Volunteer Opportunities In Toledo, Ohio

Fun Guide | 03/13/2023 2:30 pm

Volunteer Opportunities In Toledo, Ohio

Looking for rewarding ways to help your community? Toledo has many volunteer opportunities for adults and youth alike! From food pantries to animal shelters and senior centers to community parks, you’ll be sure find a way to give back that aligns with your interests, skill set, and available hours. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and lend a hand at an organization near you . . . here are some suggestions as a starting point for your search for meaningful volunteerism.

FEED YOUR NEIGHBORS

Food For Thought

Every week, Food For Thought welcomes volunteers to Friday Night Lunch Packing. Come solo or bring a group and enjoy socializing while you make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
https://feedtoledo.org/how-you-can-help/

Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank

Looking to explore Northwest Ohio a bit more? See what surrounds us while making a difference when you volunteer for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank’s Harvest Market – a grocery store on wheels that traverses Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams counties.

https://www.toledofoodbank.org/harvest-market-grocery-store-on-wheels/volunteer-job-descriptions/?doing_wp_cron=1677242670.8306550979614257812500

SAME Cafe Toledo

SAME Cafe exists So All May Eat, and to achieve their mission they need your help! This bright cafe inside the Toledo Library’s Main downtown branch operates on a pay-as-you-can model and enlists volunteers to serve meals with a smile.

https://www.soallmayeat.org/volunteer

Connecting Kids to Meals
Connecting Kids to Meals provides thousands of healthy meals at no cost to kids in low-income and underserved areas in Northwest Ohio. The organization needs volunteer assistance to keep deliveries running smoothly; sign up to package plates, utensils, condiments, snacks and other items.

https://connectingkidstomeals.org/take-action/the-volunteer-experience/

SeaGate Food Bank

Whether you help in-house at SeaGate Food Bank by packing boxes for seniors in need, or get out in the community to collect donated goods, you’ll be part of this organization’s massive effort to donate 15 million pounds of food across 400+ regional pantries and programs this year.
https://seagatefoodbank.org/volunteer/

GET CREATIVE

NAMI Toledo
Our local chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness is looking for volunteers to lead workshops within their Creative Expressions art support group program.

https://namitoledo.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer-2/

Mayores Senior Center
Located in South Toledo, the Mayores Senior Center offers artistic workshops among their many recreational activities. Arts and Culture volunteer opportunities include teaching knitting or crochet.

https://nhainc.org/mayores-senior-center/

FOCUS ON FAMILY

Family House

With the goal of keeping families together in times of crisis, Family House offers classes to help with employment and find independent housing. Volunteers can elect to lead said classes, or sort donations, paint walls, and serve meals.

https://familyhousetoledo.org/get-involved/

Mosaic Ministries of Toledo
Mosaic Ministries is looking for volunteer babysitters to watch children on Saturday mornings while their parents attend Baby University. These volunteers free up parents to concentrate during Baby U’s 10-week parenting workshops, through which the family is connected to vital community resources such as safe housing, medical and mental health services, and food assistance.

https://www.mosaicministries.us/get-involved/volunteer/

MAKING PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME

US Together

US Together is our area’s refugee resettlement and immigrant services agency, seeking volunteers to help those who’ve recently become area residents feel welcome and supported. Volunteer roles include Cultural Orientation Volunteer, Employment Specialist, English Learning Tutor, Refugee Youth Mentor, and Fundraising Expert.
https://www.ustogether.us/volunteer-intern

The Arts Commission

Over 1,500 people visit downtown for every one of our area’s Art Loops – Toledo’s seasonal, signature arts and culture experience. Volunteers are needed for each upcoming Loop, helping to welcome visitors, facilitate tours, and coordinate with participating artists at various venues.

https://theartscommission.org/support/volunteer

IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT

Partners for Clean Streams

Enjoy being outdoors and want to champion clearer waterways? From participating in river clean-ups, to adopting fishing line recycling bins or event planning, there are many ways to support the cause for clean water. Water Quality Volunteers are also needed for local park systems, such as Wood County, Olander and the Metroparks.

https://partnersforcleanstreams.org/index.php/volunteer

Toledo Grows

Every Wednesday from June through October, Toledo Grows welcomes volunteers to their Oneida Street headquarters. No matter your level of gardening experience, you’ll make a difference by helping in the garden beds, greenhouses, and across their urban farm property growing and cultivating food!

https://www.toledogrows.org/volunteering-tours/

STAY SOCIAL

Cherry Street Mission

Through Cherry Street Mission’s Conversation Friend volunteer program, individuals partner with staff to build relationships with guests. During meal times, Conversation Friend volunteers provide the simple yet meaningful service of offering support and encouragement to those they are seated with.

https://cherrystreetmission.org/volunteer/

Area Office on Aging

Brighten someone’s day with a simple phone call! As part of the Area Office on Aging’s Friendly Caller Program, volunteers provide socialization to a homebound or lonely older adult. Not only do these calls remind them someone cares, it improves their health by combating problems related to loneliness and isolation such as cognitive decline and heart disease.

https://areaofficeonaging.com/volunteer

Toledo Museum of Art

Welcome guests to one of Toledo’s most beautiful performance venues as a volunteer Usher for the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater. Volunteers greet guests and distribute programs, making well-attended, major cultural events possible in our community. And, as a special perk, ushers see the performances they work for – for free!

https://www.toledomuseum.org/support/volunteer-opportunities

LEND YOUR SKILLS… OR GAIN NEW ONES!

The Ability Center

Looking to flex your carpentry muscle, or develop new construction skills? Volunteer residential Ramp Builds through the Ability Center can accommodate everyone, especially volunteers with little to no experience. All you need is a desire to help others become more independent! Businesses looking for team building activities are also welcome to explore this option.

https://abilitycenter.org/volunteering/

Leading Families Home (Beach House)

Love all things writing and marketing? Beach House is looking for blog writers, plus assistance with link building to improve Beach House’s SEO. And bonus… if you have little experience in these but an interest, the organization is willing to teach you!

https://www.lfhtoledo.org/volunteer

First Tee Lake Erie

Whether you fancy yourself a proficient golfer, or simply a genuine mentor and do-gooder, volunteering with First Tee is the gig for you. Integrating the game of golf with life skills offerings, First Tee not only offers summer classes but helps kids year-round, both on and off the course.

https://firstteelakeerie.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity

Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity home builds rely on volunteers of all skill levels, including more experienced – and licensed! – Construction Site Volunteers to offer leadership and assist fellow workers with skill development.

https://www.mvhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer/

HELP OUR FURRY FRIENDS

Metroparks Toledo

Make a big impact helping even bigger animals than you’ll find at most shelters when you join the Oak Openings Horse Corp! Through this volunteer program, area equestrians participate in the maintenance of the horse trails including upkeep of hitching posts, mounting platforms, and other amenities along the Metroparks renowned bridle trails.

https://metroparkstoledo.com/get-involved/volunteer/maintaining-our-parks/

Lucas County Canine Care & Control
Offer a shelter pet an amazing day out in the community when you volunteer with Lucas County Canine Care & Control, or LC4. Volunteers over 18 are encouraged to take dogs off-property to help them adjust to the greater world that they’ll hopefully soon be part of. Activities can include bringing your furry friend-for-a-day to a park, having them join you as you run errands, or even taking them to training at Rescue University!

https://lucascountydogs.com/volunteer/

Nature’s Nursery

Are you looking for a longer term volunteer commitment that’s really rewarding? Join Nature’s Nursery’s team of rehab volunteers! These individuals are essential to the organization’s goal of releasing animals back to the wild. Training is provided, and positions include Animal Transport, Foster Care, Avian Volunteers, NICU/Nursery Volunteers and more. Junior positions are also available.

https://natures-nursery.org/volunteer/

CHAMPION EDUCATION

Read for Literacy

You may have tutored through a local elementary school before, but did you realize that adults in our community need help reading too? Over 50,000 Lucas County residents read at or below a basic level – meaning they are unable to read the newspaper, fill out a job application, or assist their children with homework. The good news? You can help. Sign up to be an Adult & Family Literacy tutor with Read for Literacy. No prior teaching experience is necessary, just a desire to help others! The organization is happy to train you in various curriculums.
https://www.readforliteracy.org/support#volunteer

The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio

If you are passionate about helping people to live independently, volunteer with The Sight Center. The organization is looking for volunteers to staff health fairs and educate those experiencing vision loss about the services and tools that could be available to them – such as home safety enhancements, high tech assistive devices, daily living adaptations, white cane training and caregiver support.

https://sightcentertoledo.org/give-a-gift/volunteer-opportunities/

Toledo Zoo

Love animals, and love to learn? As part of your path to become a Zoo Educator, Toledo Zoo offer a series of class sessions that cover every area of our local animal haven. A year-round, long-term volunteer opportunity, Zoo Educators lead talks in front of exhibits, assist with activity and biofact tables, demonstrate live animals, and are even offered an opportunity to lead off-grounds activities at community events.
https://www.toledozoo.org/volunteer

ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS

Lucas County Courts

The Lucas County Juvenile Court needs volunteers in a variety of capacities within their Victim / Witness Assistance program. Opportunities include accompanying victims to court proceedings, assisting them in filing for compensation through the Ohio Attorney General’s office, assisting victims with Impact Statements, facilitating support groups, and providing referrals for services.

https://co.lucas.oh.us/3150/VictimWitness-Assistance

ABLE

Volunteer opportunities with ABLE – or Advocates for Basic Legal Equality – are aimed at making sure individuals have equitable access to legal services. While many offerings are aimed at lawyers, paralegals, and those with greater experience, non-lawyers can help in a variety of ways: reviewing and compiling data, helping with driver's license reinstatement or other clinics, and watching and reporting on court proceedings. ABLE also facilitates a Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, in which volunteers are trained to serve as a visible advocates for the elderly. There is great need for volunteers among the 100 nursing homes in the program's 10-county service area of Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties.

https://www.ablelaw.org/get-involved/

YOUTH VOLUNTEERS

Many area organizations welcome teens to volunteer their time. These opportunities help youth to not only complete service hours (which may be required for school), but will develop in them important skills helpful to both their future careers and personal lives.

Toledo-area non-profits listing teen volunteer opportunities include:

Hospice of Northwest Ohio
https://www.hospicenwo.org/landing-pages/main/volunteers/

Metroparks Toledo

https://metroparkstoledo.com/get-involved/volunteer/maintaining-our-parks/

Lucas County Canine Care & Control

https://lucascountydogs.com/volunteer/

Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity

https://www.mvhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer/

Toledo Zoo
https://www.toledozoo.org/volunteer

FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT

Looking for more ways to help out?

Check out our region’s United Way Volunteer Opportunities Database: