It takes many, many hands to accomplish all we do.  Without the help and support of 500 volunteers every week, Preble Street could not continue to provide services to our neighbors who depend on us when they are hungry and cold and homeless.

Getting Involved

To get involved or learn more about any of the following opportunities is almost as easy as 1-2-3. Just complete the following steps:

• Read through our Volunteer Agreement
  and Confidentiality Policy
• Submit a Volunteer Application online
• Submit Two References online

Whether you have a couple of hours once in awhile or once a week; whether you want to come alone or bring your team, office staff, family; whether you are an early bird or can’t pitch in until after work, there are volunteer opportunities for you. We would love to match you with one that fits with your interests and schedule.

Resource Center Soup Kitchen

We serve warm, nutritious meals to 250-400 people three times a day every day of the year. We need help preparing, serving, and cleaning up for three-hour shifts: 7:00 to 10:00am, 10:30am to 1:30pm, and 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Our biggest needs are on the weekends, but we welcome your help any day!

Teen Meals

We serve lunch and dinner at our Teen Center 7 days a week. Volunteers, age 21 and older, help prepare, serve, and clean up for lunch, 10:30am-1:30pm, and dinner, 5:15-7:30pm. We ask Teen Center volunteers to make a commitment of one meal weekly for at least three months.

Florence House Meals

We serve lunch and dinner at Florence House 7 days a week. Volunteers, age 21 and older, help prepare, serve, and clean up for lunch, 10:30am-1:30pm, and dinner, 5:15-7:30pm. We ask volunteers to make an ongoing commitment to help once a week for at least three months.

Food Pantry

Every Thursday we distribute food to approximately 120 needy families. We need help 10am-12noon sorting fresh food donations. We also need help 12:45-3:30pm setting up the dining room for distribution, distributing food, and then cleaning up afterward.

Clothing Closets

We provide free clothing to youth and adults in need. Volunteers help sort donations, fold clothes, restock shelves, and keep the closets clean and organized.

Drivers/Donation Pick-Ups

None of our food programs would exist without the generous donations from grocery stores in our community. We need volunteers with large vehicles and strong backs to pick up food donations in greater Portland Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.

Logan Place

Help tenants build their community. We can find a role for you that fits your schedule—morning, afternoon, or evening. We need people to staff the front desk; facilitate game events (bingo, card tournaments, bocce, etc.); or prepare special meals for holidays or community meals.

Office Support

Help in the offices with filing, phones, and mailings on a one-time or ongoing basis.

Special Projects, Activities, and Events

Let us know if you have an idea or can help organize and facilitate groups or workshops for teens or adults. Some possible groups are: art, photography, knitting, English as a Second Language, theater, games, writing, and more. We welcome volunteers with special interests/talents (e.g. hairdressers, yoga instructors, dancers, gardeners, etc.) to share their time and skills with our clients.

We can also use help with projects, such as deep cleaning the soup kitchen, stocking shelves, or setting up for special events.

Donation Drives

You can help raise awareness of the needs of homeless youth and adults and get others involved in food drives, fundraisers, clothing drives, or toiletry drives.