Discover many ways to give back to Toledo’s vibrant community, from helping seniors to watching children and even sprucing up art galleries! Food For Thought Fridays, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich assembly initiative for social good every week, sets an important example of how individuals can make a difference. To proactively get involved in the lives of people around you, consider volunteering for The Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank Harvest Market, SeaGate Food Bank, Connecting Kids to Meals, NAMI Toledo, Mayores Senior Center, Family House, or Together. Additionally, Mosaic Ministries solicits babysitters, and the Arts Commission seeks volunteers to host events.
Give Back to the Toledo Community
Food For Thought offers a great way to give back to the Toledo community. Every Friday, volunteers can come together to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – an excellent opportunity for socializing while doing good! It’s a rewarding way to get involved and make a real difference in the lives of those in need.
Volunteer to Make a Difference in Northwest Ohio
Make a meaningful impact in Northwest Ohio and explore the area while doing so when you volunteer for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank’s Harvest Market, SAME Cafe Toledo, Connecting Kids to Meals, SeaGate Food Bank, NAMI Toledo or Mayores Senior Center. From delivering groceries to seniors in need to leading workshops within Creative Expressions art support groups, these organizations provide an inspiring way to give back and make a difference in the local community.
Volunteering Opportunities in Toledo, Ohio
The Family House is an organization that strives to keep families together during difficult times, by offering classes that help with employment and independent housing. Volunteers can assist by leading classes, sorting donations, painting walls, and serving meals. Mosaic Ministries of Toledo is seeking volunteer babysitters who can watch children on Saturday mornings while their parents attend Baby University.
This allows parents to focus on the 10-week parenting workshops, which connect them to vital community resources such as safe housing, medical and mental health services, and food assistance. The US Together, the area’s refugee resettlement and immigrant services agency, is actively recruiting volunteers to make newcomers feel welcomed and supported. Moreover, The Arts Commission is proud to host over 1,500 visitors for each season’s Art Loop, where volunteers can welcome guests, facilitate tours, and coordinate with participating artists at various venues.
Participating in River Clean-Ups and Volunteering with Local Park Systems
Take pride in being a part of a community that values clean waterways! There are many ways to contribute, from participating in river clean-ups and adopting fishing line recycling bins to event planning and volunteering with local park systems like Wood County, Olander, and the Metroparks. Toledo Grows invites volunteers every Wednesday from June to October to make a difference by helping in the garden beds, greenhouses, and across their urban farm property. With Cherry Street Mission’s Conversation Friend volunteer program, individuals can provide support and encouragement to their guests. Area Office on Aging’s Friendly Caller Program allows volunteers to socialize with homebound or lonely older adults, offering them comfort and reminding them that someone cares.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater is a stunning venue, and volunteers are needed to welcome guests and distribute programs at major cultural events. As an added perk, volunteers get to see the performances they work for, completely free of charge! The Ability Center offers volunteer opportunities for residential Ramp Builds, and even those with little experience are welcome to join in. Beach House is searching for blog writers and help with link building to increase SEO, and those who are interested but lack experience will be trained. Finally, First Tee Lake Erie is perfect for those looking to make a difference as a mentor or golf instructor by integrating the game of golf with life skills for kids year-round.
Volunteering Opportunities in Toledo
Volunteer with Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers to help build and restore homes in the greater Toledo area. Experienced and licensed Construction Site Volunteers provide leadership and help others develop their skills.
Join the Oak Openings Horse Corp with Metroparks Toledo
Make a big impact on larger animals like horses by joining the Oak Openings Horse Corp at Metroparks Toledo. This volunteer program assists in the maintenance of the horse trails, such as keeping up with hitching posts, mounting platforms, and other amenities along the bridle trails.
Volunteer with Lucas County Canine Care & Control
At Lucas County Canine Care & Control, volunteers over 18 are encouraged to take shelter dogs off-property to help them become accustomed to the outside world and engage in activities such as going to the park, running errands, or attending training at Rescue University!
Long-Term Volunteering with Nature’s Nursery
Nature’s Nursery offers a long-term volunteer commitment that is highly rewarding – rehab volunteers are essential to the organization’s goal of releasing animals back into the wild. Training is provided, and there are several positions available, including Animal Transport, Foster Care, Avian Volunteers, NICU/Nursery Volunteers, and more, including junior positions.
Read for Literacy’s Adult & Family Literacy Tutor Program
Read for Literacy is proud to offer a volunteer program that empowers adults in Lucas County to reach their literacy goals. Over 50,000 residents struggle to read at a basic level, hindering their ability to access the news, find employment, and help their children with homework. With Read for Literacy’s Adult & Family Literacy Tutor Program, volunteers can make a difference in their community by providing tutoring services without requiring prior teaching experience; the organization will provide training in various curriculums.
Volunteer Opportunities at The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio and Toledo Zoo
The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio is always looking for passionate individuals who are eager to help people live independently. Volunteers can staff health fairs and educate those with vision loss on the services and tools available to them, such as home safety enhancements, high-tech assistive devices, daily living adaptations, white cane training, and caregiver support. Similarly, Toledo Zoo offers a great opportunity for those interested in learning about animals, by providing year-round, long-term volunteer opportunities. As part of this program, Zoo Educators lead talks, assist with activity and biofact tables, demonstrate live animals, and even have the chance to lead off-grounds activities at community events.
Volunteer Opportunities in the Toledo Area
Young people in the Toledo area have a variety of ways to give back and make an impact. Organizations such as Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Metroparks Toledo, Lucas County Canine Care & Control, and Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity offer volunteer opportunities that not only fulfill required service hours for school but also provide teens with valuable skills for their future. For even more chances to get involved, check out the United Way Volunteer Opportunities Database. Teens in the area now have the chance to make a real difference!
Through volunteering with Food For Thought or other sophisticated compassionate organizations in the Toledo area, one can make a lasting impact in the local community. Whether helping to provide meals to those in need, setting up interviews for new immigrants, or spreading warmth and care to children and families that are underserved within society, volunteers can shine brilliantly. By engaging with the many giving opportunities Toledo has to offer, kindness will be returned in unexpected forms as Toledo slowly plods into a more equitable future.
