How do we get kids to give back? Connect them to community service from a young age and show them the power and rewards of volunteer work. By working with others and volunteering with local organizations, they’ll become part of a wider world and prioritize making it a better place.
There are plenty of options for San Francisco kids interested in community service. They include things like in-person activities with training, service kids can do from home, working with animals, and stocking food pantries. Explore different opportunities with your kids by working together. Volunteer as a family or ask your babysitter or nanny to arrange a fun service project to help support your kids as they begin to explore their interests as a member of the community.
Not sure where to start? Here are 10 volunteer opportunities for San Francisco kids and teens.
Take a Stand Against Hunger With the SF Food Bank
Address: 900 Pennsylvania Ave., San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415-282-1900
Other volunteer opportunities: Click here
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade that can help a family in need. To help kids harness their creativity and raise money for those in need, the SF Food Bank has created the Lemonade Stand Kit. It’s part of the organization’s “Take a Stand Against Hunger” campaign. The kit includes garlands and posters to help kids decorate their booth, tips for hosting a successful lemonade stand, and a lemonade recipe. Stock up on lemons, sugar, cups, scissors, and string, and your kids will be ready to fight hunger through the power of lemonade. The proceeds are donated to the food bank. A fun idea for kids is to donate earnings in person, or pick a day to volunteer and drop off the check.
Create Birthday Cards for Project Open Hand
Address: 730 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-447-2300
Other volunteer opportunities: Click here
Looking for a community service idea for younger kids? Help them create and decorate birthday cards for critically ill neighbors and seniors. Project Open Hand provides healthy meals and groceries to members of the community struggling with illness, isolation, and aging. Organization volunteers also deliver birthday cards, and that’s where you come in! Get out the glitter pens, markers, water colors — whatever your little artist likes to get their hands on. Together as a family, you can make homemade, heartfelt cards that will bring cheer and love to Project Open Hand clients on their birthdays. This is a great project for younger volunteers, families, and groups.
Become a Youth Volunteer at the San Francisco SPCA
Address: 201 Alabama St., San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-554-3000
Other volunteer opportunities: Click here
The SPCA offers volunteer opportunities for kids and teens of all ages. From ages 4 to 18, kids can participate in Humane Heroes. This community service program kicks off with an orientation, then young volunteers can interact with shelter animals, set up fundraisers, distribute information, and more. Kids in grades six through 12 can also participate in Community Service Days. As part of this program, they socialize with animals, help clean the shelter, and develop creative toys and adoption promotion materials. Animal lovers will enjoy putting their skills to good use for furry friends in need.
Clean the Beach and More With the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy
Address: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Bldg. 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-561-3000
Other volunteer opportunities: Click here
Get outdoors and give back to an organization that keeps the city beautiful and green: the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy. There are tons of volunteer opportunities for kids and teens of all ages. Participate in a monthly beach cleanup, help restore San Francisco coastal habitats, learn how to maintain trails, and more. Experience beautiful settings and interact with nature while learning new skills and contributing to San Francisco. There are lots of opportunities and different levels of engagement. Visit the volunteer website to find the right activity for your kids and teens.
Make a Donation Bag for Project Night Night
Address: 148 Beulah St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: 415-310-0360
Other volunteer opportunities: Click here
According to Project Night Night, one in 30 American children will face homelessness at some point this year. This organization provides kids in homeless shelters with tote bags, which include an age-appropriate book, a security blanket, and a stuffed animal. These packages provide comfort and stability during difficult times in a child’s life.
Creating a donation bag for Project Night Night is a great project for younger kids, who can select stuffed animals and books for a child in need. Books, toys, and blankets should be new. You can also organize a neighborhood Project Night Night donation bag party and create bags together.
Work With Wildlife at the San Francisco Zoo
Address: Sloat Boulevard at The Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 94132
Phone: 415-753-8123
Other volunteer opportunities: Click here
The San Francisco Zoo offers volunteer opportunities for teens and preteens age 11 to 17. There are four different types of community service: Zoo Crew, Nature Trail, Talk on the Wild Side, and Zoo Teacher Assistant. Each program involves a different time commitment and style of engagement. Youth volunteers earn experience with animals as well as experience educating the public. Check the website to sign up for an orientation date. These orientations fill up fast, so sign up soon if your teen or preteen is interested in volunteering at the zoo in 2018.
Volunteer for SCRAP
Address: 801 Toland St., San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415-647-1746
Donation opportunities: Click here
SCRAP receives over 250 tons of donated material each year, which it offers to the public, and teachers, for their projects, classrooms, and more. It’s a nonprofit creative reuse center that contributes to the arts and creativity as a way to keep this city alive and vital. SCRAP keeps these materials out of landfills and gives them a new purpose that contributes to the community. But it can’t keep the warehouse running without the help of volunteers. It’s a perfect place for young, creative volunteers to immerse themselves in a magical world of wild materials and workshop space.
Kids can also earn school community service credit here. This is a great opportunity for art lovers and makers, who will sort, organize, and stock exciting found materials.
Organize a Coat Drive With One Warm Coat
Address: 2443 Fillmore St., Ste. 380-5363, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Do not send coat packages to this address.)
Phone: 877-663-9276
Donation opportunities: Click here
With winter on its way, start a new family tradition of organizing an annual coat drive in your community. Your kids can take the reins on this project by using the easy six-step system created by One Warm Coat. Work together to promote, organize, and deliver warm coats and increase the impact of this critical organization. This is a great way to get elementary and middle school kids to take initiative and pride in their community service by creating a drive and seeing it through from start to finish. Through hard work and determination, they’ll help kids like them throughout the city stay warm this winter.
Spend a Saturday at the Excelsior Community Food Pantry
Address: 32 Ocean Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112
Phone: 415-787-4751
Donation opportunities: Click here
Have your kids put a free Saturday to good use at the Excelsior Community Food Pantry. Kids of all ages can work on setting up the food pantry, handing out food, and cleaning up the space. They’ll help the system work smoothly so that more families can easily access the food they need. Youth volunteers will also learn important skills by interacting with the community, and finding out how the food pantry works. Volunteers under age 11 must be accompanied by a parent or trusted adult.
Join the Food Pantry Corps at Jewish Family and Children’s Services
Address: 2150 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415-449-3824
Other volunteer opportunities: Click here
The Regional Food Pantry Corps helps ensure that groceries reach the people who need them the most. Jewish Family and Children’s Services provides food for “low-income families and individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals in crisis.” As a a member of the Food Pantry Corps, you can join your kids in shopping for perishable foods, stocking shelves, and conducting inventory. This organization provides an important service to the community and can use your help. It’s also a great volunteer opportunity for the whole family to get involved in.
