Yard Clean Up

DARTS

Date/Time: Once the leaves fall! Mid-October through late November.

Location: Yards are located throughout the Twin Cities' southeast metro area.

Ages: Families and groups are welcome to participate! Children must be age six and older to join in.

Time Commitment: One to three hours per yard. Time commitment is dependent on yard size.

Make a difference in just one day! Spend 1-2 hours volunteering with your family or friends to clean up the yard of a senior in your community this fall. Give an older homeowner yard help, community connections, and homeowner pride. You will get a team-building experience for your group, exercise, and a FUN time to be proud of as you make a difference in your community.

Contact: Linda Engelken, linda.engelken@darts1.org, 651.234.2254.

https://dartsconnects.org/

Help Seniors in Your Community with Yard Cleanup

HOME Program of Senior Community Services (SCS)

Date/Time: Hours are flexible, you choose the date and time that works for you! October 22 through November 20 is best.

Location: The exact location in Minneapolis or suburban Hennepin County is TBD, depending upon where the senior lives. We cover Minneapolis and most of suburban Hennepin County. Let us know where you would like to volunteer! We especially need volunteers in Minneapolis and nearby suburbs such as Brooklyn Center, Richfield, Bloomington, and Brooklyn Park.

Ages: Families with children ages seven years old and older are welcome to volunteer.

Time Commitment: Two to four hours is typical, but volunteer for the day if you like!

Enjoy the nice weather and volunteer in your community! Volunteers help seniors stay safely in their homes by providing help with outdoor chores, like weeding or raking, that they are unable to do themselves. We do our best to schedule you at homes in the areas that are geographically convenient to you. This is a great group activity, and you can choose the date and time that is convenient for you! If possible, we ask that you bring your own rakes and gloves. Homeowners will provide bags and will be home when your group volunteers. Thank you for considering our volunteer opportunity and helping a senior in need.

Contact: For more information please contact Mindy Anderson, scsvolunteer@seniorcommunity.org or 952.767.7894.

www.seniorcommunity.org

Giving Factory Direct by Cradles to Crayons 

Date/Time: Year-round.

Location: Virtual.

Ages: Everyone can participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Giving Factory Direct matches you with a child experiencing clothing insecurity and provides a pre-paid UPS shipping label so you can ship clothing directly to a child who needs it. 

How It Works: Create an account to let us know what size and gender of clothing you'd like to give, and you will be matched with a child at one of our verified nonprofit partners. Giving Factory Direct serves children ages 0-12 living in homeless or low-income situations, and accepts new or gently-used clothing in sizes newborn to adult medium. 

When donating, please use Group Code DGT2024 

Contact: Email support@givingfactorydirect.org with any questions, and register online today! 

https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/givingfactorydirect/ 

Come Help Us Clean and Refurbish Gently Used Bikes

Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN

Date/Time(s): Click here for available volunteer shifts. Volunteer shifts run Monday through Saturday. We have shifts for all levels, six days a week, with no experience necessary.

Location: 11210 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka.

Ages: The minimum age to volunteer is 12 years old, and volunteers under 18 years old must be with a chaperone and bring a signed waiver. One adult can chaperone up to three youth volunteers.

Time Commitment: Volunteer shifts are a minimum of three hours.

Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN is a nonprofit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. The public donates gently used bikes, we organize thousands of volunteers to clean and refurbish them, and then we give them away to kids in need. Because of the work of our amazing volunteers, we expect to give away 3,000 bikes this year. We love folks with mad bike repair skills, but if you and your family members are handy with rags, we can put you to work. This is a super fun way for a family to volunteer together. The more the merrier! No experience is necessary. Help us share the joy of having a bike with more kids!

Contact: volunteer@fb4kmn.org or visit our website to sign up!

www.fb4kmn.org/

Coat Drive

One Warm Coat

Date/Time: Flexible.

Location(s): Click here for a list of where you can drop off coat donations in your local area.

Ages: All ages can participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

One Warm Coat is the only national non-profit organization focused on coat drives. One Warm Coat supports individuals, groups, companies, and organizations across the country by providing the tools and resources needed to hold a successful coat drive. Coats are distributed in the communities where they are collected, to children and adults in need, without charge, discrimination, or obligation. Your family can help by holding a Warm Coat Drive or by donating coats.

Contact: drives@onewarmcoat.org or call 415.718.1887.

www.onewarmcoat.org

Home For Good 2024

Greater Twin Cities United Way

Date/Time: Now through November 1. Supplies can be dropped off at the Bremer locations listed below during business hours. Please note that all Bremer Bank locations will be closed for a Federal Reserve Bank Holiday on Monday, October 14.

Location: A collection box will be placed inside the lobby at the following Bremer Bank locations during open business hours. If you are not able to drop off your donations at a Bremer Bank location, please select “Scheduled drop-off: Greater Twin Cities United Way,” on your signup form, and Volunteer United will reach out to you to coordinate a drop-off at United Way’s office at 404 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

• 5540 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center.
• 1995 RahnCliff Court, Eagan.
• 6900 France Ave S, Edina.
• 8555 Eagle Point Blvd, Lake Elmo.
• 3415 Vicksburg Ln N, Plymouth.
• 1715 County Road B2 West, Roseville.
• 7924 Highway 7, Saint Louis Park.
• 423 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul.

Ages: Everyone can participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Each year, thousands of households in the greater Twin Cities area transition from homelessness to housing, but lack the everyday resources needed for a safe, stable home. Join Greater Twin Cities United Way’s Home For Good initiative and help ensure families moving into stable housing have the essentials they need — towels, kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, hygiene necessities, blankets, and more — to thrive in their new home. Your family can help by collecting essential items, assembling home essential packs, and/or making tie-fleece blankets. Click here for more information and directions on how your family can participate.

Contact: volunteerunited@gtcuw.org. Click here to sign up for projects.

https://www.gtcuw.org/volunteer/home-for-good/

Holiday Stockings for Heroes

Soldiers' Angels

Date/Time: Collection dates run from October 1–December 7.

Location: Stuffed stockings must be sent or delivered to the designated address you selected via our online profile no later than December 7. Please note that participants are responsible for any and all shipping costs.

Ages: Everyone can participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

The holiday season can be especially difficult for active duty Service Members, Guard and Reserve members, and Veterans in VA Hospitals. Nothing can replace the sense of being with loved ones during the holidays, but receiving a stuffed holiday stocking will help to brighten the spirits of deployed service members and veterans. Your family can help by participating in the Holiday Stockings for Heroes program. It's easy to help! Collect items from this list of suggested items, stuff the items into holiday stockings, and send your finished stockings to Soldiers' Angels. Deployed Service Members love to receive homemade cards, drawings, and creations from children inside their stuffed stockings! Learn more here.

Contact: stockings@soldiersangels.org. Click here to sign up to donate stockings.

https://soldiersangels.org/

Gala Volunteer Opportunity

Fraser

Date/Time: Friday, November 1. There are a variety of volunteer shifts. 

Location: Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot.

Ages: Volunteers need to be 16 years old or older.

Time Commitment: Two to eight hours depending on the volunteer shift.

Fraser is Minnesota’s largest provider of autism and early childhood mental health services. Our annual gala, themed "A Story from Yellow to Blue: A Journey Inside You," focuses on emotional exploration and support for those in need. Volunteers play a key role in the success of this fundraising event, which helps provide crucial resources for individuals and families facing autism, mental health challenges, and special needs.

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Guest registration (4–6:30 p.m.)
• Greeters (4– 6 p.m.)
• Coat Check (4:15–8:30 p.m.)
• Mobile bidding and Silent Auction assistance (4:15–6:30 p.m.)
• Wine Pull (4:30–6:30 p.m.)
• Live Auction and Fund-a-Need (FAN) (6:40–8:30 p.m.)
• Merchandise Packing and Checkout (6:40 p.m.– last guest checkout)
• Tear Down (8–10 p.m.)

Contact: Volunteers can sign up by reaching out to Hannah, at hannah.watson@fraser.org.

https://www.fraser.org