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Volunteer to Help Coronavirus Response Efforts Image

Volunteer to Help Coronavirus Response Efforts

During this unprecedented crisis, we cannot do it without you.

All volunteer activities practice CDC safety guidelines including washing hands, social-distancing and other best practices. 

The Salvation Army has helped thousands of individuals every week as the lead agency for the City of Chicago’s Feeding Task Force. We also operate food pantries at our more than two dozen community centers throughout the greater Chicagoland area, through which we provide groceries for roughly 3,000 people a week.

The Salvation Army remains committed to Doing the Most Good, especially during this unprecedented crisis. But we cannot do it without you. We urge you to support The Salvation Army’s coronavirus response effort by volunteering at home or at one of our locations listed below.  

Together, we will remind people hope isn’t cancelled. Together, we can keep Doing the Most Good.

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

Face Masks for Essential Staff, Volunteers, and Vulnerable Individuals

  • What: Salvation Army is an essential social service provider during the Coronavirus crisis. To help us maintain best practices with CDC guidelines, we are looking for individuals to get crafty and create home-made face masks for staff and volunteers who are assisting in food preparation and distribution, and for vulnerable individuals.
  • Who: Healthy volunteers who can sew
  • Next steps: Please view or download the instructional guide

Location: Chicago Midway Citadel Corps

5036 W. 47th Street
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 773-838-8005

Food Pantry Assistant Volunteers

  • What: Healthy volunteers are needed to assist in the food pantry by packing boxes, stocking shelves, getting supplies from garage, and bringing food to clients’ cars.  
  • When: Every Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am – 12:30pm and 12:30pm – 3:00pm
  • Who: Healthy adults age 18-59
  • Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Brigitte Robinson at 773-838-8005 or brigitte.robinson@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.

location: freedom center

825 N. Christiana
Chicago, IL 60651
Phone: 312-667-2200

Kitchen Volunteers

  • What: Healthy volunteers are needed to make bagged lunches in the kitchen. The lunches will later be distributed by the mobile outreach unit to those who are experiencing homelessness.  
  • When: Monday through Friday from 1pm – 4pm. 
  • Who: Open to the public, but anyone who would like to volunteer multiple times should fill out a volunteer application. 
  • Next Steps: Reach out to Mimi Hristova at mimi.hristova@usc.salvationarmy.org or at 312-667-2256 for next steps. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity, you can also reach out to the project supervisor and Food Services Manager, Aida Montanez at aida.montanez@usc.salvationarmy.org or at 312-667-2248.

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: First Tuesday and Wednesday of each month
  • Who: Healthy adults age 18-59
  • Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Linda Merrow at 815-544-3892 or linda.merrow@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.

Location: Elgin Corps

316 Douglas Street
Elgin, IL 60120
Phone: 847-741-2304

Food Pantry Assistant Volunteers

  • What: Healthy volunteers are needed to assist in the food pantry with intake, packing food boxes, bringing carts to clients’ cars, stocking shelves, and storing food 
  • When: Every Friday and Saturday from 9:00am – 12:00pm
  • Who: Healthy adults age 18-59
  • Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Kaitlyn Ehler at 847-741-2304 ext. 306 or kaitlyn.ehler@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

location: Gary-Merrillville Corps

4800 Harrison Street
Gary, IN 46408
Phone: 219-887-6588

Food Pantry 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 adults age 18-59
  • Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Cpt. 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

Food Pantry Volunteers

  • What: Healthy volunteers are needed to assist in the food pantry with intake, packing food boxes, bringing carts to clients’ cars, stocking shelves, and storing food.
  • When: Every Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm. 
  • Who: Healthy adults age 18-59
  • Next Steps: Sign up for a shift by contacting Linda Kaste or Captain Brian Clark at 219-838-0380 or brian.clark@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.

Office Assistant Volunteers

  • What: Healthy volunteers are needed to assist in the office with answering multi-phone line system, making copies, preparing mail, filing, and other administrative duties.
  • When: Every Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
  • Who: Healthy adults age 18-59
  • Next Steps: Sign up by contacting Linda Kaste or Cpt. Brian Clark at 219-838-0380 or brian.clark@usc.salvationarmy.org or by registering online.

Additional Volunteer Locations 

Start an Online Fundraiser to Help Coronavirus Response Efforts

If you would like to join our divisional volunteer list and be notified of future volunteer needs, please fill out our divisional volunteer application or email METVolunteer@usc.salvationarmy.org.