Needs From: United Way of Southeast Minnesota

Are you passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in your community? Do you believe that everyone deserves access to nutritious and wholesome food? Then join our team of Food Distribution Volunteers!

As a volunteer, you will work with a dedicated group of individuals to distribute food to those in need. You will be responsible for organizing and setting up food stations, sorting and distributing food items, and assisting clients with their selections. Your efforts will directly contribute to reducing food insecurity in our community and ensuring that families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

No prior experience is necessary, and we welcome volunteers of all ages above 18 years old. We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure that you have the tools and knowledge you need to make a meaningful impact.

If you're ready to make a difference and help those in need, join us as a Food Distribution Volunteer today! 

Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094cabac2fa6fa7-cfrnorth

Be the first friendly face our clients meet as you provide emergency food assistance to families living in Olmsted County.

In 2014 our intake volunteers served nearly 3700 different households a month! If you enjoy meeting new people and helping those in need, this would be the job for you. This position requires good people skills and basic computer skills.

Intake volunteers check clients in for their food shelf visit and verify demographic information in our computer database.  If you are 55+, please ask for AmeriCorps Seniors enrollment.

Hours Currently Available:

Wednesday: 8 - 11 a.m., 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Would you like to make an immediate impact in your community? Channel One Food Shelf provides food for over 3,700 families in Olmsted County each month. Half of these are families with children. Do your part to eliminate hunger in your community by volunteering at our food shelf. We are looking for caring individuals to assist our clients with grocery selection, packing food, and stocking shelves.  If you are 55+, please ask for AmeriCorps Seniors enrollment.

Sign up for Orientation today:

 http://www.channel-one.org/volunteer/food-shelf-volunteers.php

Food Shelf Hours are 

Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 

Friday 8 a.m.- Noon

Current Available Hours include:

Tuesday: Noon - 2 p.m., 2  - 4 p.m.

Wednesday: 8 - 10 a.m., 4 - pm

Thursday: 8- 10 a.m., 4 - 6 p.m.

Family Service Rochester is partnering with other organizations across the community to distribute food to those in need.  

Pick up location: 1625 Highway 14 East, Rochester, MN 55904 (pull around to the back of the building & enter door)

Pick up time: Wednesdays at 10:30 AM - deliveries usually take between 1-1.5 hours

Distribution area: Mainly Rochester, but some deliveries are in Byron, Kasson, Stewartville, or Oronoco

**Bring a cooler if you have one, otherwise one will be provided for you (larger cooler preferred)

If you would like more information about volunteering with Family Service Rochester, please reach out to a member of our Volunteer Engagement Team at 507-287-2010 or volunteers@familyservicerochester.org or sign up to volunteer via the Volunteer Portal.

Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity

We are looking for volunteers to help us to restock our food shelf shelves with food items for families to select. Volunteers are needed on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. 

Please connect with Steve.Friederich@usc.SalvationArmy.org with any questions about this opportunity. We are grateful for your incredible support. 

We are in need of fresh food items to keep in our Rocket Community Room.  The fresh food items may be taken home by students experiencing food insecurity at home, or eaten at school for kids who need a little more to get them through the day.  This may be a student who missed breakfast, has a very late lunch, or needs a small snack to tide them over.

Items we could use: cheese sticks, apples, cutie oranges, bananas, individual yogurt/GoGurts, hummus/pita snack packs, etc...  Really small items that will last a week in the fridge and be healthy and quick for a student to eat.

Please contact Mrs. Vasquez directly about this need so you can coordinate drop-off.
Erin Vasquez, 507.328.5292, ervasquez@rochester.k12.mn.us 

List of items 125 LIVE needs for their pantry.

Please drop off food pantry donations at 125 Live during business hours. Thank you!

More information contact 125 Live: 

Phone:(507) 287-1404

Email: Info@125LiveMN.org

Looking for a way to make a positive impact in your community? Community Food Response is seeking dedicated volunteers like you to help sort and distribute food donations to families in need here in Rochester.

As a volunteer sorter, you will play a crucial role in helping us collect and organize donated food from local restaurants, groceries, hospitals, caterers, and more. Your efforts will directly contribute to reducing food waste and supporting families who are experiencing food insecurity.

Whether you're available to volunteer frequently or just occasionally, we welcome your help. Come by yourself, with a friend, or even a group - we would be thrilled to have you join us at our downtown distribution site on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays.

No prior experience is necessary, just respond to this post to get connected with our site coordinator! We are delighted to have you help make a difference in our community. Join us today as a volunteer sorter at Community Food Response!

This opportunity is for customer service focused volunteers who are ready to greet and serve shoppers kindly and in a welcoming way. You will be responsible for assisting shoppers to their cars with their groceries, bringing carts back from the lot, and greeting shoppers as they come and go. 

Volunteers are required to view and go through all qualifications when they sign up for the Food Shelf.

Work schedule will be determined based on the availability of the volunteer. The Food Shelf is stocked and open to the public during the following hours:

Monday through Thursday:

8:00am – 6:00pm

Friday:

8:00am – 12:00pm

Click the following link to be directed to the Channel One Volunteer site: Food Shelf Greeter/Cart Attendant

Volunteers should arrive 5 minutes before their scheduled start time.

Volunteer needed:

Pamoja Women is looking for passionate individuals or group to help restocking food shelf every other  week the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Volunteers will unbox and shelve food items for families to select. Pamoja Women Food Pantry receive pallets at 9:30 am every other Tuesday and second and fourth Tuesday of the month. We can use your help unpacking and shelfing at 9:45 AM to make it ready for families to select and take food items. Your help from 9:45 am to 12:00 PM would be much appreciated. If you are interested or have any questions about this opportunity, please connect with Khadija Ali or Fatuma Ahmed .

Please note: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and can stand for long period of time. Also, this position requires some lifting; hence, we are hoping volunteers can lift 25 lbs and has no health restrictions to lift. 

Thank you in advance for your support.

Pamoja Women 

Khadija Ali: jijayarey@gmail.com

Fatuma Ahmed: fatuma87@gmail.com 

The Family Resource Center (FRC) is in need of donations for their Diaper Club recipients.

Are you able to donate diapers, pull-ups, and/or wipes to the FRC's program? Or are you interested in hosting a Diaper Drive for the FRC? If yes, please respond and we will connect with you!

Every family needs a little help sometimes. Services can be hard to navigate and it can be difficult making ends meet. That’s why the FRC has resources for families in Olmsted County. Whether someone needs help applying for childcare or housing, help for postpartum depression, assistance with diapers or food, or other resources, the FRC is designed to help.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help others!

We are looking for volunteers to help our staff and guests at the Rochester Community Warming Center. There are 2 shifts available; 7:30pm-10PM and 6:00am-8:30am. You will be helping out with entry or  exit of guests, food service, distributing blankets, and socially with guests. Volunteers are crucial to helping us create a sense of community in our Warming Center.

Contact Angie Rich  at arich@ccsomn.org or 507-459-6265 if you are interested or have any questions about volunteering or donating. 

Memory Café is for those with dementia and their caregiver to meet in our community for casual conversation and interaction with other people struggling with memory difficulties. Our Memory Café in Rochester is open to anyone who is experiencing dementia, as well as their caregiver. We open this program to community members on a monthly basis, on the third Thursday of the month, from 2-3pm. The concept of Memory Café is to open a local, community hub that provides a welcoming and accepting nature for seniors with dementia. These individuals often face many isolating stigmas and stereotypes-preventing them from experiencing socialization opportunities that keep them in touch with their humanity. With the Memory Cafes, seniors with dementia can meet others going through similar experiences, while enjoying relaxing activities, crafts, drinks, and snacks. Their participation does not incur set fees, but rather they attend based upon their own, voluntary contributions. The Olmsted County Memory Café is held in Zadeo's Pizza in the Cub Foods Plaza, at 1021 15th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

Elder Network is seeking out community members who have time and talents to dedicate towards our Memory Café. Artists, musicians, crafters, and others who feel they have a skill or talent that could be used to assist us in delivering programs to seniors facing dementia, as well as their caregivers, are welcome to contact us at 507-285-5272 or melissas@elder-network.org. We would welcome your interest, and we would love to have your assistance with providing this enjoyable and relaxing time of socialization for these members of our community who often face isolation. Musicians who could play a few sets, artists that could provide craft programming for those with dementia, and others who are able to offer their time to our Memory Café on the third Thursdays of each month, from 2-3pm, are welcome to contact us with their ideas. We would love to brainstorm innovative programming with you to help serve our community. Experience with dementia is not necessary, as we can help you craft your skill to meet the needs of our clients.

The Elder Network is a 501(c)(3) human services agency that was formed in 1988, and was incorporated on May 28th, 1991. The mission of Elder Network is that, “Those 55 and better and their caregivers have the opportunity to thrive and lead rewarding lives.” We focus on helping seniors and caregivers to maintain their general health and well-being, including their mental health; and to maintain independence and quality of life in a safe, supported environment. 

Elder Network currently provides the following services: Companion Care, Respite Care, Friendly Visiting, Medical and Non-Medical Transportation, Senior Advocacy, PEARLs, Educational programs and groups such as Powerful Tools for Caregiving and Aging Mastery, our Technology Assistance Program, and Caregiver Support through REACH coaching, dementia and caregiver support groups, an art group, and a mindfulness group. Throughout the past 35 years of service, Elder Network has been dedicated to serving older adults and their loved ones, which include caregivers, family members, and friends. Through these 35 years of operation, Elder Network has committed resources to training staff, volunteers, clients, and community members on dementia, accessibility, diversity, end-of-life planning, grief support, suicide prevention, mental health in the aging population, and many other vital areas of service delivery that pertain to those 55 years of age and older.

Memory Café is for those with dementia and their caregiver to meet in our community for casual conversation and interaction with other people struggling with memory difficulties. Our Memory Café in Rochester is open to anyone who is experiencing dementia, as well as their caregiver. We open this program to community members on a monthly basis, on the third Thursday of the month, from 2-3pm. The concept of Memory Café is to open a local, community hub that provides a welcoming and accepting nature for seniors with dementia. These individuals often face many isolating stigmas and stereotypes-preventing them from experiencing socialization opportunities that keep them in touch with their humanity. With the Memory Cafes, seniors with dementia can meet others going through similar experiences, while enjoying relaxing activities, crafts, drinks, and snacks. Their participation does not incur set fees, but rather they attend based upon their own, voluntary contributions. The Olmsted County Memory Café is held in Zadeo's Pizza in the Cub Foods Plaza, at 1021 15th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904. 

The Co-Facilitator would need to be available for set-up, the program, and the event itself. We are seeking someone with either personal or professional experience working with others with dementia. A team player who can work with groups of 10-20 individuals and who can work to assist those with dementia and their caregivers to enjoy relaxing activities, crafts, and food set-up, would be our ideal candidate for this volunteer position. We will also provide additional training on working with those with dementia, as well as assisting caregivers of those with dementia. We will provide support of the co-facilitator in learning how to conduct the activities of each session. We will have pre-planned activities with the supplies and directions available, as well as another co-facilitator who is well-acquainted with the facilities, set-up, schedule, supplies, etc. to assist with each Memory Café. 

If you are interested in learning more about Memory Café, and/or the position of a co-facilitator for these events, please reach out to Elder Network by calling 507-285-5272, or by emailing us at melissas@elder-network.org. A background clearance will be required for all co-facilitators. Snacks will be served at each session, and additional opportunities for learning and growing in one's understanding of dementia and caregiving will be offered to co-facilitators and participants of the Memory Café.

Family Service Rochester has many family-oriented volunteer opportunities!

If you would like more information about volunteering with Family Service Rochester, please reach out to a member of our Volunteer Engagement Team at 507-287-2010 or volunteers@familyservicerochester.org or sign up to volunteer via the Volunteer Portal.

Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity!

Over the past 3 years The Landing MN has grown with the support of you, our community members. With this growth comes the need for a permanent location for our organization to call home.

We are working hard to make this a reality so our friends that are experiencing homelessness will continue to have that "soft place to land" at The Landing MN.

Your continued financial support is more important now than it has ever been. Please visit our website, thelandingmn.org to make a recurrent or one time donations to help us help others. You may also mail checks to our business address, 718 22nd St. NE, Rochester, MN 55906. 

Follow us on Facebook, our website or Instagram for further information and updates.

Have a blessed day,

Dan

Dan W. Fifield, RN

Co-Founder/President

Clothing:

Men's Jeans,  waist sizes 32, 34 & 36, lengths of 32 & 34

Tennis Shoes & Outdoor Work Type Boots

Sweat Shirts/Hoodies

T-Shirts 

New Underwear & Socks

Camping Gear (tents, sleeping bags)

Backpacks 

Food Items:

Single Serve, Individually Wrapped

Tuna Packets and Snack Pack's

Crackers

Noodle Cups

Ravioli 

Nuts

Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase the above items on our website or Facebook page, or feel free to call us at 507-884-0423 with any questions.

Senior Café is a gathering place for older adults where a nutritious mid-day meal is served with others.
Attendees enjoy meeting up with friends and participating in social activities that allow seniors to remain active and connected to the community while meeting their nutritional needs.

Senior Café takes place every Wednesday in Byron from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

Volunteer Opportunities
We are seeking one or two individual volunteers who can help on a monthly basis, on weeks that work with their schedule. Volunteer tasks include setting tables, serving food to seniors, visiting and socializing, and meal cleanup.   

**Volunteer needs to be comfortable working independently, but staff are on site to assist.

Questions?
If you would like more information about volunteering with Family Service Rochester, please get in touch with a member of our Volunteer Engagement Team at 507-287-2010 or volunteers@familyservicerochester.org

Thank you!

Help your community out by resolving to volunteer on the disaster action team!

To participate in all DAT program support and capacity building activities necessary to ensure effective service delivery during a disaster response.

Responsibilities:

Disaster Action Teams provide emergency response to local disasters, particularly house fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. 

This position is responsible for the tasks involved in the Disaster Action Team program including:

1. Supporting the annual goals and regional/chapter plan for DAT services through participation in meetings, projects, and local response activities.
2. Completes all required training and maintains current training standard as DAT program requirements change.
3. Attends regular team meetings and training as required by the region/territory.
4. Completes assigned projects and local response activities according to the needs of the DAT program.

Preparing vehicles, response materials, administrative support of the DAT program and other tasks assigned by the DAT Leader.

Time Commitment:  Preferred four 6-hour on-call shifts per month. Shifts are 6 am - Noon, Noon to 6 pm, 6 pm to Midnight and Midnight to 6 am.

Qualifications:

• Follow and execute requests received from supervisor with little or no supervision. 
• Adapt to change, negotiate compromise and tolerate ambiguity. 
• Build effective relationships with others who can help with work-related goals. 

To get started Click Here. Once there scroll down to DAT (Disaster Action Team Member) and select Apply Now!

If you have any questions please email us at mndakvolunteer@redcross.org or call 612-463-6587

Ways to donate a meal for families in need at our shelter:

Your willingness to provide a meal (raw ingredients, prepared, delivered or monetary) is sincerely appreciated by staff and, greatly, by our guest families! Thank you! 

Click HERE to sign-up and get started!!! (sign up genius link)

Support Food Shelf shoppers through confident and professional hospitality that is accessible, culturally sensitive, and welcoming. 

Join a team that combines paid professionals and dedicated volunteers who lead by example, work hard, and maintain high standards for our facility and our services. Some work behind the scenes sorting, inventorying, and stocking food. Some support shoppers with non-judgmental, compassionate interactions. All of us want to be here to provide the best experience to our community. 

Our facility is clean, spacious, accessible, and easy to navigate with well-displayed food and easy to understand signage. 

Our services are confidential and focused on the needs of our shoppers.

Food is the valuable resource that brings our community together. We maintain food safety, food quality and source wholesome, nutritious food. We say all are welcome here by stocking food that appeals to diverse members of our community and meets cultural and religious dietary needs.

Help maintain a smooth flow of operation in the Food Shelf by taking responsibility for learning stocking guidelines and product layout.

Organize food and supplies in storage and stock shelves and displays in the Food Shelf.

Assist with merchandising (facing) and routine cleaning, such as emptying garbage, removing cardboard and packaging.

Support shoppers by answering questions about where food and items can be found, assist with reaching, lifting and packaging groceries as requested.

Positive, strengths-based customer service is expected.

Volunteers must be comfortable engaging with and supporting our culturally diverse community. 

Respect and always maintain shopper confidentiality.

Physical demands: standing, walking, bending, stretching, twisting and reaching. Able to lift up to 25 pounds and carry for short distances repetitively over the duration of a 4-hour shift.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older.

Volunteers must be able to work on their own and be self-delegating. 

Close-toe shoes required.

Volunteers are required to view and go through all qualifications when they sign up for the Food Shelf.

Work schedule will be determined based on the availability of the volunteer. The Food Shelf is stocked and open to the public during the following hours:

Monday through Thursday:

8:00am – 6:00pm

Friday:

8:00am – 12:00pm

Click the following link to be directed to the Channel One Volunteer site: Shopper Support and Stocking (4hr)

Volunteers should arrive 5 minutes before their scheduled start time.

Positive, strengths-based customer service is expected.

Volunteers must be comfortable engaging with and supporting our culturally diverse community. 

Respect and always maintain shopper confidentiality.

Physical demands: standing, walking, bending, stretching, twisting and reaching. Able to lift up to 60 pounds and carry for short distances repetitively over the duration of a 2-hour shift.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older.

Volunteers must be able to work on their own and be self-delegating. 

Close-toe shoes required.

Help maintain a smooth flow of operation in the Food Shelf by learning stocking guidelines and product layout.

Organize food and supplies in storage and stock shelves and displays in the Food Shelf.

Assist with merchandising (facing) and routine cleaning, such as emptying garbage, removing cardboard and packaging.

Support shoppers by answering questions about where food and items can be found, assist with reaching, lifting and packaging groceries as requested.

Support Food Shelf shoppers through confident and professional hospitality that is accessible, culturally sensitive, and welcoming. 

Join a team that combines paid professionals and dedicated volunteers who lead by example, work hard, and maintain high standards for our facility and our services. Some work behind the scenes sorting, inventorying, and stocking food. Some support shoppers with non-judgmental, compassionate interactions. All of us want to be here to provide the best experience to our community. 

Our facility is clean, spacious, accessible, and easy to navigate with well-displayed food and easy to understand signage. 

Our services are confidential and focused on the needs of our shoppers.

Food is the valuable resource that brings our community together. We maintain food safety, food quality and source wholesome, nutritious food. We say all are welcome here by stocking food that appeals to diverse members of our community and meets cultural and religious dietary needs.

Volunteers are required to view and go through all qualifications when they sign up for the Food Shelf.

Work schedule will be determined based on the availability of the volunteer. The Food Shelf is stocked and open to the public during the following hours:

Monday through Thursday:

8:00am – 6:00pm

Friday:

8:00am – 12:00pm

Click the following link to be directed to the Channel One Volunteer site: Shopper Support and Stocking (2hr)

Volunteers should arrive 5 minutes before their scheduled start time.

This opportunity is for customer service focused volunteers who are ready to greet and serve shoppers kindly and in a welcoming way.

This opportunity asks the volunteer to sit or stand behind our meat counter in the food shelf, greet customers, and hand the customer meat and other limited items depending on what they ask for.  

Positive, strengths-based customer service is expected.

Volunteers must be comfortable engaging with and supporting our culturally diverse community. 

Respect and always maintain shopper confidentiality.

Physical demands: standing or sitting for 2-hour shift.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older.

Volunteers must be able to work on their own and be self-delegating. 

Closed-toe shoes required for safety.

Volunteers are required to view and go through all qualifications when they sign up for the Food Shelf.

Work schedule will be determined based on the availability of the volunteer. The Food Shelf is stocked and open to the public during the following hours:

Monday through Thursday:

8:00am – 6:00pm

Friday:

8:00am – 12:00pm

Click the following link to be directed to the Channel One Volunteer site: Market Counter

Volunteers should arrive 5 minutes before their scheduled start time.

Do you like to cook or bake? Do you have a passion for making sure people don't leave hungry?

 Plan a meal and bring it to our volunteers working at the various project sites. We have volunteers of all ages that want to participate and support Habitat for Humanity, but their passion lies in food. 

We would love to coordinate with you to either purchase a meal on your behalf for the crews or to bring your sweet (or savory) treats as a fun element of the day. 

Gage Elementary has a beautiful family resource room designed to meet the needs of our students and families. It is kept stocked with clothing, food, hygiene, and household supplies to meet the needs of all at any time.

GAGE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF

ONGOING NEED

Winter Gear:

Hygiene Products:

Healthy Snacks:

Clothing:

School Supplies:

You can drop off donated needs at Gage Elementary (1300 40th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55904) Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm. Just leave them at the front office and let them know it's for the Community School resource room. Thank you!