Volunteer Opportunities
Thanks for your interest in serving with Raleigh Rescue Mission’s Volunteer Ministry. Our Volunteer Ministry seeks to inform and engage committed individuals as well as church, school, civic and corporate groups. We believe our volunteers are our partners in ministering to the homeless and hurting in our community. Our prayer is that you will serve with us for a long time to come.
To start the process, please review the information below before submitting an online volunteer application.
Blessings,
Holly Cook, Director of Volunteer Ministry
919.828.9014, Ext. 126 or hollyc [at] raleighrescue [dot] org
A few things to know:
- Please note that we offer only a limited number of one-time and short-term volunteer opportunities for individuals.
- Double-check the days and times volunteers are needed and confirm that you are available at those times. Please make note as well of those volunteer activities and/or time slots that are currently filled -- it means we do not need additional volunteers in those areas at this time.
- It may take up to three weeks for us to contact you once you have submitted your volunteer application. Thank you for your patience.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
Click each item for a full description:
Driver
We are developing a “pool” of drivers to help get our clients to and from work, medical and program appointments. A valid driver’s license is required. A Raleigh Rescue Mission vehicle is available for you to use.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Flexible hours and days
Frequency:
Daily, Weekly, Monthly
Children's Tutor
Volunteers with a special love for children are needed during the traditional-calendar school year as tutors/homework helpers for the school-age children at the Mission. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, patient and able to treat the children with a firm kindness. Guidelines will be provided.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Tuesday, Thursday, 6:15-7:30pm, September until the end of the traditional school year
Frequency:
Weekly
Babysitter/Children's Developmet Center Substitute
We are developing a “pool” of babysitters/early childhood assistants who can either play with the children occasionally so that their mothers can attend classes or program appointments or serve as backup volunteers in our Children's Development Center (CDC) preschool. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
For the CDC: Monday-Friday 8am-12pm or 2-4pm; babysitting: third Thursday of each month, 6:15pm-8pm or as needed
Frequency:
Monthly; as needed
Front Desk Receptionist
Volunteers are needed to answer telephones, monitor the front door and interact with visitors. This is a trained volunteer position. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Front Lobby
Days/Times:
Monday-Friday:
2-hour to 4-hour shifts are available between 5pm and 10pm; current needs are for Friday evening volunteers
Saturday and Sunday:
2-hour to 4-hour shifts available between 10am and 10pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Donation Center Receiving Clerk
Volunteers are needed to receive non-food donations at our Donation Center. Responsibilities include unloading donations from donors' vehicles and preparing tax receipts. These volunteers will start immediately, and will work at our new Donation Center as of July 6. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to lift 30 pounds.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Donation Center, 1200 Corporation Parkway, Suite 121, Raleigh
Days/Times:
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Donation Center Data Entry Clerk - CURRENTLY FILLED
Volunteers with strong computer skills are needed to compile and enter data in our computer system so that we can track donations. These volunteers serve at our off-site Donation Center. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Donation Center, 1200 Corporation Parkway, Suite 121, Raleigh
Days/Times:
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Donation Center Distribution Selector
These volunteers work at our Donation Center sorting donated items for distribution to various ministry areas. Responsibilities include pulling items posted on our needs list, packing them in storage containers and preparing them for distribution. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to lift 30 pounds.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Donation Center, 1200 Corporation Parkway, Suite 121, Raleigh
Days/Times:
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Donation Center Shipping Clerk
Volunteers are needed at our Donation Center to move and load items on trucks for distribution to various ministry areas. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to lift 30 pounds.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Donation Center, 1200 Corporation Parkway, Suite 121, Raleigh
Days/Times:
Tuesday-Friday: 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Donation Center Inventory Controller
Volunteers ware needed at our Donation Center to track inventory levels and restock items as needed. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have strong organizational and administrative skills.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Donation Center, 1200 Corporation Parkway, Suite 121, Raleigh
Days/Times:
Tuesday-Friday: 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Computer Lab Facilitator - CURRENTLY FILLED
Volunteers are needed to facilitate computer lab time for clients and community members. Volunteers assist students in working with basic functions in Microsoft Office.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Adult Learning Center
Days/Times:
Saturday: 10am-11:30am
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Tutor
Tutors assist adult residents in building academic and vocational skills. Tutors must be able to explain math or reading concepts from an elementary school level to a high school level.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Adult Learning Center
Days/Times:
Monday-Thursday: 2pm-4pm
occasionally need tutors Monday-Thursday evenings: 6pm-8pm
Frequency:
Weekly
Early Childhood Assistant
Volunteers with a big heart and gentle spirit are needed to assist teachers in our W.E. Mangum Children’s Development Center in caring for children, ages 2 1/2 – 5. Background and reference checks, as well as a TB test, are required.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission W.E. Mangum Children’s Development Center
Days/Times:
Monday-Thursday: 8am-12pm--time may be split up during this shift
Friday-8am-12pm
Monday-Friday: 2pm-4pm
Frequency:
Daily, Weekly
Children's Development Center Substitute
Volunteers who enjoy young children ages 2 1/2 - 5 are needed to substitute occasionally in the the Children's Development Center. Reference checks, as well as a TB test, are required.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission W.E. Mangum Children’s Development Center
Days/Times:
Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm, 8am-12pm or 2-4pm
Frequency:
As needed
Medical Practitioner
Medical practitioners, including nutritionists, dietitians, physician's assistants, physical therapists and podiatrists, are needed to conduct workshops in health maintenance and well-being. Experience with the indigent, mentally ill and homeless population is preferred.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Medical Clinic
Days/Times:
Days and hours flexible
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Dentist
Volunteer dentists are needed to help patients with acute dental problems. Volunteers will assist patients on the NC Baptist Men's Dental Bus when it is parked in front of the Raleigh Rescue Mission. All dental supplies and equipment are provided by the Dental Bus.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission, Dental Bus
Days/Times:
Friday: 8am-1pm
Frequency:
Quarterly
Dental Assistant
Volunteer dental assistants are needed to help patients with acute dental problems. Volunteers will assist patients on the NC Baptist Men's Dental Bus when it is parked in front of the Raleigh Rescue Mission. All dental supplies and equipment are provided by the Dental Bus.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission, Dental Bus
Days/Times:
Friday: 8am-1pm
Frequency:
Quarterly
Meal Service: Prepare, Serve, Clean Up or Full Service
We provide three nutritious meals a day to our clients. We invite volunteers to assist in either preparing or serving and cleaning up following the meal or to do full service, which includes all of these tasks. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Please note: Weekend opportunities for individuals are very limited.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Kitchen
Frequency:
Weekly, Biweekly, Monthly
Times:
Monday - Saturday
Breakfast:
Full Service Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 5am-8am
Lunch: PLEASE NOTE: SATURDAY LUNCH IS CURRENTLY FILLED
Prep: 9am-11am
Serve and Clean Up: 11am-12:30pm
Full Service: 9am-12:30pm
Dinner:
Prep: 2:30pm-5pm
Serve and Clean Up: 5pm-6:30pm
Full Service: 2:30pm-6:30pm
Times:
Sunday
Breakfast:
Full Service: 5:30am-8:30am
Dinner:
Prep: 2:30pm-5pm
Serve and Clean Up: 5pm-6:30pm
Full Service: 2:30pm-6:30pm
Food Pantry Organization – CURRENTLY FILLED
We are blessed to receive a number of donated food items. We need volunteers to organize, sort and distribute items in the appropriate storage area. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Food Pantry, Kitchen Area
Days/Times:
Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm
Frequency:
Weekly
Fresh Market Pickup
The Fresh Market in Cameron Village donates produce and deli products to Raleigh Rescue Mission each morning. We seek reliable volunteers to pick up the donations and deliver them to the Mission one or more mornings a week. You may use your own vehicle or a Raleigh Rescue Mission vehicle. A valid NC driver's license is required.
Location:
Fresh Market Cameron Village to Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Monday-Friday: 8am-9:30am
Frequency:
Weekly
Whole Foods Pickup -- SUNDAY VOLUNTEER NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to pick up donations from Whole Foods on Wade Avenue, deliver them to Raleigh Rescue Mission and unload in the kitchen. You may use your own vehicle or a Raleigh Rescue Mission vehicle. A valid NC driver's license is required.
Location:
Whole Foods Wade Avenue to Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Tuesday, Thursday: 8am-9:30am; Sunday (every other week): 10:00am-11:30am
Frequency:
Weekly
Starbucks Pickup
Volunteers are needed to pick up pastry donations from Starbucks at Triangle Town Center in North Raleigh, deliver them to Raleigh Rescue Mission and unload them in the kitchen. A valid NC driver's license is required.
Location:
Starbucks at Triangle Town Center to Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday: anytime from 7:30am-9pm
Frequency:
Once or twice per week
Food Lion Pickup
We need volunteers to pick up donations from the Food Lion on Raleigh Blvd., deliver them to Raleigh Rescue Mission and unload them in our kitchen. You may use your own vehicle or a Raleigh Rescue Mission vehicle. A valid NC driver's license is required.
Location:
Raleigh Blvd. Food Lion to Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Monday, Tuesday: 10am-11:30am
Frequency:
Weekly
Group Volunteer Opportunities
Click each item for a full description:
Rub a Dub Dub, The Walls Need to Be Scrubbed
Help keep the Mission walls clean by bringing cleaning pads and then applying some elbow grease to wipe off smudges. This is a great activity for youth and adult groups that can be combined with another volunteer opportunity.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Monday-Friday, about 1 hour between 9am and 5pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Donation Center
Volunteers are needed at our Donation Center to receive non-food donations, sort donations and restock items as needed. Responsibilities include unloading donations from donors' vehicles and preparing tax receipts. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to lift 30 pounds.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Donation Center, 1200 Corporation Parkway, Suite 121, Raleigh
Days/Times:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Outdoor Cleanup Crew
Teams are needed to help clean and maintain the outdoor areas around Raleigh Rescue Mission, including our New Bern Ave. property and our playground. This includes picking up and disposing of debris, as well as possibly mowing and trimming. If needed, Raleigh Rescue Mission will provide trash bags and work gloves upon request. Adult supervision for individuals under 18 is required.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission grounds, 8 Acres of Hope at the corner of New Bern Ave. and Swain St., and RRM playground at the corner of Bloodworth and Hargett streets
Days/Times:
Monday through Saturday, times flexible. Typically a great Saturday activity for 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
Vehicle Detailing Teams
Help keep our Mission vehicles clean! This is a wonderful small-group activity. Responsibilities include washing the exterior, vacuuming and cleaning the interior of vehicles.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Monday-Saturday: 9:30am-11:30am or 1:30-3:30pm
Frequency:
Weekly
Color Our World…Beige!
We need experienced teams to paint interior walls and trim at Raleigh Rescue Mission. It would be a wonderful blessing for the group to bring supplies such as brushes, rollers, drop cloths, paint pans and buckets, tape, ladders, screwdrivers and paint stirrers. If a group is unable to provide supplies, please notify Raleigh Rescue Mission and they will be provided. We will supply paint. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 4-hour shifts between 9am and 4pm
Frequency:
March, June, September
Grounds Landscaping Crew
This is a great volunteer opportunity for those who love to work outdoors! We need help keeping the grounds maintained by pulling weeds, trimming shrubs, mowing the grass, spreading mulch and fertilizer.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission grounds
Days/Times:
Monday-Saturday: 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm
Frequency:
Weekly March through October
Kitchen Cleaners
Volunteers are needed to deep clean our kitchen and dining hall by sanitizing the stove, walls, refrigeration units, shelving, food prep workstations, dining hall tables and chairs.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Kitchen
Days/Times:
Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm
Frequency:
January, March/April, October
Adopt a Garden
Create a garden at your home, church, school or, space permitting, even here at Raleigh Rescue Mission! Grow your favorite vegetables or flowers and deliver them to Raleigh Rescue Mission. Groups will provide plants and soil.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission or off-site
Days/Times:
If at Raleigh Rescue Mission, Monday-Saturday 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm
Frequency:
As needed
CDC Sanitation Team
Bring your crew of 5-10 people to sanitize the Children’s Development Center. We sanitize to meet the Health Department regulations and to keep the children’s center healthy! This is a great opportunity for groups of middle-school and older youth (adult supervision required) as well as adults.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Children’s Development Center
Days/Times:
Saturday: 9:30am-11:30am -- NOTE: ALL SATURDAYS ASSIGNED EXCEPT FOR 1ST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH
Frequency:
Weekly, Monthly
CDC Playground Cleanup
Have your crew of 5-10 people come and sanitize the Children's Development Center outdoor playground! This is a great opportunity for groups of middle-school and older youth when combined with the CDC sanitation activity; adult supervision is required.
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Children's Development Center
Days/Times:
Saturday: 9am-10am
Frequency:
Monthly
Meal Service: Prepare, Serve, Clean Up or Full Service
We provide three nutritious meals a day to our clients and need volunteers to help with this service. We invite small groups to assist in preparing, serving and cleaning up following a meal or to do full service, which incorporates everything. We also welcome groups that can “sponsor” a meal by providing and serving the meal, especially on the weekends.
Groups larger than 5 people will need to rotate the participation of their members. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and adhere to our dress code (see Volunteer Guidelines for more details).
Location:
Raleigh Rescue Mission Kitchen
Duration:
Weekly, Monthly
Times:
Monday-Saturday
Breakfast:
Full Service: 5am-8:30am
Lunch: PLEASE NOTE: SATURDAY LUNCH IS CURRENTLY FILLED.
Prep: 9am-11am
Serve and Clean Up: 11am-12:30pm
Full Service: 9am-12:30pm
Dinner:
Prep: 2:30pm-5pm
Serve and Clean Up: 5pm-6:30pm
Full Service: 2:30pm-6:30pm
Times:
Sunday
Full Service: 5:30am-8:30am
Dinner: PLEASE NOTE: SUNDAY DINNER IS CURRENTLY FILLED.
Prep: 2:30pm-5pm
Serve and Clean Up: 5pm-6:30pm
Full Service: 2:30pm-6:30pm
Sunday Sack Lunches
Help provide the Sunday noon meal for our clients by making sack lunches that include a sandwich, chips, fruit, dessert and drink. Your group will prepare 85 lunches and deliver them to the Mission on Saturday. This a fantastic opportunity for groups!
Location:
Drop off to Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Saturday
Frequency:
Monthly
Lunches-To-Go
We have several women and children who use our Emergency Overnight Services each night. These lunch bags will be provided to the women and children when they leave in the morning so that they will have a healthy lunch to take with them. We need 30 lunches each day of the week.
Location:
Drop off to Raleigh Rescue Mission
Days/Times:
Sunday-Saturday prior to 7pm for next-day distribution
Frequency:
Daily, Weekly, Monthly
Home baked goods are always a welcome treat!
Have a holiday, birthday or "just for the fun of it" party and ask your guests to bring items to donate to the Mission. Examples of items that could be donated include canned goods, pajamas, toiletries, flip-flops, rain ponchos or holiday gifts.
Take construction paper and cover it with clear contact paper to make place mats. You can decorate and write an encouraging word or verse on the placemats. We would need approximately 100.
In your school, church or neighborhood group, create and cut out items to decorate our bulletin board. The board can be decorated with a seasonal theme or an "inspiration and encouragement" theme.
Looking at our urgent needs, create a grocery shopping list, assemble your coupons and have each group member shop with their family to donate an item on the list.
Lunches-To-Go is another activity that is great for kids' and adult groups! Click on the Food Services tab for more information.
Volunteer Application
We’d love to have you come share your time with us. Click here to get started on your on-line volunteer application so that we can fit you in just the right role.
