Volunteer
View our available volunteer opportunities to see where you can help.
Debbie Krakauer
To learn more about volunteering,
contact Debbie Krakauer at 619.819.1897 or dkrakauer@sdrescue.org
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, volunteer opportunities are limited to food service and small groups of under 6 people helping with behind-the-scenes activities. Please contact Debbie to discuss ways to get involved at home.
Our volunteers provide valuable services and resources to the men, women and children we serve. Whether serving a meal, helping prepare students for job interviews, organizing in-kind donations, or distributing food, each volunteer is a special part of the Rescue Mission team. In return, they receive the gratification of knowing they are personally helping those experiencing homelessness create positive, lasting change in their lives.
Please note that we are unable to work with court-mandated volunteers at this time.
There are many ways and places to give of your time and talents to benefit those experiencing homelessness. Opportunities vary per location.
San Diego Rescue Mission – Downtown
Bread of Life Center – Oceanside
Rescue Mission Food Service Warehouse – National City
Walk With Me Program – Countywide Outreach
Individual Opportunities
In addition to limited one-time opportunities, we greatly appreciate volunteers who can commit to serving with us on a consistent basis.
All volunteers, with the exception of those participating in a special event or one-time group volunteer opportunity MUST submit an application and go through an on-line background check process at an $18 cost to the individual.
San Diego Rescue Mission
Opportunities for individuals include serving meals, job readiness training, organizing donations, serving as a hairstylist or barber, or handing out linens and essentials to guests in our emergency shelter for women and children.
Thrift Stores
Thrift store volunteers are needed weekdays during the daytime at our Point Loma location. Long-term weekly commitments are preferred. URGENTBread of Life Center - Oceanside
Volunteer opportunities and openings change often and may include: food pantry, thrift store and donation center, prayer team and shower ministry. Currently, we are searching for dedicated individuals to help in these areas:
Food Pantry
Help us unload, sort, store and pack donations and help keep the pantry clean on Tuesday, Wednesday (urgent need), Thursday or Friday mornings. Duties may also include carrying out food boxes to guests’ vehicles (must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.).Tuesdays we could use technical help doing guest check-in online and maintaining an orderly guest pickup flow.
A driver is also needed to pick up donations from local stores on Fridays from 7am-11am.
Thrift Store – Urgent Need
Thrift store and donation center volunteers are needed weekdays during the daytime. There is an urgent need for help on Mondays. Long-term weekly commitments are preferred.
Prayer Team
Do you have a heart for the hurting? We are always looking for people to go out in public and pray for our vulnerable neighbors.Rescue Mission Food Service Warehouse – National City
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.
Walk With Me – Countywide Outreach
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 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 here.
Corporate Partnerships
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 here. Church Partnerships
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.Family Serve Days
Four times a year, we invite families to participate in a half-day of age-appropriate volunteer activities at the Rescue Mission. While our Family Serve Days are on hold due to the pandemic, if you’d like to involve your family in the next one, please contact Debbie Krakauer.
Remote Opportunities
We love having people come on-site to serve, but for the safety of you and our students and guests, we will not be able to get back to full volunteer capacity until the pandemic subsides. In the meantime, here are some ways to serve from home or your place of business. To drop off collected items, please reach out to Debbie Krakauer.
Encouraging Notes
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.Hygiene Kits
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.Blankets
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.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.
Check out our needs during COVID-19 here.
Or purchase directly from our Amazon Urgent Needs list here.
For additional remote volunteer ideas or to drop off collected items, please reach out to Debbie Krakauer.
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