Volunteer Toledo: Your Guide To Giving Back

Fall is a great time to give back, from sharing your time with a local organization to helping a cause close to your heart, there are plenty of ways to lend a helping hand while making a difference in the Toledo community. Explore these volunteer opportunities and find a way to get involved this season.

FIGHTING HUNGER

Food For Thought

Help make a difference in the Toledo area by volunteering with Food For Thought. Individuals, families, schools, churches and companies can get involved while helping provide food, friendship and dignity to neighbors in need. [email protected] to register. feedtoledo.org/how-you-can-help

Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank

Join the fight against hunger by volunteering with the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank for individuals, groups and those completing court-ordered community service. Register online. toledofoodbank.org/volunteer

EatWell Cafe

EatWell Cafe offers a unique way to support the community through pay-what-you-can dining. Guests enjoy a fresh, nourishing meal while helping make healthy food accessible to everyone. To learn more and how you can help, visit eatwellcafe.org/#how-it-works

Connecting Kids to Meals

Volunteer with Connecting Kids to Meals to provide healthy, well-balanced meals to children across Northwest Ohio including packing meals, preparing supplies, loading vans and helping at special events. connectingkidstomeals.org/take-action/the-volunteer-experience

Seagate Food Bank 

Volunteer with Seagate Food Bank and help fight hunger across Northwest Ohio with sorting, packing and distributing food, to ensure nutritious meals reach neighbors in need. seagatefoodbank.org/volunteer

LENDING A HAND

Cherry Street Mission

Volunteer with Cherry Street Mission Ministries to help support those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Toledo with serving meals or helping with daily operations, to play an important role in creating a welcoming, supportive community. cherrystreetmission.org/volunteer

Mosaic Ministries 

Mosaic Ministries welcomes teams and individual volunteers across every area of its ministry. Volunteers assist with child care, music, cooking, nutrition classes and more. mosaicministries.us/get-involved/volunteer

Habitat For Humanity

Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity offers several ways to support affordable homeownership in Lucas County. Volunteers can help build and repair homes, assist with community projects or lend a hand at the ReStore, where organizing, cleaning, repurposing donations and customer service are just a few ways to get involved. All skill levels are welcome, and group opportunities are available. ReStore volunteers must be at least 18 years old. mvhabitat.org/restore/volunteer.html

CARING FOR OTHERS

Ability Center

Give your time to support people with disabilities through volunteer opportunities at The Ability Center by assisting with programs, events and community activities while helping to create greater accessibility, inclusion and independence throughout Northwest Ohio. abilitycenter.org/volunteering 

NAMI Toledo 

Give back through NAMI Toledo’s volunteer opportunities, to support individuals and families through education, advocacy and community programs. Volunteers help strengthen mental health resources throughout the Toledo area. namitoledo.org/get-involved

Neighborhood Health Association

Help make a difference with the Neighborhood Health Association by volunteering to support local patients and community health programs. nhainc.org/volunteer-at-nha

Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio

Volunteer with the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio and help older adults remain connected, supported and independent, while making a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults. areaofficeonaging.com/volunteer

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

Partners for Clean Streams

Help protect Northwest Ohio’s rivers and streams by volunteering with Partners for Clean Streams. Volunteers take part in cleanups, conservation projects and community events, to remove litter and improve the health of local waterways. partnersforcleanstreams.org/volunteer

Toledo Grows

Volunteer with Toledo GROWs to grow healthier, more sustainable neighborhoods throughout Toledo by working in community gardens, supporting urban agriculture projects and taking part in educational programs and events. toledogrows.org/volunteering-tours

Metroparks Toledo

Help keep Toledo Metroparks beautiful and welcoming by volunteering for park maintenance projects including trail work, habitat restoration, invasive plant removal and litter cleanup. metroparkstoledo.com/get-involved/volunteer/maintaining-our-parks

FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS

Nature’s Nursery

Volunteer with Nature’s Nursery and help care for injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife. Volunteers assist with animal care, food preparation, cleaning, transporting, fundraising, education and other tasks. natures-nursery.org/volunteer

Lucas County Canine & Control

Volunteer with Lucas County Canine Care & Control and help provide care and support for dogs in the community. Volunteers assist with dog walking, socialization, enrichment, cleaning and other shelter needs. lucascountydogs.com/volunteer-information

Toledo Zoo

Volunteer with the Toledo Zoo and help connect visitors with wildlife and conservation. Opportunities include supporting educational programs, special events, guest services and other zoo activities. toledozoo.org/volunteer

Paws and Whiskers

Paws & Whiskers welcomes volunteers to help care for cats at its shelter. Those interested can email John at [email protected] or stop by the shelter Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 4 pm to fill out an application. Volunteer orientations are scheduled throughout the month. pawsandwhiskers.org/volunteer

Toledo Humane Society

Toledo Humane Society needs dependable volunteers to help care for shelter animals. Volunteers age 16 and older must attend orientation and commit to six hours a month. Junior volunteer opportunities are available for ages 10-15 with an adult. At-home projects, group volunteering and thrift store opportunities are also available. toledohumane.org/volunteer

ARTS & EDUCATION

The Arts Commission

Get involved with The Arts Commission to support the arts and culture across the Toledo region at events, programs and community initiatives while connecting with local artists. theartscommission.org/support/volunteer

Read for Literacy

Help strengthen literacy in the Toledo community by volunteering with Read for Literacy. Volunteers support adult learners through tutoring and other programs, helping to build reading, writing and communication skills. readforliteracy.org/support#volunteer

National Museum of the Great Lakes 

Help keep the National Museum of the Great Lakes running by joining its monthly Volunteers 1st Day. All ages and interests are welcome. The first of every month. Register online. nmgl.org/volunteer