Large Group Volunteer Opportunities

Have a large group that is looking to volunteer together? Wed love your help! We welcome groups of up to 75 volunteers at one time. We can only host one large volunteer group per day. Our calendar can fill up quickly.

Volunteer shifts range from 2 8 hours. (You choose.) Volunteer opportunities include:

• Up to 75 volunteers: Available evenings and weekends at our Hartford Campus (pantry, childcare center, and flower beds / yardwork).
  • With a 60-90 day notice, we can host a week day opportunity, too.
• Up to 30 volunteers: Available weekdays, evenings, and weekends at our Hartford Campus (pantry, childcare center, and flower beds / yardwork).
• Up to 15 volunteers: Available weekdays at our shelter or our pantry.
• Evenings and Weekends: Volunteer groups need to be a minimum of 4 volunteers to schedule but can be up to 100 people.

For more information or to sign up: Contact Missy Reams at [email protected] or call 515-989-8404.

About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience.

About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.