56th Walk for Hunger

Project Bread

Date/Time: Sunday, May 5. Registration opens at 8 a.m. The walk around the Common is from 9–11 a.m.

Location: Boston Common.

Ages: Everyone is welcome to walk. Volunteers must be ten years old or older and be accompanied by an adult chaperone.

Time Commitment: Varies.

The 56th Walk for Hunger is an annual community movement of neighbors helping neighbors across the Commonwealth on this 3-mile route. Since its inception in 1969, the Walk for Hunger has raised more than $100 million to support local programs that alleviate hunger. This year, more than 300 local programs in more than 100 Massachusetts communities will be supported through money raised by walkers including food pantries, meal programs, food rescue, urban agriculture, and critical child nutrition programs. In addition to walking, there are a variety of volunteer positions available, including:

• Course monitor.
• Check-in and registration tent.
• Checkpoint volunteers.
• 5K run support (water distribution, cheering).

Please note that volunteers must attend a Zoom training session offered on either April 30 or May 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more here.

Contact: volunteer@projectbread.org or walk@projectbread.com, 617.723.5000. Registration is available online.

www.projectbread.org

New Life 5K Trail Run Challenge, 10K Soles of Medfield, Kids Fun Run

New Life Furniture Bank, Soles of Medfield

Date/Time: Saturday, May 11.

• Registration opens at 7:30 a.m.
• Kids Fun Run at 9 a.m. 
• 5K Trail Run and 10K Soles of Medfield Run at 9:30 a.m. 
• Live Music at 10 a.m.

Location: Medfield State Hospital, intersection of Hospital Road and Service Drive.

Ages: All ages are welcome to participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

The New Life 5K is an opportunity to make a positive contribution to those who may be hardest hit by the current national crisis. New Life​'s mission to serve families and individuals, including many single mothers, seniors, and veterans, as they come out of homelessness and rebuild their lives is more relevant now than ever before. Funds raised by the New Life 5K Trail Run will go directly to help New Life meet this increased demand. Now, more than ever, we are calling on you to support New Life and the clients we serve. We know that we can depend on your help to keep New Life strong! Our 6th annual 5K trail run will be held on and around the Medfield hospital grounds and the beautiful Charles River Reservation. This event is open to runners, walkers, and everyone in between. 

New Life has partnered with the Bellforge Arts Center to host live music, food trucks, and fitness activities.

Contact: Click here to submit any questions. Click here for Trail Run 5K registration. An early bird discount registration of $30 (5k) and $40 (10k) is available until April 29. Kids Fun Run registration is $5 (cash or check) and is day-of-event only. 

New Life Run (newlifefb.org)

Central Mass Friendship Walk

Best Buddies 

Date/Time: Saturday, May 11.

• Volunteer check-in is at 9 a.m.
• Walker check-in is at 10 a.m.
• Opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m.
• The walk begins at 11:30 a.m.
• Celebrate until 12:30 p.m.

Location: Polar Park, 100 Madison Street, Worcester.

Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate.

Time Commitment: Varies. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). Join 40,000 walkers across the country to support the Best Buddies programs in your schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time. Our walks cannot happen without the help of many volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to KatelynLabarre@BestBuddies.Org.

Contact: KatelynLabarre@BestBuddies.Org. Click here to register for the walk.

https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/centralmass/

28th Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace

LDB Peace Institute’s Walk for Peace

Date/Time: Sunday, May 12, 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. program, 9 a.m. kickoff.

Location: Town Field Park, Dorchester.

Ages: All ages are welcome to participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

The Mother's Day Walk for Peace is a beloved Boston tradition and celebration of our potential to create more peaceful communities. It is the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) largest fundraising event to grow and sustain our services, advocacy, and training. We are honored to celebrate with you and to remember the lives of our loved ones who have been murdered. The 2024 theme is Cultivating Cycles of Peace. Registration is $25 per person and registration fees go directly toward our fundraising goal of $600,000 to grow and sustain our services, advocacy, and training. We encourage walkers to set an individual fundraising goal of $250. However, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Volunteers are also needed before and during the event. Click here for more information on volunteering.

Contact: events@ldbpeaceinstitute.org, 617.825.1917. Registration is available online. 

https://www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org/

Raise a Puppy and Be a Hero

Canine Companions

Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity.

Location: Nationwide. Remote volunteering is an option.

Ages: Please note: If you are under the age of 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian fill out the application and you can sign on as a co-applicant. 

Time Commitment: 14-18 months (flexible).

Canine Companions is a national nonprofit organization that provides expertly trained service dogs and a lifetime of follow-up services – completely free of charge – to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities so they can lead lives with greater independence. Canine Companions volunteer puppy raisers provide purpose-bred puppies a safe home, take them to puppy classes, serve up a healthy diet, provide socialization opportunities, and give lots of love. Each hour spent caring for a Canine Companions puppy is vital to their development as a future service dog. Our puppy-raising program provides a unique opportunity for families to volunteer to assist with our very important mission. As a volunteer puppy raiser, we ask that you meet the following requirements: 

• Provide a safe environment for a puppy who will be the only dog under 12 months old in your home. 
• Work closely with Canine Companions to monitor the puppy’s progress and submit monthly reports. 
• Attend an average of two Canine Companions-approved classes per month. 
• Teach the puppy manners and basic skills. 
• Responsible for the puppy’s food, veterinary expenses, and puppy classes. 
• Transport the dog to the regional training center at the projected turn-in time. 
• Feed the puppy a diet recommended by Canine Companions. 
• Utilize a kennel or crate for sleeping indoors. 
• Provide the puppy with age-appropriate socialization opportunities, such as public outings and veterinary appointments. 
• Keep the puppy on a leash at all times, unless supervised in a securely fenced area. 
• Supervise the puppy throughout the day. 

Contact: nerpuppy@canine.org. Email us or sign up by visiting Canine.org and filling out a puppy-raising application request.

Canine.org

Share Your Surplus Garden Harvest

AmpleHarvest.org

Date/Time: Ongoing.

Location: Your own garden or find a community garden near you.

Ages: All ages can participate, depending on the garden or farm.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Do you like to garden? One out of six children in America lives in a food-insecure home, meaning their parents don't know where their next meal will come from. No matter where you live, there are people in your community that are experiencing hunger. Food pantries can help fill in the gaps but are continuously lacking in healthy, fresh produce to offer. Luckily, you can help alleviate this issue in your own neighborhood! By planting just a little extra to donate, you can improve the health of your community as well. When you donate your surplus garden bounty, you are helping to relieve hunger and making an impact on obesity and other food-related diseases. Consider planting an extra row or even a few additional plants to donate to a local food pantry. And if you find yourself with a runaway zucchini plant or another bountiful crop that gives you more than you can eat, don't let it go to waste! Even a small donation will help increase food security in your area. 

Ampleharvest.org is pleased to partner with Bonnie Plants “Grow More Feed More” initiative and Home Depot's “Donate Your Harvest” initiative. Bonnie Plants will donate 5% of online sales to Ampleharvest.org. Click here for more information on Grow More Feed More and to order your plants online. Home Depot supports Ampleharvest.org with its Donate Your Harvest initiative. Click here for links to gardening helpful hints, plants and supplies, and locations on harvest drop-off locations in your area.

Contact: You can find one of more than 8,000 food pantries in all 50 states (and on Native American Reservations too!) eager for your help by clicking here.

www.ampleharvest.org

Giving Factory Volunteers

Cradles to Crayons

Date/Time: Volunteer shifts are available Saturday, 10 a.m.–noon, and 1–3 p.m.

Location: C2C Giving Factory, 281 Newtonville Avenue, Newton.

Ages: Families with children five years old and older are welcome to participate. An adult must accompany all children.

Time Commitment: Two hours.

Looking for a family-friendly volunteer activity? A volunteer shift in The Giving Factory Warehouse involves hands-on processing of the donated goods that flow in regularly. Each station in our warehouse includes inspecting, sorting, and packaging donations to ultimately be distributed to the children we serve.

Getting Started

1. All volunteers must be at least five years old and accompanied by an adult. 
2. Fill out the inquiry form to indicate your preferred time slot and other details. 
3. In just 3–5 business days, you’ll receive an email from one of our volunteer coordinators with more details including the day/time for a scheduled visit. 

Preparing For Your Visit

1. Pre-register before your visit. All volunteers must pre-register by using the link and registration code in the confirmation email received by their group leader. By pre-registering, you provide information that allows us to communicate helpful reminders before the visit. Only pre-registered volunteers will be allowed inside The Giving Factory.
2. Masks are now optional for our volunteers during their shifts. 
3. We encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle. We do not have water bottles, but you will be able to refill your bottles at our water stations.
4. We ask all of our volunteer groups to consider hosting a product collection before their visit to help us further our mission. There is no minimum requirement, but we ask each person to donate at least one children’s item. Please note our donation guidelines have changed. View our current guidelines here and learn more about hosting a successful drive here.

One of Cradles to Crayons’ organizational values is a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. As such, we welcome many diverse individuals as volunteers. If you or someone in your group has special needs or accommodations, please contact volunteerboston@cradlestocrayons.org before filling out this form.

When You Arrive

• Our doors open ten minutes before your shift start time. When you enter the building, we will ensure you are registered before you join other volunteers for our shift orientation.
• Following orientation, you will be led to your volunteer station where your Volunteer Leader will provide instructions about your task for the shift. Your Volunteer Leader will be present during the entire shift to answer questions and provide assistance.

Your shift will start promptly at your scheduled time and will begin with a brief orientation. For more detailed information about what takes place during a shift, please see our FAQs. Our volunteers—both adults and children—are the engine that powers Cradles to Crayons’ mission. Thank you for choosing to volunteer with us. You are joining thousands of people who have already made a significant impact in our community. We cannot wait to host you at The Giving Factory.

Contact: VolunteerBoston@cradlestocrayons.org. Registration is available online. https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston

Charles River Herring Count

Charles River Watershed Association

Date/Time: Ongoing through June 30, ten-minute time slots are available any day. 

Location: Watertown Dam.

Ages: Volunteers need to be ten years old or older and need to participate with an adult chaperone.

Time Commitment: Ten minutes per week.

You’re herring that right––we need you to count migratory fish! We’re looking for volunteers to dedicate just ten minutes once a week to help us study fish passage at Watertown Dam, By counting fish, you'll play a critical role in our understanding of how dams affect American Shad, Blueback Herring, Alewives, Rainbow Smelt, White Perch, Striped Bass, and American Eel. Will you sign up to count fish today?

Contact: Lisa Kumpf at lkumpf@crwa.org.

www.crwa.org

Make a Meal

Lasagna Love

Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity.

Location: Varies.

Ages: Families with children of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Lasagna Love was started at the beginning of the pandemic when the founder was looking for a way to help moms in her community. She and her toddler started making and delivering meals to families in the neighborhood who were struggling, whether that struggle was financial, emotional, or simply feeling overwhelmed. Since then, Lasagna Love has grown into a global movement, with thousands of people cooking and delivering meals to families in their communities. How does the process work? After answering a few short questions (including how far you are able to drive) on their Volunteer Portal, you will be matched with a family in need of a meal. Once matched, volunteers can communicate directly with their matched family to set up a drop-off date/time. When the time comes, meals are dropped off on the porch/doorstep to ensure a safe and contactless delivery. You may also donate lasagna ingredients to local Lasagna makers. In addition to cooking, you can also nominate a friend or family who may need a home-cooked meal.

Contact: info@lasagnalove.org. Check here to see if Lasagna Love is currently in your neighborhood.

www.lasagnalove.org

Host a Collection Drive

Catie's Closet

Date/Time: Ongoing.

Location(s):

• Boston Distribution Center: 63 Sprague Street, Boston, 617.272.3621.
• Dracut Distribution Center: 19 School Street, Dracut, 978.957.2200.
• Western MA Distribution Center: 16 Deer Park Drive, East Longmeadow, 413.224.1543.

Ages: All ages and group sizes are welcome to participate.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Catie’s Closet gives children in need life-changing access to clothing and basic necessities so they can thrive in school and life. Catie's Closet has 130 Closets in schools across MA and NH and helps more than 90,000 students daily through the in-school Closets and the SOS Urgent Response Program. Having a safe place like Catie’s Closet and access to basic necessities helps students envision a future where they can proudly be themselves and celebrate their uniqueness and identity. 

As a family, school, community group, or business, you can make an impact by hosting a Collection Drive. Catie’s Closet will provide you with all the materials you need, including a customized flyer – all you have to do is advertise and collect! Reach out to our team to register and plan your drive, and receive your custom flyer.

Learn more about how you can make your summer impactful for the school year ahead by visiting our website.

Contact: emily@catiescloset.org.

www.catiescloset.org