Volunteer
We love volunteers! Last year, volunteers provided more than 80,000 hours of support to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County (SVdP) - the equivalent of 42 full time staff positions! Volunteers help with all aspects of the organization, ranging from serving food to providing administrative support to painting. In all cases, volunteers help to promote human dignity and improve the lives of the poor.
Volunteering
There are many different volunteer opportunities at the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Individuals, student and corporate groups, and a wide variety of professional volunteers work directly with people in need.
How can I volunteer?
All new volunteers must attend an orientation before they can volunteer. Orientations are held every other Tuesday evening at 6pm. Orientations are held at our Downtown Community Center location:
2272 San Pablo Ave
Oakland, CA 94612
Click here to contact our volunteer coordinator.
What volunteer opportunities are available?
Free Dining Room
Our Free Dining Room serves an average of 1,000 meals per day, 7 days a week!
Volunteer shifts are from 9am-1pm every day. You can try it out once or twice, or become a regular volunteer. Daily, weekly, monthly, we need you. Attend an orientation and get started right away.
Volunteer shifts are from 9am-1pm every day. You can try it out once or twice, or become a regular volunteer. Daily, weekly, monthly, we need you. Attend an orientation and get started right away.
Groups
Whether you have a school group, faith based group, or you are a corporation looking for a team building experience, we can accommodate you.
Groups of up to 15 can volunteer in our Dining Room the Volunteer Coordinator will provide off-site orientations to accommodate a potential group.
In addition to the Dining Room, St. Vincent de Paul has a Warehouse which received a generous donation of unassembled furniture. On the second Saturday of every month, our Warehouse in East Oakland can take groups of 20-25 people assembling furniture from 10am-2pm.
Groups of up to 15 can volunteer in our Dining Room the Volunteer Coordinator will provide off-site orientations to accommodate a potential group.
In addition to the Dining Room, St. Vincent de Paul has a Warehouse which received a generous donation of unassembled furniture. On the second Saturday of every month, our Warehouse in East Oakland can take groups of 20-25 people assembling furniture from 10am-2pm.
Warehouse Volunteers
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-2pm volunteers can help sort through donations, organize and sort through books, and assemble furniture.
Fresh Start Program
Along with the many other services we provide at St. Vincent de Paul, we supply hygiene kits to our clients.
Hygiene kits consist of travel size shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, toothbrushes and tooth paste. You can help us by asking your local retailers for donations of these items, asking members of your community, friends and coworkers.
Once you have these items, you can help us assemble them into zip lock bags. This project is perfect for high school students or volunteers that would like to help but need flexible schedules.
Hygiene kits consist of travel size shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, toothbrushes and tooth paste. You can help us by asking your local retailers for donations of these items, asking members of your community, friends and coworkers.
Once you have these items, you can help us assemble them into zip lock bags. This project is perfect for high school students or volunteers that would like to help but need flexible schedules.
Food Locker
Our Food Locker distributes groceries to over 150 organizations and community groups throughout Alameda County.
Occasionally, we need volunteers to help assemble food boxes for these groups to pick up. During Thanksgiving and the Holiday season, we also assemble hundreds of food boxes and need volunteers!
Occasionally, we need volunteers to help assemble food boxes for these groups to pick up. During Thanksgiving and the Holiday season, we also assemble hundreds of food boxes and need volunteers!
Thrift Stores
We have 4 thrift stores throughout Alameda County: Oakland, Fremont, Alameda, and Livermore.
Volunteers help sort through donations that are dropped off directly to our thrift stores, and help with cleaning and merchandise displays. We also have a need for a talented window dresser!
Volunteers help sort through donations that are dropped off directly to our thrift stores, and help with cleaning and merchandise displays. We also have a need for a talented window dresser!
Professional Volunteers
Share your professional skills or talents with our clients.
We are currently in need of a teacher to provide a GED preparation course to our clients. We also have a sewing studio and need a skilled person to conduct sewing classes. If you have a profession or talent and would like to share it, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to communicate your ideas.
We are currently in need of a teacher to provide a GED preparation course to our clients. We also have a sewing studio and need a skilled person to conduct sewing classes. If you have a profession or talent and would like to share it, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to communicate your ideas.
Special Event Volunteers
We have an ongoing need for Special Event volunteers throughout the year.
If you would like to be added to our list of Special Event Volunteers, contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
If you would like to be added to our list of Special Event Volunteers, contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Create your own volunteer position
Once you have become a volunteer and you are familiar with St. Vincent de Paul, maybe you have an idea of a volunteer position that will help the organization.
We would love to hear your ideas!
We would love to hear your ideas!