As the weather outside gets frightful and the pages run out in this year’s calendar, there are plenty of ways to volunteer or donate in Akron during the holiday season.
Here’s a list of local opportunities. In addition to volunteering time or donating household items, Akron organizations welcome monetary donations, which often give them more flexibility to meet the needs of the people they serve.
Did we miss a service opportunity? Email us at hello@signalakron.org and we’ll add it to our list.
Volunteer at a food pantry
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Akron Main Campus: 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron
Stark County Campus: 1365 Cherry Ave. NE, Canton
The food bank is looking for volunteers for select shifts at both the Main and Stark County campuses. Interested individuals or groups may volunteer in the pantry, sign in guests, pack orders, restock items or help with guest registration/intake.
There are also opportunities for volunteers to assist with food rescue program delivery, neighborhood distributions, office duties, warehouse management and special events.
First-time volunteers must fill out an application with their availability and volunteer interests. Returning volunteers may self-schedule their shifts through the Volunteer Information Center.
292 E. Market St.
The First Congregational Church of Akron runs the Feeding Hope Food Pantry Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers can email food.pantry@akronfcc.org for more information.
Volunteer at a local shelter or community organization
175 E. Market St.
Haven of Rest is a Christian ministry that serves the homeless community in Akron. Volunteer assignments include serving food, sorting canned goods or clothing, cleaning, helping with children and more. Shifts can be weekly, monthly or as needed.
Those interested can fill out a volunteer application online or call the volunteer coordinator, Jan Pluck, at 330-535-1563.
Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center
974 E. Market St.
The Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center provides services — including emergency shelter, court advocacy and therapy — to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking.
Community volunteers aid in indirect services such as cleaning, administrative work and sorting donations. Volunteers can sign up online or email the center at DelaneyJ@Hope-Healing.org.
Volunteers for client-facing services must complete several training sessions and pass a background check.
1096 S. Main St.
The Peter Maurin Center is an outreach ministry that provides hot meals three days a week and shelter when there is inclement weather.
Meal service runs every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers must be 16 or older.
To volunteer, contact Jim Orenga at jporenga@gmail.com or 330-414-5639.
230 W. Market St.
ACCESS Shelter serves women and children experiencing homelessness. Individual and group volunteer opportunities include serving meals, sorting donations and working at the shelter’s boutique.
Volunteers must be 17 or older to be in the kitchen unsupervised, but youths from 10 to 16 years old are allowed to volunteer with an adult present. Interested individuals can create an account online to sign up for shifts. Groups can contact Volunteer Coordinator Melanie Mitchell at mmitchell@access-shelter.org.
475 N. Howard St.
Grace House is a care facility for individuals with terminal illnesses who are without a caregiver and have limited financial resources.
The facility offers a variety of volunteering options, from helping at the welcome desk to providing music for the residents.They are also always looking for volunteers with hospice or nursing experience.
Interested volunteers can fill out an application online.
749 Blaine Ave.
The faith-based organization provides educational and leadership opportunities for North Hill youth.
Urban Vision is looking for volunteers Dec. 10 for their Christmas store, where the youth will use “UV Bucks” — which are earned by attending programs, completing homework or participating in service opportunities — to shop for gifts to give to their relatives or friends.
Open roles include store clerks, shopper guides and gift wrappers. Volunteers can sign up online to assist at the event.
Those interested can also donate items to the store.
1180 S. Main St.
Akron Snow Angels is a group that delivers lunch and winter gear to people living in homeless encampments and the areas surrounding local shelters.
They typically host volunteer opportunities twice a month, and interested volunteers can email volunteer4akronsnowangels@gmail.com to be added to the volunteer list. Their next distribution is Sunday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m. There are a few volunteer spots still available.
Donate food and other goods
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Food donations are welcome but should not include previously opened items or glass bottles/jars. Some of the most-needed items are boxed cereals, canned soups, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, peanut butter and canned tuna.
Another donation option is hosting a “Food & Funds Drive.” The food bank has a guide on its website for hosting a drive and suggests creative ways to get the community involved.
The food bank can receive food donations Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop-off appointments can be scheduled online.
Akron Main Campus: 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron
Stark County Campus: 1365 Cherry Ave. NE, Canton
The Peter Maurin Center
1096 S. Main St.
The Peter Maurin Center is looking for household goods such as toiletry items, feminine products, food storage and dish rags, along with winter item donations, including tents, sleeping bags and blankets. The full list of needed items is available on the center’s website.
Akron Snow Angels
1180 S. Main St.
Akron Snow Angels is also accepting donations. The most urgently needed items are blankets, winter gloves, winter socks, winter coats (sizes XL and larger), men’s winter boots (sizes 9-12) and women’s winter boots (sizes 8-9).
Donations can be dropped off at Quality Carpet and Flooring, located at 1755 Akron Peninsula Road in Akron, Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Items can also be purchased directly from the group’s Amazon Wishlist.
Feeding Hope Food Pantry
292 E. Market St.
The First Congregational Church of Akron’s food pantry is seeking donations of personal products (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shavers) or period products to help supplement its food giveaways.
They are also collecting new winter coats as part of an annual drive to furnish every student at Mason Community Learning Center with a new coat each year. Coats should be children’s sizes XS to XXL and can be dropped off at the church office. Coats may also be purchased from the church’s Amazon Wishlist.
Family Promise of Summit County
1040 E. Tallmadge Ave.
Family Promise of Summit County assists families with children who are experiencing homelessness.
General household goods, cleaning supplies, well baby items, toiletry items and bedding are always needed. There is a complete list of items on the agency’s website. Items may also be purchased directly from the agency’s Amazon Wishlist.
Donations accepted at the center Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.