Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Around San Francisco

Erynn:  The whole family is invited to help out at the San Francisco food bank location, while limited shifts are available at the Marin location. Warehouse volunteers often sort produce, package bulk foods, put together grocery boxes, and sort donations. Kids can also use the food bank's DIY Lemonade Stand Kit to host their very own fundraiser in the community!

Ages: Warehouse volunteers 11+; Saturdays 8+, Sundays 4+

Erynn:  SCRAP is a creative spot that helps recycle materials into art resources rather than filling up landfills. The collected materials are made affordable to teachers, art organizations, and artists. Volunteers can help accept, sort, and shelve donations, an ideal job for the younger set.

Ages: All, just select "Adults & Children" on the signup form

Erynn:  The Glide Foundation serves meals to local residents 364 days per year and fills all three meal, plus prep, shifts daily. Volunteers are asked to commit to a two-hour time slot when volunteering. In addition to meal prep and serving, volunteers also bus tables, hand out silverware and condiments, and help clean up.

Ages: 12+ for meal prep, 9+ for bagging lunches

Erynn:  Little Brothers is an independent organization that lends volunteers to elderly people all around SF. Volunteers are matched based on common interests, with the goal of them becoming a friend and confidant to their elder.

You can volunteer for the program and bring your kids along to twice-monthly (or more!) visits with your designated elder, and there are opportunities for more involvement and assistance to your person, too.

Ages: All, with a grownup

Alexandra F.:  Volunteers help host monthly birthday parties at homeless and transitional living facilities at partner agencies around Chicago, where all children with a birthday that month are joyfully celebrated along with any children and family members staying at the agency. Families are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer together, setting up, decorating and helping out with party activities, though please note that each community agency may have unique age or other restrictions party by party. Adults 18 and older will be required to complete a background check.

Erynn:  All volunteers are invited to drop in on specific community workdays to help cultivate this 3.5-acre organic garden and take home some free produce! Volunteers are encouraged to take an orientation tour at their first visit, but after that, just bring water, a snack, comfortable clothing, and a willingness to get your hands dirty!

Ages: All!

Erynn:  A variety of programs around San Francisco invite families to help care for the National Parks in the area, including beaches, forest, and trails. All ages can participate in programs like Golden Gate Beaches, Park Stewardship San Francisco, Park Stewardship San Mateo, Presidio Forest and Trail Stewards, and Presidio Nursery. Other programs have age limits of 10+.

Ages: Some programs all ages, others 10 or 15+

Erynn:  The Excelsior Community Food Pantry needs volunteers weekly to help out with operations duties. This includes moving large amounts of food, mostly outdoors.

Ages: All ages can help out, but kids under 11 need an adult to help. Either drop in or email ahead of time for larger volunteer groups (10+).

Erynn:  Although this isn't an on-site volunteer opportunity, it's a way for everyone in the family to truly play a part in helping local youth. Project Night Night assembles packages of blankets, books, and stuffed animals for local homeless children, and families can "adopt" a package, then drop the completed bundle off to a shelter on the Project's shelter list. Kids can also hold their own fundraisers via the Be Awesome Program.

Ages: all

Erynn:  Even the least experienced gardeners among us can join volunteer days and help with composting, planting seeds, pruning, weeding, and tending to vegetable beds. The garden also provides gloves and tools, but you'll need to bring your own lunch if you plan to stick around for the noontime break.

Ages: All

Erynn:  Teens can volunteer to help care for the garden's Children's Garden, a place where young kids can explore nature hands-on, anytime, but the entire family can come out to Bean Sprouts Family Days. On these special days, families can come out and do nature crafts, care for the garden, play games, and explore in the Children's Garden exhibit.

Ages: all

Cost: Bean Sprouts Family Days activities are included with Botanical Garden admission; free for SF city & county residents

Erynn:  Recurring "Renew the Zoo" events invite families to help beautify the horticulture areas of the zoo. All ages can help (must have one adult per five kids) and you should come prepared to get dirty!

For older kids and teens, there are structured volunteer programs for helping restore wildlife habitats, helping with informational talks, and assisting Zoo Teachers during camps for younger kids.

Note that teen programs require an application, orientation, and training and involve a long-term commitment.

Ages: Renew the Zoo all; Teen programs 11+ (varies)