This page lists volunteer opportunities across Union County, NC.
Before you volunteer, contact the organization directly first, since roles and needs can change often and many welcome groups, families, and teens.
Union County Community Shelter – Monroe
Serve a Meal
Serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Prepare Meals
Help prepare weekly meals by chopping produce, pre-cooking meats, and preparing baked goods.
Pantry
Stock and organize new donations and prepare bags for our drive thru pantry.
Drive Through Food Pantry
Fill shopping carts with food, load them into car trunks, and distribute food boxes to senior citizens on-site.
Furniture Donation Pick Up/Warehouse Organization
Use the box truck weekly to pick up furniture donations across Union County and organize the warehouse.
Move Ins/Warehouse Organization
Help shelter clients move into their new home and organize donated furniture and household items in the warehouse.
Administrative Building Lobby Receptionist
Greet clients and guests at the front door and connect them to the appropriate staff member.
Administrative Volunteer
Help staff with administrative tasks such as organizing, filing, and making copies.
Economic Mobility Program Assistants
Assist program participants with job applications, resumes, interview preparation, and other computer lab resources.
Birthday Fun Makers
Help throw birthday parties for children in the emergency shelter by decorating, playing games, and celebrating.
FUNdraising Events
Help raise funds for the Community Shelter through special events and contact us to learn about the next event.
Food for Families, NC Inc. – Indian Trail
Many volunteers are needed; see the link for more information.
Common Heart – Indian Trail and around Union County
Many volunteers are needed, especially for the food pantries; see the link for more information.
Operation Reach Out – Monroe
See the link above for more information. Operation Reach Out has a food pantry and provides emergency funds for food, clothing, medicine, fuel, and Christian counseling; volunteers are needed to:
- Volunteer at Operation Reach Out or Finders Keepers
- Donate items to Finders Keepers
- Donate food to Joseph’s Pantry
- Encourage your school, church, or other organizations to hold a non-perishable food drive
- Provide lunch for the weekday Bible study
- Help with several annual events
- Pray for the ministries and clients.
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Matthews HELP Center – Matthews
Matthews HELP Center offers volunteer opportunities for anyone 14 or older, usually one four-hour shift per week; see the link above for details.
Roles include Thrift Shop Worker, Food Pantry Volunteer, Perishable Food Pick-Up, and Handyperson, and donations of clothing and household items are also needed.
Bright Blessings – Matthews
Bright Blessings’ mission is to bring joy, care, and hope to homeless and impoverished children by mobilizing community volunteers of all ages. Projects and volunteer opportunities are available for individuals, families, and small groups on-site, from home, and at local shelters; see the link above for more information.
Foster Caregivers – Union County
To provide foster care, you must be willing and able to provide a temporary home for a child whose parents cannot currently care for them. Foster parents complete 30 hours of free training to handle children’s emotional needs, use appropriate discipline, and understand the types of children in foster care; see the link above for more information.
Guardian ad Litem – a Child’s Advocate in Court – Union County
A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) advocate is a trained community volunteer appointed with a Guardian ad Litem attorney by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children in court through the Department of Social Services.
HELP Pregnancy Center – Monroe
Volunteers counsel, work at the front desk, clean and maintain the building, organize clothes, teach classes, watch children, perform ultrasounds, do pregnancy tests, act as ambassadors, and more. See the link above for more information.
Volunteer Opportunities at Atrium Health Union
There are many volunteer opportunities throughout Atrium Health, where volunteers support the healing process by offering help in roles such as:
- Hospitality cart server
- Clerical assistant
- Guest services greeter and escort
- Pet visitation volunteer
- Special projects volunteer
- Patient discharge transporter
- Courtesy cart driver
- Emergency room assistant
- Gift shop attendant
Email volunteer manager: Rachel.Horne@AtriumHealth.org
Phone: 980-993-3264
Council on Aging in Union County – Monroe
Volunteers are needed for minor home repairs, yard work, office and clerical work, teaching classes, Medicare counseling, preparing meals, planning and leading activities, companionship, and light cleaning. Volunteers in the Next Door Group Respite Program support individuals with memory loss through conversation, daily activities, and serving lunch; see the link above for more information.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue – Indian Trail
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (CWR) is an all-volunteer group that donates its time, money, and expertise to help North Carolina’s birds in need, with volunteer roles that are weekly onsite, weekly remote, or flexible onsite/remote; see the website for more information.
Humane Society of Union County – Monroe
Volunteers are needed as foster caregivers, vet assistants, event assistants, and to make treat bags and pet toys. See the link above for more information.
Turning Point NC – Monroe
Turning Point provides victims of domestic violence with skills, encouragement, and confidence to leave the cycle of abuse, supported by professionals, volunteers, and survivors.
All volunteers receive comprehensive training on domestic violence, agency policies and confidentiality, plus job-specific training.
Ways You Can Help
Administration: Perform administrative duties as assigned by Turning Point staff.
Child Care: Offer constructive, age-appropriate activities for children.
Facility Maintenance: Perform routine cleaning, lawn care, and shelter repairs as needed.
Receptionist: Answer telephones and greet visitors, donors, staff, and clients.
Companion: Provide accompaniment and advocacy during crisis responses at hospitals and on the hotline for sexual assault and child sexual abuse victims.
Food Services: Provide nutritious meals for clients.
Event Planning: Help plan events and fundraisers.
Thrift Store/Donations: Offer customer service, manage inventory, help display items, sort and receive donations, and supervise clients shopping in the donation building.
Community Outreach: Educate the community about domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, and distribute Turning Point literature to local businesses, organizations, and community events.
Union-Anson County Habitat for Humanity – Monroe
You can volunteer with Union Habitat for Humanity by helping with deconstruction, building, home repair, or providing lunch for volunteers.
Adult Literacy Program – Monroe
.The Adult Literacy Program for Union County is at South Piedmont Community College and needs tutors, with training provided; for more information, email rlightsey@spcc.edu or call 704-290-5261.
JAARS – Waxhaw
JAARS’ mission is to make Bible translation and language development possible, especially in remote and difficult locations, and offers volunteer roles in multiple departments. Everyday, hands-on skills and technical, logistical, and professional skills are all needed. You can also bring a mission team from your church to work on projects at the Waxhaw, North Carolina campus or apply to serve overseas for up to two weeks with Refuge 139 to support missionary kids; see the link above for more information.
Misty Meadows Mitey Riders – Weddington
Mitey Riders provides equine-assisted activities for children with special needs that improve posture, balance, strength, focus, coordination, flexibility, self-awareness, confidence, and independence, and foster social and emotional growth through bonds with horses and staff.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Lesson Volunteers
Work directly with riders and horses in class as a Horse Leader, Sidewalker, or both; training is provided.
Barn Team
Provide weekly special horse and stall care for an assigned horse and build horse-handling skills.
Facility Management
Help with painting, irrigation, fence building, cleaning, and other projects for individuals or groups.
Office Volunteers
Assist with tasks such as bulk mailings, photocopying, filing, word processing, computer and systems support, and answering phones, which suits those who prefer indoor or less physical work.
Fundraising and Special Event Volunteers
Help plan and run fundraising and special events that raise community awareness and support for Mitey Riders.
Special Skills
If you have skills or professional or technical experience, such as photography, grant writing, or computer knowledge, use the link above to contact Mitey Riders.
Union County Government Volunteer Opportunities – Union County
Do you want to give back to the community and make a positive impact on others? Volunteering with Union County Government offers roles across several departments where you can use your skills and interests to help others.
If you care about animals, consider volunteering with Animal Services at the shelter.
The Senior Nutrition Program delivers meals to homebound seniors and helps serve meals at congregate sites.
If you enjoy reading and learning, volunteer with the library at a local branch or through online opportunities.
Seasonal opportunities include helping families in need during the holidays with the Christmas Bureau and helping people with tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Follow the Phil’s List/Union County Charities and Services Awareness Facebook Page for resources, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities.
