Be a hunger-fighting hero.
Volunteers serve in a variety of rewarding ways. 500 weekly volunteers help us accomplish our mission through greeting participants, conducting one-on-one conversations to connect participants to resources, keeping our market and warehouse stocked and organized, and more.
We have a variety of volunteer shifts available every week, which you can explore on the calendar below.
Volunteer Appreciation Week Is Coming Soon!
Be on the lookout for special giveaways and events April 22-25. Want to get your workplace involved? Sponsoring Volunteer Appreciation Week is a great way to thank our volunteers for their hard work and get recognition for your support with a variety of audiences!
Volunteer Roles
The Front End
Front end Volunteers are the first point of contact for community members with excellent customer service skills. Bilingual volunteers highly encouraged.
Food Access: The Market
Market Volunteers are highly involved in our fresh foods market experience. The roles range from customer service and stationary to active and lifting.
Food Access: The Warehouse
Warehouse Volunteers work directly with all our food in the warehouse. These roles ensure the quality of the food we are distributing.
Bulk Breakdown
Member of a team responsible for breaking down bulk items and repackaging them into smaller portions to be redistributed at Metro Caring.
Garden Specialist
Someone knowledgeable in gardening or composting will retrieve compostable materials and distribute to appropriate bins. They will also water and help maintain Metro Caring’s gardens and greenhouse.
Group Volunteering
Group Volunteers
Groups are a valuable resource in helping accomplish the work that Metro Caring does. Because of group volunteers, Metro Caring is able to distribute 2+ million pounds of nutritious food to our community. We welcome groups of up to 10 people.
To best accommodate group volunteers, we require a member of the group to complete the Group Volunteer Sign-Up form to request your preferred volunteer dates. After completing the form, a member of our Volunteer Team will contact you to confirm your shift.
Group Volunteer Shifts:
Monday Morning 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday Afternoon 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday Morning 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday Afternoon 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday Morning 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday Afternoon 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday Evenings 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For additional information, download our Group Volunteering Information or email Volunteer Coordinator Aja LeDoux.
Looking for other ways to help?
Can’t volunteer in person? There are endless possibilities for youth to support Metro Caring’s mission at home, school or anywhere! See some of our suggestions or come up with your own!
Sponsor Our Volunteer Program
Explore our sponsorship opportunities to make a year-long impact on our Volunteer Program while receiving exclusive marketing benefits.
Individual Volunteers (14+ years old)
Fill out the Volunteer Intake Form.
Sign-up and Attend our New Volunteer Orientation (Link to sign-up within Volunteer Intake From).
Once you have attended orientation, sign-up to volunteer using our job calendar below!
If you have questions, contact Aja LeDoux, Volunteer Coordinator.
Individual Volunteer Hours
Monday 8:30am - 12:00pm | 12:00pm - 3:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 12:00pm | 12:00pm - 3:30pm | 5:30pm-8:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 12:00pm | 12:00pm - 3:30pm | 5:30pm-8:00pm
Thursday 8:30am - 12:00pm | 12:00pm - 3:30pm
Friday CLOSED
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday 1:00 - 3:00pm
FAQs
When are volunteer opportunities?
Our volunteers shifts are Monday-Friday in the morning (8:30 am-12:00 pm), afternoon (12:00-3:00 pm), and Tuesday evening (5:30-8:00pm). We also have a Sunday shift (1:00-3:00 pm). Some volunteers choose to volunteer multiple times a week.
Can I volunteer multiple shifts, AM and PM?
Yes! We would love to have you for a half-day or a full-day, whatever works best for you!
Do you have weekend volunteer opportunities?
Yes! We have a Sunday sorting shift from 1-3 pm at Metro Caring and you can sign-up through our job calendar above.
How far in advance do I need to reserve a group volunteer shift?
We recommend submitting your request as far in advance as possible. While we make every effort to accommodate specific date requests, we appreciate any flexibility you may have. If you are interested in bringing a group, connect with the Volunteer Team.
What work do I do as a volunteer?
We have a variety of volunteer roles, from Front End Check-in, Sorter, to Market Restocker and more. To learn more, check out the different Volunteer Roles at the top.
What do I wear to volunteer?
We ask that you dress appropriately for the work you might do. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you might be okay with getting a little dirty.
Do I need to bring anything?
It might be helpful to bring a water bottle and a sweater (between our cooler and freezer, it can tend to be a little cool in some places).
Do I need to wear a mask?
Masks are currently optional inside our building.
Do I need to be vaccinated?
Metro Caring encourages all of our volunteers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 including up-to-date on boosters.
Do I need to bring gloves?
Metro Caring will provide gloves for every shift.
What if it snows?
Metro Caring’s snow policy aligns with Denver Public Schools. If DPS is closed, we are too, and you do not need to show up for your volunteer shift. Check our website for updates if you’re unsure.
Where are you located?
We are located on the corner of 18th and Downing, at 1100 East 18th Avenue, Denver, CO 80218.
Is parking available?
Saint Joseph Hospital allows Metro Caring volunteers to park on the top floor of their parking garage, located on Ogden Street between 19th and 20th avenues. Parking is free. We kindly ask that all volunteers park in the St. Joseph Hospital Midtown Medical Offices Parking Garage. Our community member carts weigh an average of 80 lbs. and we want to reserve the parking lot for them.
Can I bring food to donate?
Of course, we welcome that! We always appreciate donations of tuna and peanut butter or other suggested items. If you are interested in coordinating a food drive, check out the Give Food section of our Donate page.
Can children volunteer?
We accept volunteers who are 14 (in high school) or older. They can volunteer without a parent or guardian in our warehouse helping sort through donations or box making as long as they have a waiver signed by a guardian.
Do you accept people who need to do community service?
Yes, we can help people fulfill community service hours.
What if I have a food allergy?
We cannot guarantee that our volunteers will not come into contact with their allergen while volunteering in our warehouse. Many of the donations we receive are loose items or in compromised containers, which puts the food items at risk of cross-contamination. For volunteers with more severe food allergies, volunteering at our welcome desk might be the best fit.
