Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners: a community-based grass roots outreach organization serving low-income families, children and individuals in Plymouth, Wayzata, Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Hamel, Medina and Medicine Lake.

952-473-2436

www.IOCP.org

110 Grand Ave. S.
Wayzata 55391

Activities: collect donations for: food shelf, birthday shelf, school supplies shelf (summer months), new baby supplies; help with the holiday program; participate in holiday adopt-a-family program; participate in Bob's Sleep-Out Kick-Off; schedule a tour of IOCP.

Age Level: Collect donations: K-12; Holiday program, adopt-a-family: older girls; Bob’s Sleep-Out Kick-Off: contact IOCP for opportunities such as serving refreshments.

Restrictions: contact IOCP for current needs.

Feed My Starving Children:
Food packaging and distribution program for starving people around the world

Please schedule volunteer opportunities online at www.fmsc.org

6750 West Broadway
Brooklyn Park 55428

990 Lone Oak Road, Suite 124
Eagan 55723

18732 Lake Drive East
Chanhassen 55317

Activities: package food on-site, collect donations of items like hand sanitizer, paper towels, trash bags, paper cups, etc.

Age Level: grades 1-12

Restrictions: adult/child ratio is higher for younger girls, call for specifics; call or check website for current needs.

The Sleep Out (formerly Bob's Sleep Out)

Learn more information.

Sojourner Project:
battered women and children facility which assists women and children in finding refuge, learning about safety planning and options for their future

952-351-4061

www.sojournerproject.org 

P.O. Box 272
Hopkins 55343

Activities: collect donations of: school supplies, toys, socks and underwear (new items for boys, girls and women), paper products (paper towels, paper plates, kleenex and toilet paper); weed the flower garden; older girls can adopt a room and decorate it (with paint, curtains, pictures) or coordinate a day camp for the kids; come up with an idea and brainstorm with Sojourner Project: one group built and stocked bookcases; have a community education speaker talk to your group at the site or offsite.

Age Level: collect donations: K-12; work onsite: older girls, based on ability

Restrictions: street address will be disclosed to those who make arrangements to visit the site; donated clothing must be seasonal due to limited storage; donated toys must be new and nonviolent, donated twin-size bed linens and towels may be gently used; contact site for current needs and items they cannot accept.

Bridging, Inc.:
Extends community resources by distributing free beds, furniture and household goods to people in transition.

952-888-0746

www.bridging.org
e-mail: info@bridging.org

201 West 87th St.
Bloomington 55420

Activities: individual and group activities are customized to meet age level and group size; product drives: collect donations of new/gently used household goods like towels, bed linens, kitchen utensils, silverware, dishes, pans, etc.; schedule a tour; donate Goody Bags filled with items like hand soap, shampoo, facial tissues, etc. High school age and older can work in warehouse; load and unload vehicles; help clients shop; work in the sorting room–unbox, fold, roll items and get them ready to go on shelves; help with database; answer phone, etc. Type of duty depends on person and site needs. Site needs change during the year. A minimum commitment of 20-24 hours for work on site is requested (unless they are trying to complete a project); They encourage longer term volunteering. They track and log hours.

Age Level: product drives: K-12; work on site: grade 9 and older or age 14 and older.

Restrictions: contact Bridging, Inc. for hours, current needs, list of “do and do not accept” list; DO NOT accept: food, clothes, blinds, drapes, file cabinets, king beds, car seats, high chairs, medical equipment, computers, large appliances, humidifiers (mold issue).

Simpson Shelter:
The mission of Simpson Housing Services is to provide shelter and affordable housing with supportive services to homeless women, men, and children. And to assist individuals and families in their efforts to improve their life situation and to advocate for their human and civil rights.

www.simpsonhousing.org

2740 - 1st Ave. S.
Minneapolis 55408

site address for men's and women's shelter and sandwiches (please use the intercom on the 28th Street side of the building to enter). For correspondence, family housing and household donations, contact the office at:

2100 Pillsbury Ave. S.
Minneapolis 55404
612-455-0859

Activities: provide supplies and make 100 meat and cheese sandwiches on-site or off-site; collect donations of: personal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc.); men's, women's, kid's socks, underwear, t-shirts (must be new); towels, wash cloths, sheets, blankets, pillows (new or gently used); be a birthday bag provider: call Simpson Shelter to get the name and age of one or more children in Transitional Housing, provide a bag with items like a cake mix, candles frosting, candy balloons, kool-aid, and a gift costing $10 or less for each child; serve meals on site, heat up and serve  meals with utensils at the shelter; Adopt-a-Family by purchasing and wrapping gifts for a family at holiday time.  Tours are available.

Age Level: collect donations and birthday bag provider: K-12; making meals or sandwiches: all (based on ability).

Restrictions: contact shelter for current needs and their "do not accept" list. No adult/child ratios.

Habitat for Humanity:
building homes for lower income families

612-331-4090

www.tchabitat.org

3001 Fourth St. SE
Minneapolis 55414

Activities: work on-site, supply and serve refreshments on-site, donate Welcome Baskets (clothes baskets full of household items like dish soap, hangers, dryer sheets, etc. Site tours are available.

Age Level: work on-site: must be 14, with supervision; supply and serve refreshments: K-12.

Restrictions: 14 and 15 year olds need one-on one adult supervision, 16 and 17 year olds need one adult per four kids, 18 year olds do not need supervision, but cannot be supervisors; check on need for refreshments.  Contact the office for new donation hours.

Jewish Family and Children's Services of Minneapolis:
provides Chanukah gifts and ritual items to individuals and their families who would not otherwise receive gifts or be able to provide gifts for their families

952-542-4870

13100 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 400
Minnetonka 55305

Activities: collect donations of new, unwrapped toys and gifts for infants, children, teens, adults and seniors; collections can be done all year long, not just at Chanukah time; gifts can be in any price range ($5 to $15 is a common range); a speaker from the organization will talk to your group

Age Level: collect donations: K-12

Restrictions: gifts must be new and unwrapped, toys must be nonviolent; be mindful of items that need to go together such as batteries required for certain toys and CD player required for compact discs, etc.

Kinship of Greater Minneapolis:
Christian-based mentoring program which helps children ages 5-15

612-588-4655

www.kinship.org

3210 Oliver Ave. N.
Minneapolis 55412
(near North Memorial Medical Center)

Activities: color customized birthday cards for kinship participants: call and arrange to pick up cards (to save postage) or have them mailed, then return colored cards in person or by mail; help plan events for participants: games, picnics, harvest party (crafts), science fair, creative ideas; Christmas gift program: adopt-a-family and wrap gifts; help out in “Kinshop,” a shopping spot for kinship siblings; monthly events are available.

Age Level: birthday cards: K-12; events and Christmas gift program: older girls (middle school age and older).

Restrictions: monitor the artwork of younger girls.

Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery:
works in partnership with parents in crisis and the community to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.

763-591-0400 ext. 246 to arrange donations

763-226-2062 to volunteer on-site

www.crisisnursery.org

Two shelters:
5400 Glenwood Ave.
Golden Valley 55422

4544-4th Ave. S.
Minneapolis 55419

Activities: make and deliver kid-sized blankets, host a baby shower to collect items needed; cook and serve meals on-site; share an enrichment activity with children 2-6 years old, like crafts, games, reading, face painting, puppet shows, etc.

Age Level: making blankets, pillows, hand puppets: K-12 (based on ability); cook/serve meals, enrichment activities, room sponsorship: older girls.

Restrictions: Call volunteer services manager 763-226-2062 to inquire about onsite volunteer opportunities (on-site volunteers age 12 through 16 need adult supervision); call 763-591-0400 ext. 246 to discuss making blankets or hosting a donation drive of items needed. Please call to determine current needs for blankets.

Sewing Angels:
supplying home-made blankets to hospitalized kids

651-644-3834
(Call for information on how to deliver blankets; blankets may be delivered in person, my mail or dropped off at participating area quilting stores)

email: godbyquilts@aol.com 

Activities: make kid-size blankets; make thank you cards (4 inches by 5 inches with the inside blank); take a class (for a small fee) to learn how to read a pattern, work with fabric, sew with the supplies provided, and work as a team; make donations of batting, yarn, stamps or other needed items.

Age Level: all (based on ability).

Restrictions: Note: blankets must be free of smoke and pet hair contact Sewing Angels for dimensions and specifications of blankets and delivery information.

Home Northwest:
Household and Outside Maintenance for Elderly; helping senior citizens stay in their homes; serves New Hope, Crystal, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Minnetonka and Hopkins.

763-450-4311

email: homeprogram2@hotmail.com

730 Florida Ave. S.
Golden Valley 55426

Activities: rake, wash windows, get gardens ready for spring and winter, clean basements, paint; Home will match size of job, like raking, to participants’ ages. Call to be matched with a specific date and  job, or get client contact information.

Age Level: K-12 ages as long as there is supervision.

Restrictions: bring your own rakes and gloves, the client will provide bags and cleaning products.

Meridian Manor:
senior citizen assisted living residence

952-473-3200, Activity Director

163 West Wayzata Blvd.
Wayzata 55391

(the website does not detail community service activities)

Activities: do musical performances, visit with or read to residents, plan activities to do with the residents like crafts, making table centerpieces and holiday/seasonal decorations. Older girls can assist with Resident Round-Up (escort residents to programs and seat them for dining, then dine with them).  Call for other activity ideas.

Age Level: K-12, depending on complexity of activity.

Restrictions: keep in mind that the average age of residents is 85, some residents have Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Meals on Wheels:
providing meals to home-bound senior citizens

763-553-7762
Call for mutually convenient meeting site (Carlson Companies, is one) for delivery of handcrafted items

www.mealsonwheels.org
(general information on program)

Activities: make tray favors for 25-30 recipients: refrigerator magnets or holiday/seasonal ornaments to be put with lunches, laminated place mats, napkin holders with plastic fork, knife and spoon (provided by troop), small picture frames.

Age Level: K-12

Restrictions: deliver items to mutually convenient site, make sure items are appropriately decorated for senior citizens.

Hammer Residence:
assisting adults with developmental disabilities

952-277-2427

www.hammer.org

1909 East Wayzata Blvd.
Wayzata 55391

Activities: rake, wash windows of homes of people with developmental disabilities; help at their summer picnic and other events like Make a Difference Day at Hammer; be a telephone companion or write to a Hammer pen pal, play an instrument or sing, plan activities, crafts and holiday decorations with residents, and do gardening in the summer.  Contact Hammer Residence for other opportunities.

Age Level: raking, musical entertainment: K-12, based on ability; window washing, telephone companion or pen pal and events: older girls.

Restrictions: contact Hammer Residence for current needs

Chicano Cultural Center
(Centro Cultural Chicano):
serving a variety of needs to the Spanish-speaking community

612-874-1412

www.centromn.org

1915 Chicago Ave. S.
Minneapolis 55404

Activities: collect donations of: new and gently used unwrapped toys and books, food, school supplies; older girls can read to the pre-schoolers.

Age Level: collect donations of toys, books, food and school supplies: K-12; must be 13 or older to volunteer on site to read to children.

Restrictions: must be 13 or older to work on site; contact the Center for their current needs and holiday time needs, and policy on toys like guns, etc.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Adopt-a-River Program
combat rubbish proliferation along our shorelines of lakes, rivers, wetlands and ravines.

651-259-5620

www.dnr.state.mn.us/adoptriver

500 Lafayette Rd.
St. Paul 55155

Activities: use trash bags and protective gloves furnished by the DNR to collect trash along shorelines of lakes, rivers, wetlands and ravines (both public and private with landowner's permission) and place it at pre-determined collection sites.  Arrange with local officials and/or rubbish removal and recycling agencies and arrange for special permits, if required.  DNR will provide technical assistance including search maps of un-adopted sections and advise on how to do the project safely.  Contact DNR for details.

Age Level: recommended for girls age 12 and older, but can be done with younger girls if there is more intense supervision (possibly stricter than Safety-Wise requirements, depending on age and abilities of the girls and the complexity of the site).

Restrictions: make sure adult/child ratio is adequate for age and abilities of girls and the complexity of the site; up to 80 bags and 30 pair of protective gloves are furnished by the DNR free of charge if you pick them up, but you must pay UPS charges if the bags and gloves are shipped, contact DNR for all details including sites, collection sites, arranging with local officials and/or rubbish removal and recycling agencies and arranging for permission to clean up private property and any special permits, if required.

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys Camps

651-227-8835
800-845-0787

www.girlscoutsrv.org

400 Robert Street South
St. Paul, MN 55107

Activities: clean up and help refurbish camps. Check Leader News for Service Alerts.

Age Level: depends on activity.

Restrictions: contact Council for current needs.

Three Rivers Park District
763-559-6706

for education programs contact 763-694-7718

www.threeriversparkdistrict.org

3000 Xenium Ln.
Plymouth 55441

(various area sites such as French Park, Baker Park, Elm Creek Park, Eastman Nature Center, and Gale Woods Farm)

Activities: park clean-up, other activities based on parks' needs, like wood-chipping trails or prairie seed project; handle a booth, table, or activity at special events like a cross-country run (water station); for Silver and Gold Award projects, there is a packet with phone numbers of people to contact, plus a list of past projects (site needs differ by park), Autumn Woods Classic at Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove; Girl Scouts may qualify for a Health and Fitness Badge. Call for current projects.

Age Level: depends on activity.

Restrictions: 1:10 ratio of leaders to group members under age 16, park clean-up usually in spring and fall, mostly weekdays before 4:30 p.m. (parks generally close at sunset.), some weekend opportunities; currently DO NOT need birdhouses.  Parking is free for private vehicles.  There is a fee for 16 passenger and larger vehicles, but it may be possible to request a fee waiver for community service projects.

Animal Humane Society of Hennepin County: providing care and boarding for ownerless pets

763-489-2220

www.animalhumanesociety.org

845 Meadow Lane N.
Golden Valley 55422

1411 Main Street Northwest
Coon Rapids 55448

Activities: visit Animal Humane Society website for current needs (like towels; litter box filler; animal toys; newspaper with sales ads removed; shredded office paper; pet food and treats for dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats and birds; grooming supplies; and office supplies like sharpies, post-it notes, stamps, etc).
Contact Humane Society for current needs.

Age Level: K-12 (based on ability); must be 14 or older to volunteer on site (requires training + year commitment).

Restrictions: adult/child ratio 1:7 for younger girls, 1:10 for junior high and high school.

Stages Theatre:
presents children's theatrical performances

952-979-1126

www.stagestheatre.org

1111 Main St.
Hopkins 55343

Activities: groups of up to five older girls can usher during plays

Age Level: ushers should be age ten or older (families can participate)

Restrictions: call to arrange a date; arrive 30 to 45 minutes before show time; wear white shirt and black skirt or trousers or wear scout uniform; adult supervision is required for a troop of preferably no more than five volunteers at a time (larger troops can work in shifts or split up and usher at different performances)

United Way 211 (First Call for Help): operates information referrals to community resources

dial 211 from any home phone (not cell) or dial 651-291-0211

Activities: call for a referral to organizations that will accept donated goods and services.