Where to Volunteer with Kids in Fargo & Moorhead

Looking for ways to volunteer with kids in Fargo & Moorhead? We’ve got a list of some great spots the whole family can get involved!

Here are some ways to serve in the Fargo-Moorhead community with kids.

Volunteer with Kids in Fargo & Moorhead

Where would you like to make an impact? Is there a certain cause that is close to your heart? There are a variety of organizations that cater to specific needs in Fargo-Moorhead.

Dorothy Day Food Pantry

The Dorothy Day Food Pantry (Churches United for the Homeless) provides food for the community in both their Moorhead and West Fargo locations. Volunteers can donate food, help in the kitchen, work in the food panties, serve meals in the Community Center, or help with cleaning, painting, repairs, and donation sorting.

Down Home

Down Home’s mission is to empower lives by furnishing homes for families and individuals emerging from homelessness. Get involved by sponsoring a family or organize a drive to collect items to help furnish a home!

Emergency Food Pantry

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help at Emergency Food Pantry! Sign up for a volunteer shift here.

You can also check the Emergency Food Pantry website for a list of current needs and accepted items, or make a financial donation. According to their website, a single donation of $21 can feed a family for one week!

Great Plains Food Bank

The only food bank in North Dakota, their goal is a hunger-free North Dakota and Clay County. Take the opportunity to work a shift in the Fargo warehouse. There are four shifts available and opportunities for both individuals and groups (adults, youth, families, and organizations).

Heart ‘N Soul Community Cafe

Heart ‘N Soul is a cafe dedicated to serving local, healthy, delicious meals to everyone in our community with dignity and respect, with pay what you can afford pricing. There are numerous ways individuals, organizations, and groups can help out including:

• Enjoy a meal: Stop by one of their events and enjoy a meal where participants can pay what they can afford, pay it forward, or volunteer in exchange for a meal. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming meals!
• Be a part of the Lunch Bunch: Help prepare and pack sack lunchs for those in the community that need them.
• Create cards of encouragement: These will be included in the to-go lunches to help brighten each recipient’s day.

HERO, Health Equipment Recycling Organization

At HERO, they provide access to affordable medical equipment and supplies through recycling and redistribution (both locally and globally).

They move thousands of pounds of medical supplies, instruments, equipment, and other health-related products each year. And are in need of volunteers to help with day-to-day operations. Call (701) 212-1921 to schedule a tour or email a completed application to info@herofargo.

Hope Blooms

The goal of Hope Blooms is to inspire healing and hope through repurposed flowers. Volunteer as an individual or a group to help with duties such as preparing and processing flowers, arranging bouquets, and making deliveries.

Interested in helping out in other ways? The organizations listed above also accept monetary donations and some take donations in the form of food or supplies.

Meals on Wheels

This program provides one hot, nutritious meal per day for those age 60 and older who are home-bound and not able to prepare their own meals. Volunteers deliver meals to those in need Monday through Friday.

Volunteering in Cass County is through Valley Senior Services or in Clay County through Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

PetSmart/Humane Society of the Lakes

Have a child who loves taking care of animals? The Humane Society of the Lake (Detroit Lakes, MN) has partnered with the PetSmart in Fargo to facilitate the adoption of cats. They need volunteers who can help feed and scoop litter boxes for the 5 kennels at PetSmart (about 5-10 cats). Volunteer as it works with your schedule (e.g. daily, weekly, monthly). Kids ages 16 and older can volunteer without supervision, if needed. Contact the Humane Society of Detroit Lakes for more information.

River Keepers

The mission of River Keepers is to keep the Red River healthy and vibrant for our community to enjoy. Volunteer opportunities can include helping at events throughout the Spring and Summer, cleaning up along the river and it’s paths, and more. Visit their website for more information.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley

The biggest support RMHC needs currently is help with meals for the families staying at their guest house. They offer specific volunteer opportunities for kids, and encourage families to volunteer together! Donations of ingredients, frozen meals, or restaurant gift cards are also a huge help at this time to continue providing meals to families. To help donate their most-needed items right now, please check out their wishlist, or provide a monetary contribution online at www.rmhcfargo.org.

Salvation Army

Local services provided by the Fargo-Moorhead Salvation Army include counseling, crisis intervention, emergency disaster services, a community hot meal program, and more.

If you’re interested in volunteering your time, there’s an opportunity to serve a community meal. Contact their volunteer coordinator at (701) 356-2688 for more information.

Special Olympics

Volunteer at one of the Special Olympic events coming up! Check out their page with upcoming events here, and contact them at (701) 746-0331 to see what opportunities would work best for your family/age of your kids.

 

Other Organizations Accepting Supplies or Funds

Want to organize a local neighborhood or community drive? These organizations would love your help!

Box of Balloons

The mission of Box of Balloons is make sure every child feels special and celebrated on their birthday. You can donate a birthday box to a local child and make their day extra special! Find out more on their website about volunteering your time.

Golden Drive Homeless Kids 

This organization works to connect members of the community to kids in need and they accept donations year-round.

Jeremiah Program

The Jeremiah Program works to transform families from poverty to prosperity through education and employment. You can donate to support families by purchasing items on the organization’s Amazon Wishlist or providing a monetary donation through their Giving Page. 

Joy Project

The Joy Project shares JOY with people living in temporary housing in the Fargo-Moorhead area. You can help by donating some needed items. Check their Facebook page for most current updates.

New Life Center

The New Life Center is Fargo’s oldest and largest rescue mission. You can support NLC by providing a monetary donation here, shopping their thrift stores, or providing in-kind donations of their most urgent needs.

Open Doors 365

Open Doors serves those in need of household items, clothing, shoes, friendship, and hope. They are always looking for items to stock their store or monetary donations. Details on both can be found on their website.

Rape & Abuse Crisis Center (RACC)

RACC serves over 2,500 clients each year, and therefore have both Crisis Intervention and Therapeutic Needs to help serve their clients. Crisis intervention needs include gift cards for Wal-Mart, Target, or Visa, grocery cards, or gas cards. Therapeutic needs include diapers, baby wipes, hygiene products like toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, bath soap, and feminine hygiene, and hats, gloves, and socks. Gift cards to fast food restaurants, haircuts, and oil changes are a great help as well.

YMCA

The YMCA offers a youth food program where to-go meals are distributed FREE of charge to children ages 18 years and younger  to help ensure that children don’t go hungry. Each child may receive one ‘to go’ meal bag per week — including five days’ worth of suppers. Please click here to make a donation online.

YWCA

The YWCA operates the largest Emergency Shelter for women and children in the area. They provide safe and affordable, short and long term supportive housing options for low-income women.

There are so many worthy organizations in our area, beyond what we’ve listed here. Where do you like to volunteer with kids in Fargo? Let us know in the comments below!