National Volunteer Week 2022
One of The Salvation Army’s favorite times of year is here: National Volunteer Week, which runs April 17–23. Sign up to volunteer now.
“We love National Volunteer Week because it allows us to celebrate our amazing volunteers and encourage others to join our mission,” said Haley Nelson, volunteer services director for The Salvation Army Northern Division. “We adore our volunteers.”
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our mission, allowing us to provide food, shelter and care for nearly 735,000 people annually in Minnesota and North Dakota.
The volunteers below are just a few of the 29,000 volunteers who give their time to The Salvation Army Northern Division. Click on each name for a closer look at their unique and amazing stories about why they volunteer for The Salvation Army.
- Hannah Field is revitalizing our 'Echelon' young professionals group
- Donna Svendsen knows the power of volunteerism
- Darius Mister calls The Salvation Army his 'home away from home'
- Elanore Forbes, Cindy Gehlsen and Michelle McConnel make a tradition out of spreading joy
- Marie Putnam has given 4,500 hours in 15 years
Get involved
You too can feel the joy of helping others by signing up to volunteer for The Salvation Army.
Right now, our most pressing need is for food volunteers to help at any of our 27 food pantries in Minnesota and North Dakota. Activities include stocking shelves, helping guests pick out food, and more.
“Any amount of time you can give will help, whether it’s one hour or many hours,” Nelson said.
Your gift of time will help people like Carolyn (pictured), a hard-working mother and grandmother in St. Paul. (Read Carolyn’s story.)
“I’m grateful for The Salvation Army,” she said. “I appreciate them being here to help people like me and my family.”
Other Salvation Army volunteer opportunities run the gamut. Common activities include:
- Disaster relief: Providing food, water, and comfort for survivors of floods, fires, and other disasters.
- Salvation Army Stores: Sorting donations, organizing floor spaces, and cashiering. Store proceeds fund critical Salvation Army services in your community.
- Group activities: Opportunities are available for businesses, churches, and other organizations to mobilize and make an impact. Projects include food distributions, donation sorting, cleaning, painting, event support, and much more.
Additional volunteer opportunities abound. Check out our volunteer page to find activities near you and sign up.
“Please get involved,” Nelson said. “Your help is sure to change somebody’s life for the better.”
National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 by President Richard Nixon as a way to recognize volunteers and spur to others to get involved.
Please join The Salvation Army by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer. With your help, we can show families in need that there is Love Beyond their most difficult hardships.