Group Volunteer Opportunities

Kitchen Volunteer:

The ARCH Overnight Shelter serves dinner daily to all residents of the overnight shelter. Volunteers assist the ARCH kitchen staff from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm with serving dinner to 100 men. This is a great opportunity for volunteer teams, as well as individuals. Previously scheduled teams of 3-5 volunteers serve dinner seven nights a week. Please note that this is our most popular volunteer opportunity, and there is a waiting list during most of the year. Please complete the volunteer application in order to be added to the waiting list for kitchen volunteers.

New! Mail/Hygiene Desk Teams Needed:

We are looking for volunteers to completely take control of the mail/hygiene desk. Right now, it is mainly being run by the CSS’s (customer service specialist) and some very dedicated volunteers.  By having the mail and hygiene desk run completely by volunteers, CSS’ will be free to spend more one-on-one time with clients, provide resources and referrals, and perform more outreach to folks in the shelter. Great opportunity for businesses, faith-based organizations, school groups, or friends!

For more details, please see our blog here.

Circle of Care Mentor:

Mentor a formerly homeless man or woman as they move into their own home!

If you are interested in learning more about our Mentor Program, please attend one of the following information sessions (see below). Please rsvp to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in attending one of these sessions. If you have never attended a volunteer orientation, please also fill out our application here, as this will be required. All information sessions will be held at the ARCH (500 East 7th Street) in Conference Room A.

Donation Drives and Fundraisers:

Are you interested in hosting a donation drive or fundraiser for Front Steps and our clients?
As a group or team, help Front Steps obtain in-kind as well as financial contributions though donation drives and fundraisers. We are open to your ideas and suggestions! Contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it today.

Here are some ideas for group projects!

Gift card/certificate drive – Americans are sitting on about $30 Billion in unused gift cards, and we are happy to accept any cards that people might not otherwise use! For example, we could use gift cards to grocery or retail stores for folks moving into housing or to purchase much needed/necessary items; we could use entertainment cards for folks in case management and for our Volunteer Mentor program (movies, bowling, etc); we could use other cards (massage, restaurants, etc) for volunteer/employee appreciation gifts. The list goes on! Gift Cards are always a top need request from the clients and case managers, particularly for places like Target or HEB.

Bus Passes – Front Steps is always in need of daily, weekly, and monthly bus passes, particularly for folks who are elderly or who have a disability. We can purchase them at a discounted rate, so perhaps the students could hold a fundraiser to help us buy these items:

1. Hot Chocolate Stand
2. Lemonade Stand

Movie Night/Event – The students could host a movie event and watch a film such as The Pursuit of Happyness, and then discuss family homelessness afterwards. I am always happy to come in and facilitate these conversations.

Make Welcome Home Baskets – For folks moving into housing, especially with a homemade card.

1. Toilet paper, shower curtain, shower hooks
2. Toiletries
3. Cups, plates, utensils
4. Easy recipe books
5. Books and movies
6. Coupons

For more information or help with any of these projects, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

>>Return to Volunteer Opportunities...
>>View Individual Opportunities...

>>Go to Volunteer Application...