by Hope Lee

Created on: April 30, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2010

Whether for an afternoon or as a long-term commitment, the places to volunteer in Minneapolis are plentiful. Some opportunities meet local or international humanitarian needs, while other volunteer opportunities support the arts and culture. Finding the right opportunity for you can often be done on the Internet. Here are some resources to get you started.

Local homeless shelters need many volunteers to staff their operations.

People Serving People serves homeless families with a clean, comfortable, temporary place to stay, transition services, and all the tools that they need to get back on their feet. They need volunteers for everything from serving cafeteria style meals to working with children to helping clients learn to use the computer well. Another local provider, Simpson, offers separate men's and women's shelters. Volunteers provide the food for, cook, and serve their daily meals as well as providing overnight staffing at the shelters and organizing supply drives.

Feed My Starving Children has three locations throughout the Minneapolis metro area and works with volunteers age five and up to pack high-calorie, nutrient rich meals that are shipped around the world. The process is simple but extremely rewarding. They accept anyone from single volunteers up to groups of sixty.

The Guthrie Theater needs volunteers to serve as ushers for its many theater productions. Volunteers help patrons find their seats and hand out programs. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to see the production that they are ushering for. Volunteers can apply online and usually volunteer over the course of one or more seasons. Other theater companies in the Cities will also accept volunteer ushers; with the country's second highest per-capita theater ratio, the Cities is a great place to support theater.

Hammer is an organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, mainly through their network of group homes, and accepts individuals and groups to help their clients live life to the fullest. Individual volunteers may help clients learn how to shop, participate in exercise together, or attend worship services together. Groups may organize fundraisers, play bingo with a group, or assist with yard work. The adults are fun, happy to see you, and enjoy your time together.

Finally, if none of these options appeal to you, VolunteerMatch lists volunteer opportunities throughout the country and is searchable by zip code. A wide variety of groups list their needs via this and other websites, making it easier than ever to find local opportunities to serve.

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