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All volunteer activities practice CDC safety guidelines including washing hands, social-distancing, wearing face coverings, and other best practices.
Whether you're volunteering in person or from home, there are countless ways for you to give back and offer the priceless gift of your time. There are opportunities to get involved for individuals, families, schools, organizations and businesses.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities by Location
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! While volunteer opportunities are still limited due to COVID-19, Salvation Army is in need of volunteers for the below activities.
Greeting Cards for Housing Program Residents
- What: During this unprecedented time, it is easy to feel anxious and alone. The intention is to create greeting cards for those in our housing programs to bring a glimmer of hope and joy to their day, and to let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Who: Healthy volunteers of all ages
- Next steps: Please view or download the instructional guide
Hygiene Kits for Individuals or Families Facing Homelessness
- What: Many people who are facing homelessness lack basic necessities. Filling large resealable plastic bags with some basics can be helpful.
- Who: Healthy volunteers of all ages
- Next Steps: Please view or download the flyer with information about items needed and how to coordinate drop-off.
Location: Chicago Lawn Corps
5950 S. Spaulding Avenue
Chicago, IL 60629
Phone: 773-434-0488
Facilities Assistant Volunteers
- What: Volunteers are needed to serve as facilities assistants, helping to keep the building clean and organized. Duties also include painting, cutting grass, and helping in the garden.
- When: Volunteers can create their own schedule during office hours Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm.
- Who: Healthy individuals age 18+ or teens 14-17 with parent supervision
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Dennise Hernandez at 773-434-0488 or dennise.hernandez@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.
Food Pantry Assistant Volunteers
- What: Volunteers are needed to assist with the food pantry. Duties may include unloading food truck, transferring food to kitchen, preparing grocery bags, carrying finished boxes to main entrance for distribution.
- When: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am – 2pm
- Who: Healthy individuals age 18+ or teens 14-17 with parent supervision
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Dennise Hernandez at 773-434-0488 or dennise.hernandez@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.
Location: Chicago Mayfair Corps
5020 N. Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: 773-794-6210
Food Pantry Assistant Volunteers
- What: Assist with food pantry preparation by unpacking bulk food items, stocking shelves, and bagging groceries.
- When: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm or 1:00pm – 3:00pm
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Lt. Nancy Rivera at nancy.rivera@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.
Location: Chicago Midway Citadel Corps
5036 W. 47th Street
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 773-838-8005
Restaurant Driver Volunteers
- What: Healthy volunteers with a valid license are needed to assist in picking up food donations from local restaurants.
- When: Ideal candidate will be available to make pick -ups on Tuesdays after 11am, Wednesdays 9am – 11am and after 1pm, and Fridays after 11am.
- Who: Healthy individuals age 18+ with a valid driver’s license
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Lieutenant Dalvius King-Harvy at 773-838-8005 or dalvius.king@usc.salvationarmy.org, or by registering online.
Location: Aurora Corps
550 Redwood Drive
Aurora, IL 60506
Phone: 630-897-7265
Facilities and Grounds Assistants
- What: Help keep the building and grounds clean and safe by sweeping, gardening, and helping with general building upkeep.
- When: This volunteer opportunity is flexible with shifts available Monday through Friday between 9:30am – 3:00pm
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Captain Gabriela Rangel at 630-589-4001 or gabriela.rangel@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Receptionist
- What: Assist Aurora community by answering phone calls, greeting guests, filing paperwork and making copies.
- When: This volunteer opportunity is flexible with shifts available Monday through Friday between 9:30am – 3:00pm
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+, Bilingual, Spanish-speaking preferred
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Captain Gabriela Rangel at 630-589-4001 or gabriela.rangel@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Location: Belvidere Corps
422 S. Main St
Belvidere, IL 61008
Phone: 815-544-3892
Food Pantry Assistant Volunteers
- What: Healthy volunteers are needed to assist with food distribution
- When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30am – 12:00pm
- Who: Healthy individuals age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Linda Merrow at 815-544-3892 or linda.merrow@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Corps Volunteer
- What: Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks at the corps
- When: This opportunity is flexible with shifts available Monday through Friday between 9:00am – 3:00pm
- Who: Healthy individuals age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Linda Merrow at 815-544-3892 or linda.merrow@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Location: Blue Island (Crossgenerations) Corps
2900 W 127th Street
Blue Island, IL 60406
Phone: 708-332-0100
Food Pantry Assistant Volunteers
- What: Assist with food pantry preparation on Tuesdays or distribution on Wednesdays.
- When: Tuesdays from 9:00am – 11:00am or Wednesdays from 9:00am – 3:00pm
- Who: Healthy individuals age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Michelle Salazar at 708-332-0100 or michelle.salazar@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Kitchen Assistant Volunteers
- What: Help provide lunches to seniors by preparing, serving meals in to-go containers, and cleaning up after distribution.
- When: Monday through Friday from 10:00am – 1:00pm
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Michelle Salazar at 708-332-0100 or michelle.salazar@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Location: Crystal Lake (McHenry County) Corps
290 W. Crystal Lake Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-455-2769
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Assistant
- What: Get trained to assist in emergencies with distribution of food and supplies, providing on-site assistance to those in need, and more.
- When: During emergencies, willingness to be on call
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up for a training to become a certified EDS volunteer by contacting Jeff Pal at 815-455-2769 ext. 16 or jeffrey.pal@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Location: DeKalb Corps
830 Grove Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: 815-756-4308
Food Pantry Assistant
- What: Help in the client choice food pantry by assisting clients, bagging groceries, and stocking shelves.
- When: Shifts available Monday - Friday from 8:30am – 10:30am or 10:30am – 12:30pm, and Thursdays from 4:30pm – 7:30pm
- Who: Healthy individuals age 14+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Erin Andrews at 815-756-4308 or erin.andrews@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.
Location: Emergency Disaster Services
1000 W. Pratt Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 847-709-6700
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Volunteers
- What: The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division Emergency Disaster Services team needs ongoing assistance. We train volunteers to safely assist during disasters, utilizing our canteens to provide food, hydration and emotional/spiritual care to first responders as well as those who have been impacted.
- Next Steps: Click on our website and follow the steps forward. You can talk to our Volunteer Coordinator, Matt Coatar, at 847-709-6621 or email him at matthew.coatar@usc.salvationarmy.org with questions.
Location: Joliet Corps
300 3rd Ave
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone: 815-726-4834
Food Pantry Receiving Assistant
- What: Assist in the food pantry by helping bring donated items inside, organize and stock shelves, and prepare for Monday food pantry distributions.
- When: Shifts available 2nd Wednesday and 2nd Thursday of the month from 10:00am – 1:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Linda Trevino at 815-726-4834 or linda.trevino@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Food Pantry Distribution Assistant
- What: Assist in the food pantry by preparing and taking groceries to clients’ cars.
- When: Shifts available Mondays from 9:00am – 12:00pm for set up, and 12:00pm – 3:00pm for distribution.
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Linda Trevino at 815-726-4834 or linda.trevino@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Location: Rockford & Winnebago County Social Services
416 S. Madison
Rockford, IL 61104
Phone: 815-972-1135
Food Pantry Assistant
- What: Assist in the food pantry by assisting shoppers, collecting food, bagging groceries, and stocking shelves.
- When: Shifts available Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Debby Brown at 815-972-1135 or debby.brown@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Location: Gary-Merrillville Corps
4800 Harrison St
Gary, IN 46408
Phone: 219-887-6588
Facility Assistant Volunteers
- What: Healthy volunteers are needed to serve as facilities assistants, helping to keep the building clean and organized.
- When: Volunteers can create their own schedule during office hours Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm.
- Who: Healthy individuals age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Captain Amanda Keene at 219-887-6588 or amanda.keene@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.
Location: Hammond-Munster Corps
8225 Columbia Avenue
Munster, IN 46321
Phone: 219-838-0380
Building Beautification Assistant Volunteers
- What: Help keep the building clean and safe by sweeping, vacuuming, and helping with general building beautification.
- When: Hours are flexible on Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 3:00pm
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Linda Dove at 219-838-0380 Ext. 204 or linda.dove@usc.salvationarmy.org and registering online.
Office Assistant Volunteers
- What: Help support a variety of programs by answering multi-phone line system, making copies, preparing mail, filing, and performing other administrative duties.
- When: Shifts available Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am – 12:00pm.
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Linda Dove at 219-838-0380 Ext. 204 or linda.dove@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.
Food Pantry Assistant
- What: Assist in the food pantry by collecting food, taking carts to clients cars, stocking shelves, and packing food boxes.
- When: Shifts available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm and Tuesday through Thursday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Who: Healthy adults age 18+
- Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Linda Dove at 219-838-0380 Ext. 204 or linda.dove@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.
If you are interested in volunteering at one of our additional locations when programs resume, you may fill out a volunteer application. This would allow local staff to follow up when volunteer activities resume.
Contact Us
To contact the Divisional Volunteer Resource Office, email us at METVolunteer@usc.salvationarmy.org.
If you would like to join our divisional volunteer list and be notified of future volunteer needs, please fill out our divisional volunteer application.
Sign up to learn about the latest volunteer opportunities with The Salvation Army Metro Division, text VOLUNTEER to 51555.
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