Maybe you have a little extra time on your hands this summer. Maybe you want to teach your children about selflessness and empathy. Or maybe you just want to give back to the city that you love. No matter the reason, Boston Cares has hundreds of opportunities for people of any age and ability to volunteer their time to worthwhile Massachusetts charities.
Most events require that volunteers first attend a Boston Cares orientation, so be sure to sign up for an upcoming session!
Here are just a few of the upcoming weekend events you may want to join in this July. Click here to see the entire calendar!
Saturday July 1
Serve Breakfast at the New England Center & Home for Veterans
Volunteers age 16 and up will be gathering to serve a hot meal to the heroes living at the nation’s first and largest veteran-specific homeless shelter. The New England Center & Home for Veterans provides a safe place to live and several services to homeless veterans including counseling, vocational training, job search workshops, living skills and health-related programs.
Distribute Food at the American Red Cross Pantry
The Red Cross provides disaster relief, and also helps families in distress. Volunteers at the Boston Food Pantry work to provide a 3-day supply of emergency food to 4,500 low-income clients per month. Volunteers at this event will help distribute food to clients, prepare bags of perishable items for distribution, and pack food bags for the next distribution date.
Harvest Seeds of Hope
Volunteers 13 and up are invited to join in the first 2017 event of the Harvesting Seeds of Hope program. Plant, maintain and harvest a sustainable garden side by side with residents of the Paul Sullivan Housing Unit of the Pine Street Inn in Jamaica Plain.
Saturday July 8
Serve Lunch at the St. Francis House
St. Francis House is the largest day shelter in New England. Located in the heart of Boston,
it serves over 800 poor and homeless men and women a day, 365 days a year. Volunteers 17 and up will help prepare and serve lunch to the guests.
Park Restoration & Cleanup with the Esplanade Association
Volunteers 12 and up are welcome, but kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You will assist the Horticulturist in keeping the Esplanade along the banks of the Charles River looking beautiful by cleaning up and participating in maintenance projects like gardening, infrastructure maintenance, raking, and painting.
Saturday July 15
Distribute Food at the Harvest Food Pantry
Adult volunteers are welcome to bring their children aged 6 and up for a wonderful opportunity to assist The Harvard Food Pantry. They have been providing groceries, fresh produce and clothing to Cambridge residents in need since 1989.
Play with Cats & Clean Up at the Gifford Cat Center
This safe haven for abandoned, abused and neglected Boston-area cats was founded by Ellen Gifford in 1884 and continues to provide sanctuary for them today. Volunteers for this event will refill food and water bowls, perform general cleanup, and most importantly – provide love and snuggles to the adoptable kitties!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU6_yS-BndI/?tagged=giffordcatshelter
Saturday July 22
Board Games, Bingo & Crafting with Seniors
*NOTE: Volunteers are required to fill out and complete a Massachusetts CORI form 24 hours prior to volunteering at Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. The Volunteer Leader for this project will email you with the appropriate forms after you sign up!*
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTXQGI9BYOV/?taken-at=111418942256293
Saturday July 29
Mock Citizenship Interviews at St. Mark’s
Volunteers 18 and older can assist aspiring US citizens as they prepare for their upcoming exams. Join one of the St. Marks Community Education Program Citizenship classes to provide students with extra practice on the interview portion of the citizenship exam – all questions and prompts will be provided.