This question was posed on my Facebook page: where can kids younger than 10 volunteer in-person?
Minnesota is blessed to have an array of nonprofits, but if you’re looking for an organization where the whole family can participate, it’s a bit more challenging.
Thanks to your suggestions, I compiled this list of organizations who accept the tiniest of philanthropic crusaders. Know of a nonprofit not listed? Let me know by filling out the form at the bottom of this page!
Minnesota nonprofits where kids under 10 can volunteer
During the COVID-19 pandemic, face coverings are required at all of these volunteer opportunities, unless noted. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Arc’s Value Village
- Where: Bloomington, New Hope, Richfield
- Age minimum: 8
- Time commitment: 2 – 3 hours
- What: volunteers help unpack, sort, tag and sticker donations, hang and tag clothing, stock the sales floor, etc.
- Must sign up ahead of time online, emailing volunteerNow@arcminnesota.org or calling (952) 915-3670
Every Meal (formerly The Sheridan Story)
- Where: Roseville
- Age minimum: 8
- Time commitment: 2 hours
- What: volunteers help pack bags of non-perishable food
- Must sign up ahead of time online, emailing hdaniels@everymeal.org or calling (612) 412-4417
Feed My Starving Children
- Where: Chanhassen, Coon Rapids, Eagan
- Age minimum: 5
- Time commitment: 2 hours
- What: volunteers hand pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and other vitamins into bags which are sealed and placed into boxes and shipped to children around the world
- Must sign up ahead of time online, emailing registration@fmsc.org or calling (763) 951-7306
Kids ‘n Kinship
- Where: Dakota County (Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, Rosemount)
- Age minimum: all ages
- Time commitment: 1 – 4 hours per week; minimum 1 year commitment
- What: Kids ‘n Kinship is a mentoring program, which will pair a family with a youth aged 5 – 16
- Matches meet in-person at their own comfort level in regards to COVID-19
- Get started here, by emailing volunteer@kidsnkinship.org or calling (651) 301-8264
Loaves & Fishes
- Where: Aitkin, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Crystal, Eagan, Farmington, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Marshall, Minneapolis, Plymouth, Richfield, Saint Paul, Shakopee
- Age minimum: 8
- Time commitment: 2 – 3 hours
- What: package and serve meals
- Must sign up ahead of time online, emailing volunteer@loavesandfishesmn.org or calling (952) 223-7223
Meals on Wheels
- Where: Twin Cities metro
- Age minimum: all ages (requires adult with driver’s license)
- Time commitment: approximately 11:00 am – 1:00 pm weekdays
- What: deliver meals
- They are currently looking for on-call volunteers which you can up to be online
Open Arms of Minnesota
- Where: Minneapolis and Twin Cities metro
- Age minimum: 6 to volunteer at an organic farm, 8 to volunteer in the kitchen
- Time commitment: 2 hours, plus one-time, one-hour orientation
- What: prepare or deliver medically tailored meals
- Must sign up ahead of time online, by emailing volunteer@openarmsmn.org or calling (612) 872-1152
Second Stork
- Where: Saint Paul and Twin Cities metro
- Age minimum: all ages
- Time commitment: 90 minutes
- What: pack essential care items provided to new parents; deliver packs to hospitals
- Learn more on their website
Additional ideas
- Food shelves will gladly welcome young volunteers. Check with the one in your neighborhood.
- Check with your child’s school. The school might have a partnership with an organization.
- Contact nearby senior centers or nursing homes.
- Have your kids collect hygiene items and make kits for a nonprofit. Make sure to check with the organization before you start collecting so you gather what they need.
- Head to a Special Olympics Minnesota event and cheer on the athletes!
- Check out Doing Good Together, which lists volunteer opportunities for families. You can also subscribe to receive their ideas every month.
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