Individual Opportunities in Minneapolis and St. Paul
How To Get Started
Becoming a volunteer at Open Arms is easy! Your first step is to create an account on VolunteerHub. (If you’re under the age of 16, please see our age requirements to learn how to begin.) Once you create your account, you can either register for an IN PERSON orientation or complete the virtual training listed below as Option B. Once you’ve finished orientation you can volunteer as frequently as you’d like.
Shifts are available six days a week, morning through evening, and are typically two hours long. You’ll be able to easily schedule your shifts with our online VolunteerHub, and you can try out several volunteer roles to find a good fit.
Option A
In-Person Orientation
Two
Join the 1hr orientation
Option B
Virtual (Kitchen) Orientation
FOUR
Volunteers Are The Heart & Soul Of Open Arms
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Open Arms. From preparing medically tailored meals in our state-of-the-art kitchen to delivering our nourishing food to our critically ill clients, every aspect of our operations is made possible because of the incredible dedication of our volunteers.
Join us in making a profound difference for our neighbors living with life-threatening illnesses. We have a wide variety of opportunities and will work with you to find the perfect fit for your skills, interests, and availability.
Find more information below or get in touch with us about volunteering by email or by calling 612-872-1152.
Ways to Help
In the Kitchen
Prepare, portion, and package food — no culinary skills necessary! This is a great setting to hang out with other volunteers, pick up tips and tricks from our kitchen staff, and be enveloped in amazing kitchen smells. Shifts are available six days a week, morning through evening, and are typically two hours long.
On Delivery
Interact with clients and see the impact of our work by delivering meals! Pick up your route at your scheduled time (between 10:45-11:30), then deliver food to clients (typically 4-8 stops on your route) in the Twin Cities geographic area of your choice. Friends and kids of all ages welcome! Deliveries happen Monday through Friday and are usually 1–2 hours long. (Mon-Wed pick in Minneapolis and Th-F pick up in St. Paul).
At Our Open Farms
Grow tasty veggies for our kitchen and meet new people. From April to November, help us plant, prune, weed, and harvest at our multiple urban gardens throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul. Youth as young as 6 are welcome when accompanied by an adult!
In the Office
Be the smiling face of Open Arms as you welcome visitors at our greeter desk! We are especially looking for committed volunteers who are available once per week.
Additional information
Age Requirements
We welcome kids ages 6 to 16 with some conditions and special circumstances. Learn more and sign up for a youth or parent/guardian orientation.
Dress Code By Volunteer Area
Footwear
Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles or good traction. Open-back shoes are okay as long as they meet these requirements.
Hair & Facial Hair
Hairnet or hat required. Long hair pulled back and off face/shoulders. Beard net required for more than closely shaved facial hair.
Clothing
Shorts, skirts and dresses below mid-thigh. No cut-offs with frayed, ripped, altered or unfinished hems. Secure loose clothing. Clothing appropriate for lifting and moving items.
Jewelry & Personal Items
No watches, fitness trackers, bracelets, necklaces, dangling earrings, earbuds, headphones or other loose items.
Footwear
Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles or good traction. Open-back shoes are okay as long as they meet these requirements.
Hair & Facial Hair
Hairnets and beard nets not required unless handling exposed food. Secure long hair when needed for safety.
Clothing
Shorts, skirts and dresses below mid-thigh. No cut-offs with frayed, ripped, altered or unfinished hems. Clothing appropriate for lifting and moving items.
Jewelry & Personal Items
No watches, fitness trackers, bracelets, necklaces, dangling earrings, earbuds, headphones or other loose items.
Footwear
Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles or good traction. Open-back shoes are okay as long as they meet these requirements.
Hair & Facial Hair
Hairnets and beard nets not required unless handling exposed food. Long hair should be secured.
Clothing
Shorts, skirts and dresses below mid-thigh. No cut-offs with frayed, ripped, altered or unfinished hems. Clothing appropriate for lifting and moving items. Dress for weather and outdoor work.
Jewelry & Personal Items
No earbuds or headphones. Remove or secure loose or dangling items that could interfere with the work or create a safety concern.
Footwear
Closed-toe, sturdy shoes appropriate for outdoor conditions.
Hair & Facial Hair
Hair coverings and beard nets not required. Secure long hair when needed for safety.
Clothing
Shorts, skirts and dresses below mid-thigh. No cut-offs with frayed, ripped, altered or unfinished hems. Dress for weather and outdoor work.
Jewelry & Personal Items
Remove or secure loose or dangling items that could interfere with the work or create a safety concern.
Footwear
Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles or good traction. Open-back shoes are okay as long as they meet these requirements.
Hair & Facial Hair
Hairnet or hat required. Long hair pulled back and off face/shoulders. Beard net required for more than closely shaved facial hair.
Clothing
Shorts, skirts and dresses below mid-thigh. No cut-offs with frayed, ripped, altered or unfinished hems. Secure loose clothing. Clothing appropriate for lifting and moving items.
Jewelry & Personal Items
No watches, fitness trackers, bracelets, necklaces, dangling earrings, earbuds, headphones or other loose items.
Footwear
Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles or good traction; appropriate for walking, lifting and moving supplies.
Hair & Facial Hair
Hair coverings and beard nets not required. Secure long hair when needed for safety.
Clothing
Shorts, skirts and dresses below mid-thigh. No cut-offs with frayed, ripped, altered or unfinished hems. Clothing must allow safe lifting, carrying, loading and setup. Dress for weather and outdoor work, if/when applicable.
Jewelry & Personal Items
Remove or secure loose or dangling items that could interfere with the work or create a safety concern.
Dress Expectations For All Volunteer Areas
No messages, images or symbols that could reasonably be considered offensive, discriminatory, threatening, sexually explicit or disruptive. Avoid political candidates, campaigns or partisan messages.
Connect with Volunteer Engagement before the shift whenever possible.
Volunteers will be asked to correct, remove or secure anything that does not meet expectations. Another activity may be offered when possible; otherwise, the volunteer may not be able to participate in the shift.
Community Service Volunteering
Looking to complete required community service hours? We’re glad to welcome you to our Volunteer Community!
Steps to Get Started
1. Approval Required
All individuals must be approved before volunteering. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Open Arms reserves the right to approve or deny participation in alignment with our guidelines and to ensure the safety of our community.
2. Supportive Documentation
Documentation must include your full name, total service hours required, and due date for service completion.
Email a scanned copy of your supportive documentation to [email protected].
3. Wait for Confirmation
Once your documentation is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive an email outlining the next steps and specific details about how you can complete your required hours.
We look forward to working with you as you complete your hours and give back to the community!
Questions?
Get in touch with us about volunteering at Open Arms. Email [email protected] or call 612-872-1152.
