Volunteer in Your Local Community

As an annual Salvation Army tradition, we have more than 8,000 bell ringing hours to fill with volunteers each year. Volunteers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $100 per hour – enough to provide a family with groceries for a month. Outdoor and indoor locations are available. Our Bell Ringing Calendar is currently open to the public. Call 507-288-3663 to volunteer to ring the bells or sign up online for a bell ringing shift.

Kettle Drivers replace full red kettles with empty ones. They also put out signs that announce bell ringing groups; check to make sure that bells are present and functioning; and ensure there are Salvation Army aprons at each kettle location. Volunteer drivers make the kettle campaign possible. Shifts start at 7:30 p.m., and it usually takes about 45 minutes to drive one of the four kettle routes in Rochester. Please call Rebecca at 507-288-3663 to volunteer to drive.

Put your computer skills to work to assist area families as they apply for Christmas program assistance. Volunteers work on computers to process program applications for families with limited means by signing them up to receive toys, clothing, or other donated gifts. The program is straight-forward and rewarding; people skills are a must. Click here to sign up to volunteer.

Held at Autumn Ridge Church on Thanksgiving morning every year, this fun-run event raises money to support Salvation Army food and meal programs in the Rochester area. Last year, the event helped us to provide over 21,000 meals. From a 5k run, to an off-road run, to a 2-mile walk, there’s something at this event for everyone! Register to volunteer or to sign up to race.

We are grateful to the many volunteers that have registered to serve this year's Thanksgiving Meal. If you are interested in volunteering on Thanksgiving Day, please consider volunteering for the annual Gobble Wobble (as seen on this page). Community Members are welcome to partake of the meal between Noon and 1pm on Thanksgiving Day at our Caring Partners Adult Day Program Building at 115 NE First Avenue Rochester, MN 55906.

Capture some of the excitement of the holidays by taking an 8- or 9-year-old child shopping. Together you will board a bus and head to Shopko where you will both shop for members of the child’s immediate family. The Salvation Army provides funds for gifts based on the size of the family. Children and volunteers then return to The Salvation Army, where they wrap their gifts and have a snack before parents pick up their kids. This year’s event is on Wednesday, December 6. Click here to fill out an application.

Shoppers, this is for you. Volunteers are paired one-to-one with families to take them shopping through new toys, clothes, books and games donated to the Rochester Salvation Army. The volunteer will assist the parents in finding age-appropriate items and the correct number of items for each child in the family. Click here or call 507-288-3663 to sign up for this volunteer opportunity.

Duties include answering and transferring phone calls, scheduling appointments with Salvation Army case workers, and helping clients to fill out emergency assistance and volunteer applications. One-on-one training will be provided. A background check and Safe From Harm training are required.

When: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Community Center, 20 First Ave. NE, Rochester, MN 55906

Maintenance volunteers are needed to help clean the dining room after our daily served hot meal, doing laundry so that we can provide towels for clients needing showers, cleaning out the landscaping and mowing the lawns. Volunteers for this opportunity truly make it possible for our programs to operate on a daily basis. One-on-one training will be provided. No background check or Safe From Harm training required. Maintenance volunteers may use their time to complete community service requirements.

When: Flexible Schedule, Hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Community Center, 20 First Ave. NE, Rochester, MN 55906

Volunteers are needed to help The Salvation Army Thrift Store accept donations, sort donations, and organize and maintain the sales floor. Volunteers will be directly supervised by the Thrift Store management. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or supervised by an adult.

Length of Commitment: Flexible on a regular and ongoing basis
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. | Saturdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Closed Sunday

We are looking for volunteers who enjoy meeting and working with new people. As a satellite of Channel One Regional Food Bank, we will need you for only a few hours each week, to assist in this important food distribution task. Minimal computer experience and training is required and supplied. Please call 507-288-3663 for more information.

When: Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m and/or 1–4 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Administration building, 120 First St. NE, Rochester

We need volunteers willing to pick up bread from Hy-Vee and Daube's to keep our Bread Shelf stocked. Volunteers are welcome to use our Salvation Army vans to do this pickup if they pass a background check and driver screening. All bread will be delivered to our community center at 20 First Avenue NE Rochester, MN 55906.

When: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Where: Hy-Vee, 500 Crossroads Drive SW Rochester, MN 55902

When: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Where: Daube's, 1310 5th Place NW Rochester, MN 55901

Volunteers help serve the free Christmas Day community meal.

Help is needed at the Good Samaritan Dental Clinic. You will be serving people who are under-insured or uninsured. Help is needed during “off clinic” times, as well as during clinics. Work with like-minded area professionals, students, and retirees. Please call our Good Samaritan Health Clinic for more information at 507-529-4100.
Reception and administrative help may be needed at the Good Samaritan Dental Clinic. Help is needed during “off clinic” times, as well as during clinics. You will be volunteering with like-minded area professionals, students, and retirees. Receptionists are needed Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30 to 8:30pm. Administrative times may vary and can be weekly or monthly.
Please email Pam.Lawrence@usc.SalvationArmy.org for more information.

When: Hours vary. Call for details.
Where: Good Samaritan Health Clinic – Castleview Apartments building, 120 N. Broadway, Rochester

Assist us in increasing the quality of life for adults at the Caring Partners Adult Day Program who are physically and/or mentally challenged through this supportive day program, promoting independence and empowering each client to remain in a community setting. Volunteer to help with daily activities, meals, clean-up or to provide a friendly face to someone special. Download the Caring Partners Adult Day Program Application Form, complete and return the original to our Community Center office, 20 NE 1st Ave., Rochester. Questions? Call 507-288-3663.

When: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.– 4 p.m., flexible.
Where: Caring Partners Adult Day Program, 115 NE 1st Ave., Rochester

Volunteers help serve the free Christmas Day community meal.