Take Action—GO
Local Serves
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! —Isaiah 52:7
Here are some amazing opportunities to serve others in our local communities. We're excited to contribute to making a positive impact!
Arrive Ministries
About: A ministry to help carry out God’s command to welcome and bring lifelong transformation to refugees and immigrants in Minnesota.
Tasks: Provide a full refugee welcome kit of supplies for a newly arriving family; Commit to befriending and coming alongside a refugee family for a one-year commitment; Organize their donation room.
Contact: Visit volunteer@arriveministries.org
Location: Richfield
Breakthrough Ministries
About: Breakthrough is an organization of compassion that is led to minister to the homeless as well as people afflicted by extreme poverty. But not exclusively, as we know the lost exist in every segment of society. Regardless of where they might be, as led by the Holy Spirit, we search for people of peace who feel hopeless in their circumstances and have nobody to turn to for help. Often, we find them lost, scared, lonely, hurting, and in desperate need of encouragement. Most are in Spiritual Darkness, not knowing or experiencing the love and forgiveness Jesus wants them to have. As we get to know them, we build relationship and naturally provide the most important human need – love. Love opens the door for them to discover God and as they do, God begins to reveal to them their destiny as His son or daughter. They become part of our family, and more importantly part of God’s family as they learn what it means to follow Jesus and become His disciple. And guess what? They join the team and do what they were taught – the Kingdom expands.
Tasks: Three hours serving food downtown Minneapolis
Contact: Ellie Martin (Volunteer Coordinator), martinellie53@gmail.com
Location: Minneapolis
CEAP
About: CEAP (Community Emergency Assistance Programs) is a community-based, non-profit agency dedicated to providing food assistance, housing assistance, senior services, children’s programs, and more to those in need.
Tasks: Grocery packing, curbside grocery pick-up, food receiving/sorting, special holiday projects.
Contact: Visit ceap.org/get-involved/ or call 763-450-3679.
Location: Brooklyn Center
Cedar Valley Food Shelf (Food in the 'Hood)
Cedar Valley Food Shelf (Food in the 'Hood)
About: Our food program is a client-choice food shelf–come on in and choose the items you need. Receive high-quality essential grocery items and a delicious meal on the spot.
Tasks: Sort food, place groceries on tables, help guests get groceries, serve food, bus tables, run carts, load cars and assist with clean up.
CV Contact: Jonas Sjostrom, jonas@cvchurch.org
Location: Cedar Valley Church
Cornerstone
About: A network of domestic violence and sexual assault community programs. They provide resources and support to people in our community in crisis.
Tasks: Delivery of individual boxed meals for Cornerstone participants and staff; outdoor maintenance work including staining fences and seasonal garden and yard work.
Contact: courtney.p@cornerstonemn.org
Location: Bloomington
DARTS
About: DARTS is a nonprofit organization that provides personalized services for older adults and their loved ones.
Tasks: Spring/fall clean-ups, summer lawn mowing, winter shoveling.
Contact: Visit dartsconnects.org/group-volunteering, or call Angela at 651-234-2254.
Location: Dakota County
ESTHER Homes
About: ESTHER Homes comes alongside pregnant women experiencing crisis by providing housing and resources within a community of support.
Tasks: We need volunteers to cook meals, help run events, and show up for our moms and families in different ways.
Contact: Jess Swanson, Jess@estherhomesmn.org; Visit estherhomesmn.org/get-involved-home
Location: Varies
Feed My Starving Children
About: Feed My Starving Children is called to feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. Their goal is to reach everyone who is hungry. This means reaching the hard-to-reach people and places, the “least of these.” They will be found, and they will be fed.
Tasks: Hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets, and shipped to their partners working to reach the neediest children around the world.
Contact: Visit fmsc.org/get-involved/volunteer-info
Location: Eagan or Chanhassen
Life Center
About: An urban ministry transforming people suffering from homelessness, addiction and abuse.
Tasks: Serving Sunday service communal meal; sorting donated clothes and housewares; remodeling projects; Friday Street Team Outreach.
Life Center Contact: Josh Silker, josh@changingourcity.org
CV Contact: Dawn Ahlm, ahlmd@yahoo.com
Location: Minneapolis
Loaves and Fishes
About: Loaves & Fishes provides healthy meals to Minnesotans in areas where the need is greatest.
Tasks: Cooking and serving meals at a dining site.
Contact: Visit loavesandfishesmn.org/volunteer/, or email Lonny at volunteer@loavesandfishesmn.org.
Location(s): Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Crystal, Eagan, Farmington, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee
MN Adult & Teen Challenge
About: The mission is to assist men, women, and teens in gaining freedom from chemical addictions and other life-controlling problems by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge’s Volunteer Program offers you a variety of volunteer opportunities, with the goal of making a difference in the lives of clients and giving you a chance to be a part of our community. Whether you want to volunteer as an individual or a group at one of our many locations, or at our events, there is a place for you at MnTC!
Tasks: Facility Improvements, Community Service events
Contact: Matthew Wyka (Volunteer Program Manager), matthew.wyka@mntc.org
Location: Minneapolis
Richfield Police and Fire Departments
About: Richfield local Police and Fire Fighters
Tasks: Meals, Serving, Care for families
Contact: Brice Eichlersmith (Chaplain), brice@oakgrovelutheran.org
Location: Richfield
Together for Good
About: Offers practical help by assisting families during times of parental crisis and ongoing relational support.
Tasks: Prepare freezer meals, hosting diaper/wipe drives, writing notes of encouragement.
TFG Contact: Visit info@tfgood.org
CV Contact: Katie Hait, katiehait16@gmail.com
Location: Varies
Union Gospel Mission
About: Serves people facing homelessness, poverty, or addiction by meeting physical, spiritual, emotional, and education needs.
Task: Serving meal opportunities at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
UGM Contact: Josh Windham, jwindham@ugmtc.org
CV Contact: Jonas Sjostrom, jonas@cvchurch.org
Location: Minneapolis
VEAP
About: VEAP is a basic needs organization whose programs include access to healthy foods, social services, housing stability, and supportive services.
Tasks: Food drive-through intake, lobby greeter, lobby intake, pantry support, prep and stock support.
Contact: Visit veap.org/volunteer or call 952-955-8323.
Location: Bloomington