If you have a bit of extra time or want to contribute to a great local cause, check out these community organizations around the Hudson Valley. Get your hands dirty by planting and raking in local parks or caring for animals and cuddly creatures. There’s even the option to lend a hand to someone in need, such as seniors with transportation challenges and women and children at shelters.
Of course, it doesn’t end there. Keep scrolling for opportunities to lend a hand in the Hudson Valley.
Creative Arts
Denizen Theatre
Water Street Market
10 Main St, Ste 501, New Paltz
If you love the spectacle of the stage, Denizen Theatre may be the place to donate your time. Usher at the theater to load in and out different sets or collaborate with local groups to bring art to the community. To learn about more volunteer opportunities, email information@denizentheatre.com.
Soup Kitchens
Angel Food East
207 Albany Ave, Kingston
This organization gives hot and home-delivered meals to people living with HIV+/AIDs. Volunteers cook, pack bags, and help around the facility. Angel Food East needs volunteers Mondays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. To volunteer, call 845.331.6538.
Christ’s Lutheran Church Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
26 Mill House Rd, Woodstock
Many of the restaurants in Woodstock, whether they’re barbecue joints or pizza parlors, donate food to the soup kitchen. Volunteer members from the Woodstock Council of Churches member congregations, the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, and other community service groups assist with making soup and cleaning up. To volunteer, call Christ’s Lutheran Church at 845.679.2336.
Soup Angels
First Reformed Church of Nyack, Nyack
The “soup angels” need volunteers to help shop, cook, serve, and complete administrative office work. First Reformed Church of Nyack accepts assistance for special events. There are meals every Monday and Wednesday for those who are in need. Sign up here to volunteer.
Town of Rochester Food Pantry
12 Main Street, Accord
Town of Rochester Food Pantry’s mission is to assist those in need and provide emergency food to hungry individuals and families in the Hudson Valley. The pantry accepts donations from the community, then relies upon volunteers to sort and distribute them. Volunteers help organize the pantry, pick up and unpack food deliveries, and pack bags for guests. To volunteer, leave a message for the pantry at 845.626.7501.
Environmental Volunteering
Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs
21 S. Putt Corners Rd, New Paltz
Spring and fall are the time to plant trees, so that’s when Trees for Tribs looks for helpers. As for what tasks involve, volunteers can care for plants and assist with maintenance of the grounds. The plant care volunteers usually require a longer commitment, so keep that in mind if the shift appeals to you. For more information, contact hudsonestuarytft@dec.ny.gov.
Poughkeepsie Farm Project
51 Vassar Farm Ln, Poughkeepsie
You can become a “farmer for the day” and learn all there is about growing and harvesting food. As you get your hands dirty and weed out the rows, the staff demonstrate proper techniques and reveal what plants look like at various stages of their lifecycles. Poughkeepsie Farm Project looks for volunteers from June through the second week in October and from the third week of October to the beginning of November.
Scenic Hudson
Be on the lookout as park patrol, provide visitors with information, or spend a day in nature participating in the Learn and Serve Program, which caters toward identifying and removing invasive plants. Volunteers can also bring family and friends to spend the weekend planting trees and making trails. There’s much more volunteers can do at Scenic Hudson, including becoming park ambassadors or office helpers. To volunteer, fill out Scenic Hudson’s form.
Humanity-Driven Volunteering
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Services
114 Delafield St, Poughkeepsie
Give a little love to the older folks by helping run an exercise class, play brain games, or deliver meals to the elderly. The center is also looking for “behind the scenes” help with administrative tasks. To volunteer, fill out this form.
Grace Smith House
1 Brookside Ave, Poughkeepsie
Grace Smith House provides an open door for victims of domestic violence. Most volunteers are required to complete an agency-led training before they can work with clients. There are volunteer opportunities at the children’s program to plan activities and snacks, as court advocates, and inside the residential shelter to provide support and assistance to survivors or plant seeds and weed at the community garden.
Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program
5 Pearl St, Kingston
Volunteers must be trained before helping people who have dealt with sexual assault, violence, and abuse. The trained volunteers answer the hotline when the office is closed on nights, weekends, and holidays. According to Ulster County’s website, “The Crime Victims Assistance Program offers a 40-hour training, as established by the New York State Department of Health guidelines, leading to certification as a Rape Crisis Counselor/Volunteer.” To volunteer, complete the application or contact the office at 845.340.3443.
