Our Needs During COVID-19. Learn More

We Need Volunteers Like You!

volunteer opportunities near me

Volunteers at the Rescue Mission are the most compassionate & caring people in San Diego!

Volunteer with San Diego Rescue Mission

Each volunteer is a special part of our Rescue Mission team, who help serve others in so many ways:

Please note that we are unable to work with court-mandated volunteers at this time.

Individual Volunteer Opportunities

We greatly appreciate volunteers who can commit to serving on a consistent basis.

Volunteers working one-on-one with students and guests must complete an online background check, at a cost of $18 to the individual.

volunteer opportunities near me
Twice a month on Saturday mornings (10am-12:30pm) we host project days where individuals and groups lend their time, treasure, and talents to the Rescue Mission. Minimum age to participate is 12 years old. To register, contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Help make a difference in our community.  Each day we give out 8,000-10,000 pounds of food to churches and non-profit organizations who then feed the homeless and families in need.  

Helpers are needed to organize the food and load the vehicles Monday-Friday from 10am to 1pm.

For more information, contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator.

Our new outreach initiative, Walk With Me, is looking for individuals to be trained to walk alongside a man or woman experiencing homelessness as a friend for an extended period of time.  Learn more here.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

If you represent a business, church, school or service organization and would like to bring a group in to serve, start by providing some basic information with our Group Volunteer Opportunity Interest Form.
Learn how your group can give of time and talents to benefit those experiencing homelessness. Opportunities vary per location.
volunteer with local food pantry

As a local business, you know the value of investing in our community.  When you partner with us, you help change lives and create a better place to live and work.  Find out how you can get involved and be part of the solution to end homelessness and hunger. Learn more.

Learn how teaming up with us can provide your church with practical ways to live and love like Jesus and bring about lasting change in the lives of our vulnerable neighbors. And, let us equip you to be the change in your own communities!  Become a partner 

Twice a month on Saturday mornings (10am-12:30pm) we host project days where groups and individuals lend their time, treasure, and talents to the Rescue Mission. Minimum age to participate is 12 years old. To register, contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Remote Opportunities

You, your family, or your group can be a blessing right where you’re at. This is a perfect way to get your family members involved. Here are some ways to serve from home or your place of business.

corporate social responsibility opportunities

Write encouragement cards for our guests in Nueva Vida Haven, our emergency shelter for women and children. Our goal is to leave a note on their beds every night!  See instructions here.

 Collect essential items for our “I See You” hygiene kits and/or assemble them for us or hand out to our neighbors in need!  See list of needed items and instructions here. For tips on handing out I See You Kits to neighbors on the street, view these instructions.

Make easy no-sew blankets out of fleece fabric. We’ll make sure they get in the hands of those who truly need them!  See instructions here.

Not able to start volunteering immediately? Host a Drive

You can hold a drive and collect needed items at your school, church, place of employment, community center, or neighborhoods – it’s an easy and very significant way to support the Rescue Mission! Thank you for doing your part to help the men, women and children. 

Or purchase directly from our Amazon Urgent Needs list here and have the items shipped directly to our facility on 120 Elm Street | San Diego, CA 92101

Group Volunteer Opportunities

  • For custom corporate volunteer options with flexible scheduling, please contact Jazmin Ernest at jernest@sdrescue.org.

    *Children must be at least 12 years old and accompanied by a parent to volunteer on-site, or age 18 years old without parental supervision.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.