Quick Overview: We are working to fight hunger and food waste in Southern California, and we'd love to have you join us.

Mission or Broader Program Description: Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same.

Impact: You will be collecting beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise get thrown away, and donating 100% to local food banks, pantries, and shelters.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join the Volunteer Glean Team to help us collect donations of fresh produce from vendors at your local farmers market and box, sort, and weigh the produce. Volunteers should be comfortable carrying boxes of produce that may weigh up to 40 pounds, but don't need to worry about bringing equipment or transporting the food. Wear comfortable work clothing and close-toed shoes, and bring water to drink. ​​​​​​​

Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.​​​​​​​
* Volunteers under the age of 18 will need to bring and have signed by a parent/guardian a Volunteer Agreement & Release for Minors. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.

**All volunteers must register through the Food Forward website. Sign up here: www.foodforward.org/volunteer.** 

After expressing interest, the opportunity leader will contact you to confirm your participation and provide directions for this opportunity.

Quick Overview: Help beautify and restore the natural flora and fauna of Debs Park. We ask you to join us in removing undesirable weeds and watering our native restoration areas. With your help, we can make Northeast LA a bird friendly community. 

Mission or Broader Program Description: The Audubon Center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. The nature-based education and community programs at Debs Park are designed to engage children and their families in the outdoor world, and to give them a personal stake in its protection by making environmental issues relevant to their lives. The Center is operated by Audubon California, a state field program of National Audubon Society, and is a vital part of Audubon’s national outreach initiative to engage Latino audiences. The Center, which is surrounded by predominately Latino neighborhoods, is a unique gathering place and dynamic focal point for outdoor recreation, environmental education and conservation action.

Impact: We are a field program of the National Audubon Society, one of the oldest conservation organizations in the country. We are situated in the largest piece of public open space in the lower Los Angeles River Watershed. The Center is a vital and unique gathering place for the Northeast LA community. Our mission is to inspire people to experience, understand, and care for the local natural world. 

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join us in and around our native plant nursery where we propagate plants and maintain habitat restoration sites. Activities include watering, weeding, mulching, berm building and repair,  seed collection, processing and sowing, potting, and planting. Learn about native plants and local bird species as you restore important native habitat within more than 17 acres around the center. Put your hands in some soil and bird while you build habitat! We need you, but more importantly, our neighBIRDS need you! 

Requirements: Be sure to bring lots of water, sun protection, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty! Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves, however we will have plenty available to borrow as well. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and dress in layers. Please fill out the downloadable waiver below and bring it with you to your first day.

* Any volunteer under the age of 18 will need to bring and have signed by a parent/guardian a Volunteer Agreement & Release for Minors. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.
 

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.

Vroman's favorite storytime guy, Mr. Steve, shares books with little ones every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the kids' section of the store.

Ages 2 – 7

Quick Overview: We are working to fight hunger and food waste in Southern California, and we'd love to have you join us.

Mission or Broader Program Description: Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same.

Impact: You will be collecting beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise get thrown away, and donating 100% to local food banks, pantries, and shelters.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join the Volunteer Glean Team to help us collect donations of fresh produce from vendors at your local farmers market and box, sort, and weigh the produce. Volunteers should be comfortable carrying boxes of produce that may weigh up to 40 pounds, but don't need to worry about bringing equipment or transporting the food. Wear comfortable work clothing and close-toed shoes, and bring water to drink.

Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

**All volunteers must register through the Food Forward website. Sign up here: www.foodforward.org/volunteer.**

After expressing interest, the opportunity leader will contact you to confirm your participation and provide directions for this opportunity.

Quick Overview: Help beautify and restore the natural flora and fauna of Debs Park. We ask you to join us in removing undesirable weeds and watering our native restoration areas. With your help, we can make Northeast LA a bird friendly community. 

Mission or Broader Program Description: The Audubon Center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. The nature-based education and community programs at Debs Park are designed to engage children and their families in the outdoor world, and to give them a personal stake in its protection by making environmental issues relevant to their lives. The Center is operated by Audubon California, a state field program of National Audubon Society, and is a vital part of Audubon’s national outreach initiative to engage Latino audiences. The Center, which is surrounded by predominately Latino neighborhoods, is a unique gathering place and dynamic focal point for outdoor recreation, environmental education and conservation action.

Impact: We are a field program of the National Audubon Society, one of the oldest conservation organizations in the country. We are situated in the largest piece of public open space in the lower Los Angeles River Watershed. The Center is a vital and unique gathering place for the Northeast LA community. Our mission is to inspire people to experience, understand, and care for the local natural world. 

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join us in and around our native plant nursery where we propagate plants and maintain habitat restoration sites. Activities include watering, weeding, mulching, berm building and repair,  seed collection, processing and sowing, potting, and planting. Learn about native plants and local bird species as you restore important native habitat within more than 17 acres around the center. Put your hands in some soil and bird while you build habitat! We need you, but more importantly, our neighBIRDS need you! 

Requirements: Be sure to bring lots of water, sun protection, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty! Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves, however we will have plenty available to borrow as well. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and dress in layers. Please fill out the downloadable waiver below and bring it with you to your first day.

* Any volunteer under the age of 18 will need to bring and have signed by a parent/guardian a Volunteer Agreement & Release for Minors. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.
 

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.

HOW YOU CAN VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CONNECTION

Each year, our volunteers contribute 5000+ hours, accounting for almost 80% of our services. If you're interested in promoting peace in the lives of foster youth, join our community and bring your knowledge and compassion to those who will truly benefit. It's a truly rewarding experience!

Primarily our volunteers connect with youth on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm in an environment that focuses on creativity, education, life skills building, health and wellness. Under the guidance of our staff, volunteers are given the tools to work one-to-one with youth, developing strong bonds that leave a lasting impression. 

HERE'S A QUICK REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST:

• • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Contribute at least 8 hours a month [2 Saturdays per month] and commit to a minimum of one year of service
  • Obtain Department of Justice clearance
  • Attend both a new volunteer orientation and training

And here's some of the things you'll be doing:

• • Engage, mentor and provide leadership for youth in foster care, ages 4-18 years old
  • Support our educational team in facilitating creative learning onsite and on field trips 
  • Create a consistent, nurturing community based environment
  • Have fun making new friends with like-minded folks!

Vroman's favorite storytime guy, Mr. Steve, shares books with little ones every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the kids' section of the store.

Ages 2 – 7

Dorris Place Elementary desperately needs books for its school and classroom libraries. Please join us for a day of book processing and mural painting. If you plan to paint, please dress appropriately. Our paint doesn't wash out. Food is provided to volunteers without dietary restrictions. Please be prepared to stay until 2 p.m. though we often finish earlier

No groups! Individual and family sign-ups only. 

Please consider donating $10 per volunteer to help offset costs for the day.

For over 20 years, Food on Foot has been assisting the homeless by providing nutritious meals, clothing, work opportunities and ultimately the transition to full-time employment and life off the streets.

As an awesome volunteer, you will help distribute food and clothing to up to 200 homeless and low-income people in Hollywood. Children ages 6 and up are welcome to attend! (All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult).

Volunteering takes place every Sunday from 3:15pm to 5:00pm in our serving location in Hollywood (1625 N. Schrader Blvd).

REGISTER HERE!!!

There's free parking for volunteers at the serving location!

You will also get a chance to meet and hear stories from the homeless participants in our Work for Food program. Graduates from this program leave the streets with a full-time job, permanent housing, a life-skills education, and the confidence needed to make their accomplishments long-lasting.

Volunteer positions require a $25 donation per person.

Your generous gift of $25 will go towards the following:

• The cost of food you will help distribute that day.
• Food gift cards and prizes you will give to the top workers in our Work for Food program.

Up to 200 homeless and low-income people will thank you, and it will be an experience you will never forget.

We are in need of donated clothing!

We are in need of gently used clothing (children to adult sizes), warm jackets, suits, dresses blankets, sleeping bags and backpacks.

All clothes donations are tax-deductible and can be dropped off when you come to volunteer.

Please limit your clothing donations 5 bags' worth of clothing or less.