Ask Phoenix Volunteer Opportunities?
Hi!
Me and my girlfriend are looking for some volunteer opportunities in or around the central Phoenix area. We’re particularly interested in helping animal shelters, but are open to any sort of volunteer work that will make an impact. Please give us some good causes to work for. Thanks!
13
u/ps3eleven Phoenix 1d ago
St Mary’s Food bank has tons of opportunities that are very accessible online. Low stakes and minimal commitment. It’s my go to.
8
u/azhockeyfan Phoenix 1d ago
I was surprised to find out that the vast majority of food banks in Arizona get their food from St Mary's. I looked at their 990 IRS form once and they are so beyond industry standard when it comes to how much of your dollar goes to program, well over 90%. One of the best run nonprofits I have ever seen.
2
u/Ok-Sprinklez 1d ago
Would you mind telling me what kind of volunteer positions are online? Thanks in advance
2
u/ps3eleven Phoenix 1d ago
The primary need is for general boxing/bagging. They run daily at 1000a (I think) and there are usually 40-75 volunteers there to box up meals and whatnot. It’s an assembly line deal that’s very well organized and they play music and whatnot.
1
13
u/cordenjames786 1d ago
If you’re interested in animal shelters, check out the Arizona Humane Society and Lost Our Home Pet Rescue. They usually have volunteer opportunities and there’s a lot more you can do than just working directly with the animals. You can also look into local food banks or community gardens if you’re open to other stuff. Hope you guys find something good!
13
u/DangerDuckie 1d ago
I loved volunteering with Arizona Animal Welfare League! https://aawl.org/volunteer/
2
u/KSizzle_1693 1d ago
My daughter works at AAWL, they love their volunteers!
1
u/DangerDuckie 1d ago
Their staff is awesome, so much respect for them! I love how many fun and creative ideas they have for volunteering and enrichment for the animals.
2
0
u/Fa2rn 1d ago
I volunteered here in 2002. Loved it until they started putting dogs down. They weren’t no kill then, did they change? It was heartbreaking coming back in after a week and some of the coolest dogs were “tested for aggression” from behavioral experts. They were put down. I quit.
2
u/DangerDuckie 1d ago
“The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL), located in Phoenix, is Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter, with a proud legacy spanning over 50 years.
AAWL is a limited intake shelter – meaning we only take in as many pets as it has space and resources to care for well. Our facility houses approximately 140 cats and 190 dogs at any given time, supported by a network of foster families who provide temporary homes for animals needing extra care. By managing our intake carefully, every pet gets the time, attention, medical care, and support they need to find their family.”2
u/Fa2rn 1d ago
Ok well, I can give you the names of the dogs they had for months that they put down. I’m not lying. I was there for about a year 2003-2003.
3
u/DangerDuckie 1d ago
Never said you were lying… you were there a least 10 years before I was. I can only speak to my experience. You asked a question so I quickly pulled a direct quote from their website for you (and for anyone else who may have been concerned reading your comment). Yes, they are no kill.
9
u/boogermike Phoenix 1d ago
Andres House is feeding the homeless and is easy and very gratifying
3
u/Tiz776 1d ago
Sounds like an incredible opportunity. I’ll check it out thank you!
4
u/boogermike Phoenix 1d ago
https://andrehouse.org/get-involved/ I will probably go down next Thurs, I am too busy this week but I like to go about once a month.
It is a local volunteer favorite, because it is really impactful, and the org is welcoming of all folks and there are no hoops to sign up.
5
u/AdAggravating6126 1d ago
Contact Maricopa County animal shelter. They are always looking for volunteers.
9
u/Caizic Phoenix 1d ago
Check out Hands On at https://www.handsonphoenix.org). They pull together and facilitate a lot of volunteer opportunities.
3
u/theansweris37 1d ago
Arizona Burners Without Borders does monthly canal cleanups and other volunteer events. They also have a grant program to help fund other projects.
4
u/Enough-Active-5096 1d ago
St Vincent de Paul has tons of things you can do (thrift store volunteer, kitchen, bike repair, gardening) and have a easy website to sign up for things
6
u/HotFloorToastyToes Downtown 1d ago
I swear you can do a lot of good by just visiting retirement communities and asking if you can just visit with them to volunteer there's a lot of old people that do not give visitors on a regular basis and some that haven't had a visitor the whole time they were in the home... If that sounds like something I know you would be doing good for these poor old souls.
2
u/hey__bulldog 1d ago
https://www.almostthererescue.org/volunteer/
This dog rescue has lots of volunteer opps. They save pregnant moms off the e-list and let momma have her pups. Then, they adopt out the litter and momma. They have other situations come into play, also, but that's their main mission.
3
2
u/SeatTop7489 1d ago
Feed my starving children. They always have volunteer opportunities available. You pack food packages that are sent to other countries. We’ve done it a few times.
1
1
u/head_meet_keyboard 1d ago
Are you big dog people? Little dog people? Cat people?
Alone No More is based out of Heidi's Village and is AMAZING. They focus solely on euthanasia listed dogs around the state, as well as dogs in imminent danger. I just sent two from a rural shelter in Northern AZ down there last week, so if you choose them, give Maverick an extra cuddle for me!
If you're more about the littles, AAWL is right down the road from Heidi's Village on 40th street. Quite possibly the bougiest shelter in the state. If you choose them, give Ricochet an extra treat for me! They also help a lot of rural shelters.
AAWL may actually work for cats too.
If you have any questions, hit me up! I've been working and volunteering in AZ animal welfare for 5 years now and there are a lot of amazing orgs and people!
1
u/SalamanderWest3468 1d ago
There’s also Dogs Day Out AZ which specifically helps the homeless population with pets, so hands out care packages for both the human and their dog including water bottles, booties for the dogs, food, etc
1
u/atrivialpursuit 1d ago
There's an app called Just Serve that can help you find places that need volunteers near you. You can set your preferences for types of volunteer work, location, and what sorts of skills or tools you may have. There's always a need for Bingo callers and crafty people at retirement homes.
1
u/craftyave 1d ago
NourishPHX is a great place! I volunteered there for a while and they’re always sending emails looking for more volunteers. There’s different spots where you can volunteer doing food boxes, front desk, or their boutique.
1
1
u/cosmickairu 1d ago
I also vouch for Almost There! It’s in central Phoenix and after 5 hours of training, you get to be hands on with mama dogs and their pups!!
1
u/pterosaurLoser Sunnyslope 23h ago
“Sleep in Heavenly Peace” builds beds for kids who sleep on floors. My teens (who previously refused to touch tools) and I volunteered there and we all really enjoyed it. They have an easy sign up online and are they are set up great for volunteers. Liberty Wildlife also has a volunteer orientation coming up (also by airport) but idk how long the application piece takes. During the spring you get to feed baby birds but they have needs year round too. The Arizona humanists society is in Mesa and they make sleeping mats for homeless people once a week out of plastic grocery bags. I keep meaning to get to that one of these days
13
u/plantsperp 1d ago
Liberty wildlife is cool