Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Around Phoenix

Volunteering with the United Food Bank in Phoenix helps provide meals to families and individuals facing food insecurity across Arizona. Families with kids as young as five are invited to volunteer to sort and pack food and assemble emergency food bags. It’s a rewarding way to give back, strengthen the community, and make a real impact on hunger relief efforts.

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue is one of the few pet rescues in the Valley that allows children under the age of 16 to be a part of their volunteer programs. They recognize the importance of instilling the values of compassion and responsibility at a young age, which is why kids ages 7 to 15, who are accompanied by a parent, can volunteer with their dogs and cats. 

The Arizona Humane Society’s youth programs teach compassion, responsibility, and kindness toward animals through interactive and educational experiences. Programs like Read Fur Fun allow kids to read to shelter pets, helping improve their reading skills while comforting animals awaiting adoption. These opportunities inspire young people to become advocates for animal welfare and build empathy through hands-on learning.

As an FMSC volunteer, you’ll 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 incredible partners who distribute the food to children who need it around the world. Through volunteering at FMSC, you’ll get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift.

Volunteering with The Welcome to America Project helps support refugees as they begin new lives in the United States. Volunteers assist by delivering donated furniture, household goods, and essentials to newly arrived families, helping them feel at home. The experience promotes cultural understanding, compassion, and community connection for both volunteers and the families they serve.

The Valley of the Sun United Way strives to end poverty, hunger, and homelessness in central Arizona. There are many volunteer opportunities available through United Way and its partner agencies, including projects that can be completed at home or at various community locations. Sample family-friendly volunteer opportunities include wrapping gifts for holiday toy drives and sorting books and food for distribution.

MORIAH Cooperative provides guidance and support services for children with special needs and their families in the development of interpersonal communication, relationship development, and exposure to learning. They match peer mentors with children (having varying special needs) to communicate and model typical age-appropriate and respectful behavior with their peers in a fun, structured environment.

Youth volunteering at Ryan House in Phoenix offers a meaningful way to support children with life-threatening conditions and their families. Young volunteers help with recreational activities, special events, and creative projects that bring joy and comfort to patients. Through their service, they learn empathy, compassion, and the importance of giving back to their community.

Youth for Troops provides family-friendly community service opportunities for all ages with a goal to support veterans and deployed service members. Volunteer opportunities could include assembling care packages, writing appreciation cards, decorating boxes, making plastic mats, and holding flags for patriotic events and funerals.

With a wide range of services across the Valley, there are many ways to share your time, talent, and skills. Explore various service opportunities and find the right fit, whether you are volunteering alone, with your family, or with a group!

Volunteering with St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix helps fight hunger by providing meals to individuals and families in need across Arizona. Volunteers assist with sorting, packing, and distributing food donations in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Their efforts make a direct and meaningful impact on reducing food insecurity and supporting the local community.