PLHS California Scholarship Federation:
Opportunities for Individual Volunteer Hours
Rachel’s Women’s Center
Program: Provides counseling, shelter, food services, empowerment programs, and safety to women struggling with homelessness, substance abuse, and/or domestic violence.
What You Can Do: Cook and serve monthly lunches/dinners; prepare and distribute food packages; assist with socialization activities; sort and stock clothing rooms.
Notes: Only applicable for female volunteers. Some volunteer tasks may specify ages 16+.
Contact/Additional Information:
Therapeutic Recreational Services (TRS)
Program: Facilitates camps and organized activities for all ages suffering from mild to severe physical and/or cognitive disorders.
What You Can Do: Assist Therapeutic Recreation Services staff in conducting successful recreational experiences for persons with disabilities, including program setup and hands-on assistance at a number of monthly camps and events.
Notes: Background court screening required; ages 13+; required ability to interact with people with various disabilities and special needs.
Contact/Additional Information:
Hot Chocolate Run 15K
Program: Group volunteer opportunity to support a local marathon.
What You Can Do:Aid and cheer on runners by running water stations and helping with set-up/cleanup.
Contact/Additional Information:
San Diego Food Bank
Program:The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 22 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves, on average, 400,000 people per month in San Diego County.
What You Can Do: The San Diego Food Bank relies on individuals and volunteer groups to help us in our warehouse, at food distribution sites, and at Food Bank events. Anyone can volunteer. Training is not required, and there are no time commitments. You may volunteer one time, or on a regular basis. You can assist in cleaning and packaging fresh produce for immediate distribution; inspecting, sorting, boxing, and labeling food donations; or assembling food packages for the Senior Food Program, Moms & Children Food Program, Food Assistance Program, and our Food 4 Kids Backpack Program.
Contact/Additional Information:
International Rescue Committee San Diego
Program: Each year, thousands of refugees are invited by the US government to seek safety and freedom. Forced to flee conflict or persecution, refugees have survived against incredible odds. They step off the plane with next to nothing but their dignity, hope and determination. In San Diego, the IRC helps refugees to rebuild their lives.
What You Can Do: As a volunteer, you can assist the Resettlement Department, Center for Financial Opportunity, and Youth Programs.
Contact/Additional Information:
St. Vincent de Paul Village
Program: The mission of St. Vincent de Paul Village is to end homelessness one life at a time. They achieve their mission by providing outcome-based programs in the spirit of our compassion, respect, empathy, empowerment, and dignity.
What You Can Do: All Volunteers receive training appropriate to the role. You can work as an activity aid, homework tutor, information and referral specialist, life skills volunteer, or meal server.
Contact/Additional Information:
Red Cross San Diego
Program: The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
What You Can Do: Red Cross Clubs are youth service groups that help the organization fulfill its humanitarian mission of preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies. Working closely with our local chapter and a school advisor, club members participate in Red Cross service projects that help their schools, their communities and the world.
Contact/Additional Information:
Episcopal Center, Ocean Beach Homeless Dinners
Program:The Ocean Beach Episcopalian Church hosts dinners for the homeless every second Wednesday of the month.
What You Can Do: You can help cook, prepare, and serve meals at the monthly dinners or donate canned food items.
Contact/Additional Information: Charles Robinson, (619) 291-5947
Hands On San Diego
Digital Calendar Guide to Volunteer Opportunities In San Diego
City of San Diego Volunteer Opportunity Listings
Government Guide to Volunteer Opportunities In San Diego