9 Ways to Volunteer from Home
Right now, people are helping one another in all sorts of ways—while practicing social distancing rules and following all safety measures. With a little time and willpower, you can donate to a cause that’s important to you and help those that need it most. Here are nine short- and long-term volunteer opportunities you can do from home.
Feed
While many are stocking up on groceries, food pantries across the country are running low on supplies. Donate a few canned goods and other necessities to a food bank in your area. Some may even pick up donations from your home. Encourage your neighbors to source their kitchens for an even bigger contribution.
Sew
There are still many healthcare and frontline workers in need of face masks. JoAnn Fabrics features tutorials on how to sew your own face mask and customize it for specialized professions, like doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers. It also offers resources on how to donate.
Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a one-on-one mentorship program that connects children and teens facing adversity with a responsible, caring adult. Just because you aren’t able to meet in person, it doesn’t mean these connections have to get put on hold. With an e-mentoring platform currently in the works, Big Brothers Big Sisters is fostering relationship building through technology.
Write
Whether it’s grant writing, social media writing, proofreading, marketing, or another writing need, several nonprofit organizations seek volunteer professional writers. Check out volunteermatch.org for current opportunities and organizations that are meaningful to you.
Translate
The United Nations Volunteer program contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. With a global reach, its website, onlinevolunteering.org, includes several opportunities for translating English to Arabic, English to French, Spanish to English, and much more. Organizations include UNICEF, WISE, UNESCO, and others.
Design
Check out Wings of Destiny, a nonprofit film company that creates humanitarian and altruistic films to raise awareness. Looking for graphic design support for ongoing projects, they work with organizations like St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center, Hadassah Medical Center, WHO, and more.
Comfort
Everyone could use a little comfort right now, but those in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and our deployed service members are the ones that might need it most. Adopt a service member through Soldiers’ Angels, and send care packages and letters to let them know they’re loved. Also, consider reaching out to a local nursing care facility to donate cards, posters, or an uplifting word of encouragement.
Tutor
Upchieve.org connects low-income high school students in the United States with live, online tutors—you. With students in need of math support and basic college advice, tutors help kids succeed now and in the future. Upchieve also provides resources on how to become an Academic Coach.
Fundraise
There’s always an opportunity to take the initiative and raise funds for an organization that touches your heart. As the country grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Feeding America and the American Red Cross have been especially impactful during this time. They both have fundraising ideas that you can implement from home.
There’s always an opportunity to do more good—even when staying home is your only option. Find what you’re passionate about and use that to motivate you to give to those in need.