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Advisory Board
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
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Who We Are
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
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How We Help
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
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Ways to Give
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Employment
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Volunteer
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Contact Us
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Summit County Area Services Annual Red Kettle Kick-Off & Community Medal Award
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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Help your neighbors turn tough breaks into
FRESH STARTS
Make Time to Volunteer. If you have questions or need more information on becoming a volunteer, please email John.Kasler@use.salvationarmy.org, text/call at 330.958.2906 or scroll down to fill out the form below.
Year-Round Volunteer Opportunities
WHAT: As a Pantry Volunteer, you will assist our Pantry Coordinator in the daily operation of our food pantry programs that assist over 300 individuals per month. Duties include organizing, sorting, shelving, packing, and distributing food.
WHO: Anyone who enjoys sorting and organizing food and is able to lift approximately 10 lbs.
WHEN: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday–Thursday
WHERE: 1033 Bellows St, Akron, OH 44311
WHAT: As a volunteer in our kitchen, you will assist our chef and work alongside other volunteers to provide meals for our community. Tasks may include preparing snacks for our daycare, assembling meals for off-site community centers, serving cafeteria-style in our gym, washing dishes, and helping with cleanup in both the kitchen and gym.
WHO: Anyone with a heart to serve others. Breaks are built into the day, so you are not on your feet the entire time.
WHEN: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
WHERE: 190 S. Maple St. in Akron
WHAT: Representing The Salvation Army you will go to our area community centers to pass out hot meals to those in need. Volunteers will provide water, silverware and a hot meal with a smile. This may be the only meal some people eat the entire day which is why helping them is so important.
WHO: Anyone who has an hour to give. Volunteers may sit down or stand. This is a low maintenance high impact volunteer program.
WHEN: Meals are served Monday–Friday at either 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM depending on location. Volunteers are asked to arrive 15 minutes early for setup.
WHERE: Patterson Park Community Center (11:00 AM), Summit Lake Community Center (11:30 AM), and our gym at 190 S. Maple Street (11:00 AM)
WHAT: As a Red Shield Distribution Volunteer, you will distribute food to our clients during our monthly Red Shield Pantry Drive-Through program.
WHO: Anyone who enjoys directly serving our community. Responsibilities include organizing food, assembling carts, and loading groceries into vehicles.
WHEN: The 2nd Wednesday of every month from 8:00am - 11:30am
WHERE: 1033 Bellows St. in Akron
What: Drivers assist with pickups and deliveries (Food Bank, University of Akron pop-up pantry, Diaper Bank, Shower Bus meals, Community Center deliveries, and other errands).
Who: Volunteers comfortable driving box trucks, 12-passenger vans, or minivans (CDL not required).
When: Varies by program
Where: Begins at 190 S. Maple Street
What: Work alongside our Facilities Director on projects or assist with larger tasks.
Who: Someone who enjoys hands-on work and completing projects (a “jack-of-all-trades” type).
When: Flexible
Where: 190 S. Maple Street and other locations as needed
What: Assist the Office Manager with front desk operations and building flow.
Who: Someone who enjoys working with people, answering phones, and data entry
When: Various shifts available; office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, half days are also available
Where: 190 S. Maple Street
Christmas Volunteer Opportunities
We start ringing in early November and continue through December 24th. Shifts are available from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (full day), as well as flexible options including 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (four-hour shifts), and shorter shifts such as 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
We are looking for help from the following:
- Individuals and Families
- Groups (Churches/Businesses…)
- Social groups (Kiwanis/Rotary/Book clubs …)
- Schools (Sports teams/PTA’s/Teachers …)
- Students who need Service-Learning hours
Sign up by calling John Kasler at 330.958.2906, emailing John.Kasler@use.salvationarmy.org or by going to www.registertoring.com.
WHAT: This is the time when we meet personally with people in our community looking for Christmas assistance. We’ll have one-on-one conversations and then enter their information into our system for Angel Tree gift tags. We are also looking for bilingual volunteers as well.
WHO: Anyone looking to connect one-on-one with families in our community
WHEN: Dates TBA; typically we start inlate September through October, one or two days per week (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM or 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Where: 190 S. Maple St (Maple St. Salvation Army) and 560 W. Wooster Rd (Barberton Salvation Army)
WHAT: Our volunteer Toy Packers help organize and prepare the Angel Tree gifts so they are ready for our Toy Distribution Days.
WHO: If you’re organized, pay attention to details and like to be around toys we’ve got the place for you to hang out for a few hours.
WHEN: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, dates TBA (potentially the week of December 7th)
WHERE: TBA
WHAT: This is when those receiving our toys come to pick up by appointment. This is an ENTIRE PROCESS and well organized. You may be helping to take toys to cars, be part of grabbing gifts to put in carts, be in quality control or help in parking lot duty (etc). It takes MANY hands working together to help these days go smoothly!
WHO: Anyone with a “whatever it takes” attitude, ready to help where needed. Please dress appropriately for indoor or outdoor conditions
WHEN: TBA (interested volunteers will be contacted once dates are set
WHERE: TBA
What: These are the days when people have bought for entire families drop off and pick up their items for families. Drop off day is slower paced but more detailed oriented in preparation for distribution.
WHO: Volunteers ready to serve wherever needed; dress appropriately for the weather.
WHEN: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
WHERE: TBA
It’s people just like you who make our programs possible by choosing to give your time. Volunteer opportunities vary depending on where you live, but all of our locations need volunteers throughout the year.
When you join our team of volunteers, you’re helping us build communities where lives are changed and hope is found. Volunteers are one of our strongest resources in meeting the needs of a community.
One-time Opportunities
Our one-time opportunities are perfect for those who want a quick and easy way to make a difference. These include activities like serving a meal any day of the year or ringing a bell during the holidays.
Ongoing Opportunities
Ongoing opportunities are designed for those who want to get involved on a regular basis. We’ll know you by your first name, and you’ll get to know the people in our programs. These include activities like working with youth, using your professional skills or serving after a disaster strikes.
Group Opportunities
We can accommodate your group’s desire to do something good together – whether family, friends,coworkers, civic or church groups. Group volunteer activities are typically project-based or part of a larger event.