Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Around Columbus

Katie G.:  Grateful Acres Pets Junior Advocate Program is a non-profit organization aimed at helping children to be educated and involved with the rescue and care of homeless pets. The organization hosts several events throughout the year, often via Facebook, for kids to participate in including dog walking, making pet toys, reading to pets and more.

Kelly R.:  Seeds of Caring organizes volunteer opportunities for kids around Central Ohio. All activities are kid friendly and seek to inspire an attitude of compassion and kindness. Experiences are varied, and can include food pantry help, care package assembly, park cleanup, making sack lunches for the hungry, helping senior citizens with yard maintenance, and more. Follow their Facebook page and check their events page to learn about and register for upcoming opportunities.

Katie G.:  The United Way of Central Ohio strives to end poverty and improve the lives of everyone. Enjoy family bonding time together and help people in need through volunteering opportunities at the United Way. Whether you are delivering meals to seniors at their homes, helping out and stocking shelves at the food pantry or reading books to children, you are sure to make memories together that will last forever.

Erika Roh...:  The Columbus Library offers a wonderful "Reading Buddies" program for teenagers to assist kids in Kindergarten-3rd grade with their reading skills. It's a one-on-one lesson for an hour and you get to teach young children to read and be successful at school. The program is available at over 20 branches and each library location has different times and needs available so make sure to call your local branch to get more specific information.

Katie G.:  Spend some quality family time together while helping to deliver meals to the elderly with the Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers will be asked to visit the local center to pick up meals, typically during lunch time, and deliver them to senior citizens in the area. Enjoy a quick chat with your client before heading off to your next stop. Each volunteer session lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours and volunteers must have their own cars.

Katie G.:  The Broad Street Food Pantry provides food for hungry neighbors in need. The organization serves over 3,400 meals each week donated from the Mid-Ohio Foodbank or volunteers. There are several ways to volunteer including helping neighbors to shop at the pantry, restocking the pantry or shopping for food at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Opportunities are available for adults and youth.

Erika Roh...:  Sometimes the best way for kids to volunteer is through donating items, especially when it's for sick children in the hospital. Nationwide Children's Hospital has provided various ideas for children of any age to donate and feel like they're making a difference through providing blankets, activity bags, books, bead bags, etc to keep children busy during their hospital stay. You can even send virtual greeting cards to patients! This is a great opportunity for anyone who is crafty, or to get a group of kids together to donate!

Erika Roh...:  There are many wonderful volunteer opportunities for kids at the Ronald McDonald House. With adult supervision, kids under 18 can participate in baking treats, hosting activities for the RMH families, making welcome blankets, and creating snack bags.

Erika Roh...:  Community Kitchen Inc is a non-profit that provides nutritious food and fun for families struggling to put food on the table. They do so in a dignified and non discriminatory manner. As a volunteer, you can make food, serve the food or even help out with their Family Program which is a night of fun and crafts for the kids. And they always accept donations.

Erika Roh...:  The Clintonville Resource Center is host to the wonderful Choice Food Pantry that collects day old produce and food items for people who are less fortunate. This is a great community effort for a necessary cause.

Anna Beth Smith:  See Kids Dream offers quarterly volunteer events for families that blend education and service. Before each family service project, See Kids Dream sends discussion activities to encourage kids to research and understand needs in their communities. Each service project is different.

Intended for kids in elementary and middle school. However siblings are welcome to participate. Parent participation in the service project is required.

Erika Roh...:  Special Olympics Ohio provides children and adults with intellectual disabilities year round athletic training and competition opportunities. Run primarily by the efforts of volunteers, they are always looking for help with day-of activities at local and state events.

Erika Roh...:  Operation Buckeye is an organization that packs and sends care packages to our troops to provide them a little taste of home. These care packages include necessary items (like toiletries), various food items, greeting cards and other items. Volunteers can help provide items, pack the boxes and write letters so it's perfect for any age.

Hannah Scott:  Older kids with a passion for animals will love the opportunity to volunteer for Columbus Humane. Targeted training is provided for people who want to become regular volunteers, but one-time volunteer opportunities can be arranged as well. Tasks include dog care, cat care, rabbit care, administrative assistance, events, etc. If you want to become a regular volunteer and enroll in the training program, a one-time donation of $30 is expected.

Erika Roh...:  Wagons Ho Ho Ho provides food and "Christmas cheer" to kids and families in need. Each year they have 1 "Build Day" where volunteers actually build the wagons (1,500 of them!) and then they are later filled and given out for Christmas. The "Build Day" is crowded and loud but very fun for the family, especially if you like assembling things! They also need help with organizing the collected food and packing the Christmas bags so check out their volunteer opportunities and sign up.