Opportunities From: United Way of East Central Iowa

Cleaning Supplies: 

Office Supplies: 

​ Gift Cards: 

Pet Supplies:

Volunteers — or “Snow Heroes” — who would like to help shovel snow from public sidewalks for Cedar Rapids residents in need this winter. Snow Hero volunteers can sign up on the City of Cedar Rapids website at www.CityofCR.com/SnowBuddies. Heroes must be at least 18 years old and provide their own snow-removal equipment. 

Snow Heroes will be paired with eligible residents in need - based on factors such as location and availability. Snow Heroes will not be allowed to solicit or accept money, tips or gifts for their volunteer activities. Can't commit to the whole winter season but want to help keep our sidewalks safe and clear? Backup Snow Buddies are needed as well! 

As cold and flu season approaches, the Eastern Iowa Health Center is seeking volunteers to host a coat drive for our adult patients. We are collecting hats, gloves, and winter coats in all sizes to help ensure that our patients stay warm and healthy throughout the colder months.

We are asking for gifts of clothing for our clients this holiday season! To participate, please purchase any of the following items and bring them to our main shelter at 1247 4th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 by December 19th:

Packs of T-shirts

Packs of Socks

Packs of Underwear

Sweatshirts

Sweatpants

Long-Sleeve Shirts

If you wrap your clothing gifts, please wrap each item individually and label what the gift is and the size on the outside. The most common sizes we need are men's Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large. If you are unable to wrap your gift, that is okay! We will make sure that gifts are wrapped before handing them out. Please bring these clothing gifts to our main shelter by Dec. 19th!

We have a goal to receive and give out 200 stuffed backpacks to our clients this holiday season! Will you accept the challenge?

To participate, grab a backpack and stuff it with the following items for our clients:

A folder to keep important documents

Wallet

Winter Hat

Winter Gloves or Mittens

Hand Warmers

Please bring donations of stuffed backpacks to our main shelter at 1247 4th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 by December 19th.

If you want to donate additional items in your backpack, please bring them outside of your finished backpack. We want to make sure that our clients receive similar stuffed backpacks and will make sure your additional items are given to our clients.

An ongoing holiday giving challenge is to stock up on our shelter necessities!

Donations for shelter necessities do not require any gift wrapping or specific items, they are things that we use on a regular basis to help keep our shelter spaces clean. Please feel free to bring in any of the following items to our shelter to meet this holiday giving need:

Blankets

Dish Soap

Laundry Soap/Pods

Trash Bags (13 gallon and 55 gallon)

Toilet Paper

Disinfectant

All-Purpose Cleaner

Make a Difference in the Kitchen with Meals on Wheels!

Meals on Wheels serves our community by preparing and delivering hot, nutritious meals to clients each weekday. Volunteers play a vital role in helping us meet this mission—and we couldn’t do it without you!

Available Kitchen Opportunities:

Ingredient Preparation — 7:30/8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Assist with washing, chopping, and preparing ingredients for the day’s meals.

Assembly Line Assistance — 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Work alongside staff and fellow volunteers to assemble hot, nutritious meals.

Meal Packaging
Help package approximately 600 meals per day with a dedicated, friendly team.

Route Organization — Monday through Friday
Assist in organizing and staging meals for delivery to our clients.

Congregate Meals (Brownstone Café) — 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Support our community dining program by serving meals and engaging with guests.

Each of these roles offers the chance to work with a supportive team while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Join us in delivering “more than just a meal.” As a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver, you’ll provide nutritious food, a friendly visit, a safety check—and the reassurance that someone cares. Your time helps seniors remain safe and independent in their own homes.

Our dedicated volunteers deliver more than 1,000 meals each weekday across the metro area. Drivers pick up meals around 10:45 a.m. from various pick-up sites, and each route takes about one hour to complete.

Flexible Opportunities:
Our routes are both family-friendly and business-friendly. You can deliver once a week, once a month, or as your schedule allows—we’ll work with you to find a fit that works best.

Volunteer Requirements:

A current driver’s license

Your own vehicle and proof of auto insurance

Completion of a background check prior to delivering

Youth are welcome to accompany an adult driver!

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in your community, contact us at volunteer@horizonsfamily.org or call 319-398-3943 to learn more.

Join Matthew 25 at Five Seasons Lights 2025! As a nonprofit partner for this year's event, we are looking for volunteers to staff the event, share information about our mission, and collect donations on behalf of Matthew 25 the evening of Sunday, December 14th. This is a wonderful chance to connect with families, share the work we do, and build awareness of our mission and programs!

Shifts are available in 1-2 hour increments between 4:30-9pm. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, please contact volunteer@matthew-25.org.

Join us in making the Parade of Lights magical and safe by setting up and taking down barricades along the route. Light up the night with us while keeping everyone safe.

Greet our vendors with a smile and help them find their spots in the morning. You'll be the go-to person to ensure everyone's set up and ready to go.

After a successful show, lend a hand with cleanup. You'll be helping us pack up and leave the space as neat as we found it.

Help transform our venue by setting up tables and chairs the night before the big show. Your effort will make the morning run smoothly for all our vendors.

Before the race, help us set up barricades and cones. A perfect role for fans of festive events!

After the race, help us wrap things up by removing barricades and cones. A perfect role if you want to see the event from start to finish!

Cheer on runners and point them in the right direction out on the course. Your energy will keep them motivated and on track.

Be the friendly face that greets our runners! Help with handing out race packets and managing day-of sign-ups so everyone is ready to run.

Our day-to-day meals are delivered through an amazing partnership with Horizon's Meals on Wheels.  However, holiday meals are not covered through that partnership.  We love to ask the community for assistance to provide a nice meal to both staff and patients at the Access Center for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  

We’re looking for two awesome bikers to help guide the way for our Reindeer Run 5K on Saturday, November 29th!

Help spread the "thanks" this Thanksgiving: we need drivers to deliver meals to older adults in the Cedar Rapids Metro area on Thanksgiving Day.

Here is the link to sign up:   Holidog Bazaar Setup Helper

We could use some help setting up for our largest fundraiser of the year: Holidog Bazaar 2025!

Volunteers are needed during the day on Friday, December 5th.  We start at around 8am and if we have enough helpers are usually done by 3-4pm or earlier!

Some shifts start at our shelter loading up all the goods, merchandise and raffle baskets (please don't carry them by the plastic bag wrapped around them!)

Some shifts start at the event venue (near NewBo)  moving tables and chairs getting everything set up and ready.

Some shifts involve setting out merch making sure it looks "pretty" (and not sloppy/throw together) and pricing items).

Lots to do and we could use the help if you're free during the daytime!

Thanks in advance!

p.s. We do have a few pack up shifts still for AFTER our actual event on Saturday Dec 6th concluded (same link)

The holidays can be a tough time for many and especially those seeking care and working towards bettering their well-being.  We are looking for a small group who would be willing to donate small gifts for patients staying at the Access Center during the holiday season.   Staff can assist with gift ideas if you'd like!