HUNGER & FOOD

• One7 is looking for community groups, churches, or families to help provide lunch for their students. They need 6 groups who can each serve once a month in order to fully cover meals for the students. If you or your group would like to be a 'Lunch Angel', please reach out to sydney@one7.org.

• Ballantyne Families has opened their food pantry. You can help stock the pantry by visiting and purchasing from their Amazon Wish List. You can also volunteer at the pantry. Sign up here.
  
  
• University Soup Kitchen is looking for volunteers and donations to help in their fight against chronic poverty. To volunteer to serve during one of their several opportunities, click HERE. They also are looking for donations of certain hygiene items, specifically new underwear and adult diapers. Monetary donations are also appreciated. You can drop off items at the University Soup Kitchen | 8929 JM Keynes Dr, Suite 335 | Charlotte, NC 28262
  
• Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help feed 300 residents at The Center of Hope Shelter. You can purchase a meal and/or help serve meals to those experiencing homelessness.
  
  • Location: Center of Hope Shelter for Women and Children, 534 Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206
  • Date & Time: Ongoing | Breakfast (6:30-7:30am), Lunch (11:45am-1:30pm), Dinner (4:30-6:30pm)
  • Point of Contact: Sarah Gamble 704-714-4736 | sarah.gamble@uss.salvationarmy.org or Hannah Newcombe 704-714-4736 | hannah.newcombe@uss.salvationarmy.org 

• Nourish Up (Formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays) has immediate needs that include delivering meals & groceries, packing food supply boxes in their warehouse & mobile pantry, and more. With growing community needs, monetary and food donations are always needed year round. You can:
  • Delivery Drivers - If you would like to volunteer as a Meals on Wheels delivery driver, please sign up HERE.
  • DONATE FOOD - Drop off non-perishable food items directly to their Hunger Hub: 901 Carrier Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216.
    • Donation hours: Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 4 PM. Their priority needs are listed HERE.
  • HOST a Food or Fund Drive in your neighborhood, business, or school - Click HERE for more information on how to host a successful drive. 
  • SHOP Online - Click HERE for their Amazon Wish List and have items delivered directly to them. 
  • DONATE FUNDS - Help them purchase perishable items such as fresh meat, dairy, and fresh produce. You can donate funds HERE.
    • Find more information for all their volunteer needs and register HERE. 
    • Please note their *NEW location* for donations and volunteering: Hunger Hub | 901 Carrier Drive Charlotte NC 28216
  • If you have questions, contact Ileshia Johnson at 704-709-1887. You can also click HERE for more contact information.
    

• Lifeline Charlotte needs volunteers to pack meals for multiple events! All ages and abilities are welcome to pack meals for those facing food insecurity.   
  
  • Location: Lifeline Charlotte Centre | 325 McGill Ave NW, Suite 175, Concord, NC 28027
    
    • Community Pack Events are on February 17th and 26th.
    • Please register for each community meal pack event HERE.
  • They also host Lunch & Learn events if you want to learn more about what they do. There is one on March 19th, April 30th, and August 27th, & October 8th from 11:30am-12:30pm.
  • You can email charlotte@lifeline.org or call 980-268-3070 to register or if you would like more information.
    
    
• Second Harvest Food Bank: They are looking for volunteers to assist them in unpacking, organizing, and repacking food in order to get it distributed out in the community. If you have an interest, you can direct your volunteers to the below information;
  • They can accommodate individuals, families, and groups. Please visit HERE to learn more and get connected.

HEALTH & MEDICAL

• Psychology for All gives access to quality mental health care for those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. For more information, visit www.psychologyforall.org.
• Nurses Serving Our Neighbors (NSON) are volunteer nurses and caring companions who assist individuals with their healthcare needs and goals. They are specifically looking for bilingual caring companions to serve alongside the nurse advocates to facilitate communication and allow them to assist our spanish-speaking neighbors on their healthcare journey. If you're interested in being a bilingual caring companion or if you'd like to check out their other volunteer opportunities, click HERE.
  
  
• NC Diaper Bank: As the needs continue to arise, they are looking for donation drive support. Ideally, these would be sustainable, on-going drives but all support is helpful and greatly needed. Below are the additional details to help determine your engagement; 
  • The most critical items in need are:
    • Infant pull ups, sizes 2t-3t through sizes 4t-5t
    • Under jams of all sizes
    • Items for their Period Power Initiative (period products, shorts, underwear and legging) 
    • Adult pull-ups sizes 2XL and larger
    • If this need interest you & you would like more information, please reach out to Avery Payne – Greater Charlotte Branch Coordinator, by email HERE or you can call (980) 900-7364  

• MedAssist: They are in need for volunteers (individuals and/or groups) to assist in assembling their premade packs and/or sort OTC medicine at their Charlotte office on weekday mornings and afternoons as well.
  • All volunteer opportunities can be found HERE or you can call and speak with Andria at 704-350-3578.

EVANGELISM

• Next Generation Impact: They welcome churches and groups to give more than a book bag and to meet not only the physical need but also the heart need for discipleship by starting a children's ministry inside a local school. 
  • Dates: Begin in the Fall and Spring (as semesters begin) 
  • Time: 7 weeks, once a week for 2 hours
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Bible Teacher, Memory Verse Leader, Song Leader, Snack Leader, Administrative, Prayer Leader, and Pastoral Follow-Up
  • If interested, please email Jennifer Cline HERE
  • Watch this video HERE to learn more about this opportunity.

EDUCATION

• Augustine Literacy Project (ALP) is recruiting volunteer tutors for their fall training classes. Tutors train over 3 days and commit to working with students two days each week for 45 minutes. ALP serves 1st and 2nd grade students in CMS Title 1 elementary schools. Students make significant progress in basic literacy skills and over 80% of tutors return each year. The need is great! When you become an ALP tutor you help improve the literacy skills of young, aspiring readers in our community! 
  
  • Find out more about becoming an ALP tutor by joining an in person or virtual information session. You can find all upcoming sessions and training dates HERE. 
    
  • Feel free to email them at info@alpcharlotte.org with any questions. 

• Learning Help Centers of Charlotte: They are looking for homework and reading mentors for elementary school students who are English Language Learners.
  • When: Tuesday evenings, while CMS is in session, from 5:45pm to 6:45pm. Comfortable engaging informal environment
  • Where: St. Andrews United Methodist Church, enter at 1901 Emerywood Rd, CLT NC, 28211. Park in church parking lot, and enter at side of church opposite Montclaire Elementary School
  • Who to Contact: Meghan Miller, Operations Lead via email HERE
    

• Promising Pages: They are looking for volunteers to help them clean and process book donations.
  • If you are interested in getting your church involved, please use the registration link HERE
  • If you have a group of 10 or more, they are willing to work with you too. You can set it up by reaching out to Dana HERE

• HELPS Literacy Tutors (Virtual) - For 1 hour per week, HELPS Tutors support 2 CMS students in reading fluency.
  To register for a New Tutor Training or for more information:
  • Email Emily Hall HERE 
  • Or by visiting their website HERE 

ADDICTION RECOVERY

• Charlotte Rescue Mission has 2 different volunteer opportunities that are listed below:
  • Sponsor/Serve for Meals
  • Donation Drives (collection of Gift In-Kind items)  
    
    • If you have interest in learning more about these opportunities, please email Jeff Glenn, Community Relationship Manager, HERE
      

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

• Present Age Ministries is excited to announce their very own thrift store boutique, Restoration Market (find RM HERE)! They accept donations of gently used clothing items from any season. Every purchase at Restoration Market directly supports their ongoing work to combat the sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of teen girls right here in Concord and the Charlotte Metro region.
  • They need any of the following clothing items in good (but not new) condition: shirts, sweaters, jackets, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, shoes, hats, bags, bandanas, scarves, sunglasses, watches, and belts. Please note that they cannot accept undergarments, torn or ripped clothing, socks, furniture, electronics, or other non-clothing items.
  • Donation Drop-off Details:
    • Location: 74 Spring Street SW, Concord NC 28025
    • Hours: Their donation center is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. The store is open Thursdays - Saturdays.

HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS

• Ada Jenkins Center is looking for volunteers for the below opportunities:
  
        Camp LEARN Works - Volunteer registration opens May 1 for our summer academic enrichment program.
        Fuel for LEARN Works - Families and community groups can collect snacks and help pack them for students.
        * Sign-up in Bloomerang Volunteer here.
        For volunteer information, contact haleigh.gilman@adajenkins.org
  
  
• Roof Above hosts 'Coffee & Conversation' every month. Joe Hamby, Director of Community Education hosts this as a way to learn more about what Roof Above does for the community. It is at Higher Grounds by Manolo's, located inside Myers Park United Methodist Church. Email jhamby@roofabove.org with questions. They also have several volunteer opportunities. To check out how you can get involved, visit HERE.
  
  
• University Soup Kitchen: As they have many different ways to engage with them and serve, they have reached out with one priority need which is the need to support their mobile pantry during the week.
  • To check out all the ways you can serve, along with the mobile pantry volunteer opportunities, you can check them out HERE.
  
  
• Project Outpour provides mobile showers and hygiene services to individuals moving through homelessness. They currently operate showers at 5 different locations each week in Charlotte. During the summer, these individuals face unique challenges, such as staying cool and protecting themselves from bugs and the sun, making hygiene supplies essential. You can help by volunteering for their Shower Service Days!
  
  • Volunteer for their Shower Service Days and Hygiene Distribution Events. Volunteers will assist shower guests by gathering requested shower supplies, cleaning in between each guest, keeping the process organized, and visiting with shower guests. 
    • These are the days/times/locations they need help:
      • Tuesdays
        • First Christian Church | 1200 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203 | 10:00 AM - 1 PM or 1:15 PM
        • (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - South Boulevard | 4429 South Blvd. Charlotte | 1:45 PM - 4:15 PM)
      • Wednesdays - Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library | 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte | 10 AM - 1:15 PM
      • Thursdays
        • Memorial United Methodist Church | 4012 Central Ave. Charlotte | 10 AM - 1:15 PM
        • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - West Boulevard | 2157 West Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28208 | 1:45 PM - 4:15 PM
      • Fridays - Hickory Grove Library | 5935 Hickory Grove Rd. Charlotte | 10 AM - 1:15 PM
    • Click HERE to sign up for shifts. For any questions, email MaShonna Hughes at hello@projectoutpour.org or call 704-275-5540.
      
      
• Just Do It Movement: They educate and provide resources and skills to individuals that need assistance in becoming self-sufficient, while empowering them beyond their circumstances.
  • To learn more about their ministry, watch this piece that Spectrum News did: HERE 
  
  

REFUGEES & IMMIGRANTS

• One7 is looking for community groups, churches, or families to help provide lunch for their students. They need 6 groups who can each serve once a month in order to fully cover meals for the students. If you or your group would like to be a 'Lunch Angel', please reach out to sydney@one7.org.
  
  
• New Arrivals Institute offers these free virtual services for refugees and immigrants:
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
  • U.S. Citizenship Preparation Classes
  • Virtual Driver's Education Classes - They will also be offering a course in Pashto starting Aug 11-Sept 5! Classes will meet from 6:30-8:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Please sign up HERE.
  • Skills Recertification Support
  • For more information, click HERE.
    
  • To register for any events, please visit HERE.
  • For any questions, please contact Lauren HERE.International House (IH) offers a series of events that are designed to equip service providers & individuals with the skills, resources, and expertise they need to communicate effectively with clients from international backgrounds or who are non-native English speakers.
    
    
• Project 658: They are looking for 2 different volunteer needs.

• • Mentoring Volunteers: They are in need of people who love Jesus, are comfortable in cross-cultural settings, and have a desire to show the love of Jesus through practical ways like English conversation, helping navigate life in America, and just showing up to be a friend to refugees in Charlotte. 
    • If interested you can contact Julia HERE or Mark HERE
  • Make Welcome Sewing School is looking for assistant teachers for our refugee sewing classes. We are in need of several female sewing class volunteers to assist the main sewing instructor one day a week, from 10am-12. Requirements are a basic knowledge of sewing, being comfortable in a multi-cultural/multi-language environment, and a love for Jesus!
    • To apply, please complete THIS application
  
  
• Refugee Support Services (RSS): They are always looking for dedicated volunteers. Training will be provided.
  • If interested in volunteering with RSS, please sign up HERE

FAMILY RESILIENCE, FOSTER CARE, & ADVOCACY 

• Beds for Kids has these ongoing volunteer opportunities: 
  • Accommodate individuals and groups of up to 20 volunteers (must be 11 years or older) at a time. Volunteer activities depend on the needs of the day and can include delivering furniture to local families, loading trucks for future deliveries, assembling furniture, and moving, organizing, and cleaning furniture.
  • Time: Their availability is generally Monday-Friday from either 9 AM - 12 PM or 1 - 4 PM. 
  • Where: Their warehouse at 4200 Revolution Park Drive Charlotte, NC 28203
  • You can see their full volunteer availability & register HERE. If you’d like to reserve slots for a group, please email Rachel HERE 
  • If you have questions, you can email volunteers@bedsforkids.org or call 704-709-1875
  • If they need your help with a delivery:
    • Your team will be split up into groups of five or less and you will be introduced to your Delivery Leader. They will give your team an address that you will meet their Beds for Kids truck there.
    • After your Delivery Leader completes paperwork with the client, you will help them unload the truck and assemble any furniture.
    • Please do not take photos of their client families or their homes.
    • After the delivery is over, meet back at their warehouse and they will wrap up the experience with a video
  • All volunteers should plan to:
    • Dress comfortably and pack a water bottle. The warehouse does not have AC or heat.
    • Park in the front, on the street, or in the back. Do not park in the gravel lot on the side as that belongs to their next door neighbors.
    • After sign in, they will lead you through an orientation and tour of the warehouse.

• HopeKids provides ongoing events, activities, and a powerful support community for families who have a child with cancer or some other life threatening medical condition. They are in need of volunteers so if you would like to serve with them, here are the steps they encourage you to take:
  • Please sign the linked documents and send them to Heather Curran, Program Manager, HERE. There is a permission form for a background check and also an acknowledgment of their abuse policy to keep their HopeKids safe. 
    • Background Permission: HERE
    • Abuse Policy: HERE
    • Volunteer Handbook for any further information: HERE
  • Once Heather receives those documents, she will send you the Abuse Training link. This is a training video you can do online on your own time and it takes less than an hour to complete. 
  • For any further information or questions, please email Heather Curran HERE
    

• Congregations for Kids (CFK) has several fun volunteer opportunities that you and your family can get involved in.
  
  •  Long-term volunteer opportunities:
    • Socialight Team - Socialight team members will have the opportunity to serve collectively throughout the year through monthly volunteer events at the office and activities that you can even do at home! This role supports child welfare professionals. CFK asks team members to commit to 6 hours of volunteer service per year. 
    • Socialight Prayer Partners - You will be paired with a social worker who has specifically requested the support of a prayer partner and will commit to reach out and connect at least once per month.  There are no in-person requirements for this role. 
    • To learn more about both of these roles, visit their Socialight Program page HERE.  Sign up HERE for either role.
      
  • Click HERE to check out all the other ways you / your church can engage with CFK and the foster care community of children, families, and social workers.
    
    
• Freedom Within Walls equips children and families by providing nutritional, recreational, and educational programs and opportunities for those impoverished. Here are a few of their current needs: 

• • Volunteers Needed: They are looking for volunteers for reading, academic enrichment services, and tutoring. They are open daily throughout the year so reach out to them directly for specific hours. Sign up to volunteer HERE.
  • Vehicle Need: Freedom Within Walls is gearing up for their summer enrichment program which serves their at risk youth. They would love to include field trips this year but are in need of a passenger vehicle or bus to make those happen. If your church isn't using their transportation over the summer or you know of anyone possibly getting rid of this type of vehicle, they ask that you reach out. 
  • Meal Sponsorship Opportunities: Their ministry feeds over 1,500 children after school daily throughout the school year through their enrichment program. If you would like to support them by supplying a one-time meal or ongoing meals, they would love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out for more specific information & to coordinate.
    • To reach out, please email HERE
      

• Machiah's House is a transitional six-bed group home, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for homeless young female adults in Charlotte, NC. They serve six female adults between the ages of 18 to 21 years old. 
  
  • Housing: They are looking for a transitional group home (land & home) to best assist the population they are passionate to serve in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
    • If you know of anything or have questions, feel free to reach out to Founder & Executive Director, Dr. Shandria Pridgen at (704) 763-4100.
      

PRISON MINISTRY

• Bridges to Life (BTL): BTL has recently been invited to bring the Bridges To Life program to the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Clinic (ARC) in Charlotte. If you are not familiar with the ARC, the men that reside there are homeless as a result of their drug or alcohol addictions and they are desperately working toward sobriety. In order to get this program off the ground, they are in need of volunteer support.
  • Whether you are a victim of crime, in recovery, or a good listener with a heart to help, please consider joining them to minister at the Salvation Army in Charlotte. If interested, please email Joel Lightfoot HERE or by calling him at 254-313-8181.

• Changed Choices: They have reached out looking for support of meals for their weekly bible studies. 
  • Each week, their clients, staff, and volunteers meet at our re-entry home for fellowship and bible study
    • If you would like to support this by providing a meal, you can do so by clicking on THIS LINK to register

SENIOR CARE RESOURCES

• Free Transportation for our Disabled & Elderly (60 yrs +) Individuals: Mecklenburg County is offering free transportation for needs such as local grocery food chains, pharmacies, farmers markets, barber shops & beauty salons, places of worship, and some medical appointments.
  • Elderly -  is 60 years + of age / Disabled Individuals - 18 - 59
  • This service is offered 364 days a year/7 days a week and all trips must be made 3 days in advance
  • Mecklenburg Transportation System Scheduling Line: 704-336-4547 
  
  
• Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. There are multiple resources on their website.
  We want to highlight their Emergency Housing Guide, which provides information and resources to senior citizens who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Below are some areas this resource will cover:
  
  • Emergency housing
  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program or (ERA)
  • Housing Choice Voucher Program 
  • Supportive Housing for the Elderly
  • HUD, VA, and much more

• SeniorHomes.com has Memory Care guides that explain what it is and the different care facilities specially designed for seniors with memory impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
  • Basic Guide to Memory Care
    
    • What is Memory Care?
    • How Much Does Memory Care Cost?
    • Different Levels of Care
    • Symptoms of Memory Impairment & Dementia
    • When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care
    • Memory Care & Medicare, and more
  • Overview of North Carolina Memory Care
    • List of facilities by city in NC
    • Cost of NC Memory Care
    • Find communities by zip code

EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESOURCES

• American Red Cross: There are currently 2 types of volunteer needs that they would like to share:
  • Their Disaster Action Team volunteers are critically important, not just to the Red Cross but to our community. These volunteers are part of a team that responds in-person to local emergencies (primarily home fires). They not only provide comfort, hope, and compassion to impacted households, but also connections to Red Cross and community resources. This includes financial assistance for lodging and referrals to Healthcare, Mental Health, and Spiritual Care services.
    • Volunteer disaster responders are asked to be on-call 6 shifts per month. Each shift is approximately 8-12 hours. While volunteers may not always get dispatched during their on-call shift, they do need to be available for in-person response should something happen.
  • Disaster Spiritual Care volunteers assist disaster clients to utilize their own spiritual resources, values, and faith during crisis, regardless of faith tradition. The volunteers would participate in local responses, such as:
    • Providing support to families who have experienced a home fire
    • Facilitate long-term recovery for clients – providing spiritual and emotional support, and connection to local resources
    • Assist in developing partnerships with local faith-based organizations
    • Are involved in preparedness efforts
      • For more information on either of these engagement opportunities, please contact Amy Korb via email HERE or by phone at 704.221.8862

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Church Safety - Embrey Consulting Group | Project Sanctuary Shield
  •  Project Sanctuary Shield is the church safety initiative of Embrey Consulting Group, led by retired law enforcement leader Wayne Embrey, who brings more than 30 years of experience in policing, leadership development, and crisis response. His heart is to help churches think proactively about safety while maintaining a welcoming and worshipful environment.
    Through practical training and guided planning, churches are equipped to strengthen awareness, clarify response protocols, and prepare staff and volunteers to respond wisely in real-life scenarios. The focus is on preparation and stewardship, helping ministries protect their people and cultivating peace of mind without creating fear.
    For more information or to connect with Embrey Consulting Group: Wayne Embrey - 704-507-0735 | Email: embreywc@gmail.com 
    
    
• Project 658 has a screen printing company called Imago 658. All profits support Project 658’s mission, while the business also mentors and disciples immigrants and refugees through meaningful employment. The company produces high-quality custom merchandise that helps organizations and individuals bring their designs to life with purpose. To connect with Imago 658, please email imago@project658.com
  
  
• Psychology for All gives access to quality mental health care for those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. For more information, visit www.psychologyforall.org.
  • You can also ask for a Christian counselor upon request.
    
    
• City of Charlotte has created a new Eviction Debt Loan Program, designed to help individuals who are struggling to secure housing due to past eviction debt. Applicants must be in Charlotte resident, show 3 continuous months of employment, and have a household income below 80% of Area Median Income. For more information, email jessika.mcneill@charlottenc.gov.
  
  
• HR Ministry Matters: This organization is an affordable monthly subscription service that provides an online, self-service portal for all your basic HR needs AND unlimited access to a certified HR professional M – F 8 am – 8 pm EST. (via email or phone)
  • Features include: 
    • Employee handbook creation
    • Policy review & creation
    • Templates, letters, checklists, and guides
    • E-news updates
      • For more information, you can visit their website HERE or reach out directly to Robin Marrin at 919-444-2757
  
  
• Hope Haven | The Forum: Launched in early 2023, The Forum is a community hub for education, training, mentoring, and collaboration for non-profit professionals. Located conveniently on Hope Haven's campus, they are offering cost-effective training and continuing education from top educators and presenters open to the non-profit community on wide-ranging topics such as:
  • Mental Health
  • De-escalation
  • First Aid & CPR
  • Boundaries & Ethics
  • Cultural Competence
    • Register for an upcoming course: HERE
  
  
• The Forum at Hope Haven invite you and members of your staff to participate in a 9-month MI (Motivational interviewing) Community Learning Project. Motivational interviewing (MI) is an effective, evidence-based technique for helping clients resolve ambivalence about behaviors that prevent change. If you have any interest and want to learn more, the link to the flyer HERE
   
• Healthy Communities NC: Please visit HERE to see great statistical data on social & economical factors, physical environments, health behaviors, clinical care, and health outcome data. This is a fantastic resource for localized data.
  
  
• Housing & Homelessness Dashboard: Please visit  HERE to get up-to-date data around the Charlotte Mecklenburg housing crisis.
  
  
• MEANS Database: This is a food recovery platform. This is a text notification program that connects individuals in need to available food close to them. We can encourage this from the excess food perspective as well as a resource to individuals and families in need. Check them out HERE
  
  
• Families Forward CLT: This is a great resource page and it is organized by the need which makes it much easier to navigate. Check them out HERE