Volunteer
Be Part of
the Impact
Volunteer
The Heart Behind the Work
Volunteers are at the center of St. Joseph Center’s ability to serve.
What may begin as a few hours on a calendar becomes something far greater in practice – presence, dignity, and community in action. Their time, consistency, and care transform programs into places of connection and trust. When volunteers step forward, programs grow stronger, services reach further, and impact deepens.
Who Can Volunteer
Opportunities for Individuals, Students, and Groups
St. Joseph Center welcomes volunteers of all ages and experience levels, offering thoughtfully structured opportunities that foster consistency, connection and meaningful engagement.
Adults (18+)
Volunteer opportunities are available year-round for adults ages 18 and older. A minimum commitment of three months is requested, with most volunteers serving one to two days a week for two to five hours per shift.
Volunteer OpportunitiesStudents (ages 12-18)
Student volunteer opportunities are primarily available during the summer months of June, July, and August due to overlap between school hours and program operations. Additional opportunities may be available throughout the year through partnerships with school groups.
School PartnershipsGroups & Teams
Small groups and corporate teams are welcome to support through curated volunteer days, donation drives, and sponsored service opportunities. Group activities are typically designed for 15-20 participants.
Corporate PartnershipsWhat to Expect
The Volunteer Process
Complete the Volunteer Application and indicate your program preferences and availability. Please be as specific as possible when sharing your interests and schedule.
Once submitted, the Volunteer Relations team will confirm receipt of your application and follow up when an opening aligns with your availability and program’s needs.
Placements are based on current openings, program capacity, and the consistency required for each role.
“As a 20+ year volunteer, it’s so clear to me that I’m
where I’m supposed to be and that this is
supposed to be what I’m doing.”
Deacon Kevin McCardle
Chairman Emeritus, St. Joseph Center, and 20-Year Volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities
Where You Can Serve
St. Joseph Center offers volunteer opportunities across food access, housing services, workforce development, and special events. Each role is designed to provide meaningful, hands-on support while ensuring consistency for the individuals and families served.
Bread & Roses Food Pantry
SJC Main Campus — 204 Hampton Dr, Venice
Role: Help ensure families have access to reliable groceries each week. Volunteers sort incoming donations, assemble grocery bags, stock shelves, and help keep the pantry organized and welcoming.
Schedule: Mondays | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
What to Know: This is an active, hands-on role. Volunteers should be comfortable standing for extended periods and lifting up to 25 lbs. Spanish or Russian language skills are especially helpful. A weekly commitment is preferred to provide consistency for the households served.
Bread & Roses Café
663 Rose Avenue, Venice
Role: Serve freshly prepared, hot meals in a welcoming, restaurant-style setting. Volunteers help set tables, prepare beverages, greet guests, serve meals, and reset the space for the next seating—all while helping create an environment grounded in dignity and hospitality for individuals.
Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
What to Know: This role requires remaining for the full shift and committing to one shift per week to provide consistency for guests.
Special Events
Role: Support community events, our annual gala, and seasonal initiatives throughout the year. Volunteers may assist with event preparation, guest support, or outreach efforts that help expand the reach of St. Joseph Center’s programs.
Schedule: Varies based on event and season
What to Know: Event opportunities are ideal for individuals and small groups of up to 10 volunteers. Availability changes through the years. For current opportunities, please contact volunteer@stjosephctr.org.
Role: Help ensure families have access to reliable groceries each week. Volunteers sort incoming donations, assemble grocery bags, stock shelves, and help keep the pantry organized and welcoming.
Schedule: Mondays | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
What to Know: This is an active, hands-on role. Volunteers should be comfortable standing for extended periods and lifting up to 25 lbs. Spanish or Russian language skills are especially helpful. A weekly commitment is preferred to provide consistency for the households served.
Role: Serve freshly prepared, hot meals in a welcoming, restaurant-style setting. Volunteers help set tables, prepare beverages, greet guests, serve meals, and reset the space for the next seating—all while helping create an environment grounded in dignity and hospitality for individuals.
Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
What to Know: This role requires remaining for the full shift and committing to one shift per week to provide consistency for guests.
Role: Support community events, our annual gala, and seasonal initiatives throughout the year. Volunteers may assist with event preparation, guest support, or outreach efforts that help expand the reach of St. Joseph Center’s programs.
Schedule: Varies based on event and season
What to Know: Event opportunities are ideal for individuals and small groups of up to 10 volunteers. Availability changes through the years. For current opportunities, please contact volunteer@stjosephctr.org.
School Partnerships
Cultivating Compassion Through Service Learning
St. Joseph Center partners with K-12 schools to bring meaningful, age-appropriate service experiences directly to campus. These on-site volunteer programs are designed to help engage with social impact in tangible, lasting ways.
Role: Students participate in hands-on projects such as assembling hygiene kits, preparing snack packs, and supporting seasonal donation drives.
What to Know: Students often begin by leading supply drives within their school community, then assemble collected items into impactful care packages. Our team provides context to help students understand the real-world impacts of their contributions.
“Volunteering gave me a sense of stability when
everything else felt uncertain.”
Mateo
Youth Volunteer
Corporate Sponsorships
Engage Your Team in Community Impact
St. Joseph Center partners with companies to create hands-on service experiences that combine volunteer engagement with direct program support. These curated opportunities allow teams to serve together while helping fund the work that makes immediate impact possible.
Bread & Rose Café Takeover
Role: Step into service at the Café, helping provide restaurant-quality meals in a welcoming setting. Teams support meal service while contributing to a full day of nourishment and hospitality.
Sponsorship: $2,500
What to Know: Designed for groups of up to 10 participants. Covers the cost of meals served that day and supports café operations.
Food Pantry Takeover
Role: Join the Food Pantry team to pack and distribute essential groceries for families. Teams assist with organizing and assembling food packages that support hundreds of households.
Sponsorship: $1,500
What to Know: Designed for groups of up to 10 participants. Supports a full day of grocery distribution.
Sack Lunch Preparation
Role: Assemble ready-to-go lunches for individuals dining at the Café. These meals extend care beyond the main service and provide nourishment throughout the day.
Sponsorship: $1,000
What to Know: Supports up to 150 lunches.
Welcome Home Kit Assembly
Role: Help furnish new beginnings by assembling essential household kits for individuals and families moving into permanent housing. Each kit includes everyday basics such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, and paper goods. Tier 2 kits also include cookware, dishes, and laundry items to help households fully settle into their new homes.
Sponsorship: Tier 1 – $1,000 (10 kits) | Tier 2 – $1,500 (20 kits)
Role: Step into service at the Café, helping provide restaurant-quality meals in a welcoming setting. Teams support meal service while contributing to a full day of nourishment and hospitality.
Sponsorship: $2,500
What to Know: Designed for groups of up to 10 participants. Covers the cost of meals served that day and supports café operations.
Role: Join the Food Pantry team to pack and distribute essential groceries for families. Teams assist with organizing and assembling food packages that support hundreds of households.
Sponsorship: $1,500
What to Know: Designed for groups of up to 10 participants. Supports a full day of grocery distribution.
Role: Assemble ready-to-go lunches for individuals dining at the Café. These meals extend care beyond the main service and provide nourishment throughout the day.
Sponsorship: $1,000
What to Know: Supports up to 150 lunches.
Role: Help furnish new beginnings by assembling essential household kits for individuals and families moving into permanent housing. Each kit includes everyday basics such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, and paper goods. Tier 2 kits also include cookware, dishes, and laundry items to help households fully settle into their new homes.
Sponsorship: Tier 1 – $1,000 (10 kits) | Tier 2 – $1,500 (20 kits)
Have Questions?
Connect With Our
Volunteer Team
For questions about individual placements, group opportunities, school partnerships, or corporate engagement, our Volunteer Relations team is here to help.
Connect With Us“It feeds my soul. I tell the clients they give me more
than I give them. They are so gracious, and so
grateful to be treated as human beings.”
Anna
20-Year Volunteer
