Minnesota nonprofits where kids can volunteer

Give Me The Mike’s Serve Our Society series shines the spotlight on amazing Minnesota-based nonprofits.

If you would like to nominate an organization to be featured, please contact mike@givemethemike.com.

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!

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, 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), 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, 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, 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

Also on Give Me The Mike…
20 Minnesota nonprofits providing a platform for the Black community

Loaves & Fishes, 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, 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, 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

Related: How Open Arms prepares and delivers 600,000 free meals a year

Second Stork, 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.

Know of a Minnesota nonprofit offering in-person volunteer opportunities for those under 10? Let me know!

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