Volunteers are the heart and soul of FamilyWorks. Our volunteers contribute an average of 750 hours a month, which is critical to our operations.
We have volunteering opportunities for individuals, families, and groups. We also support high school and court-ordered community service.
As a volunteer, you would be helping us achieve our mission: to connect neighbors and families to nourishing food, essential resources, and a supportive community, so people can build resiliency to meet life’s challenges.
If you’re interested in any of the below opportunities, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.
For more information, contact Kat Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator: kathrynj@familyworksseattle.org / (206) 647-1788.
Volunteer Opportunities
Community & Special Events
Participate in a variety of activities throughout the year, including assisting with fundraising projects and family program events, such as Hunger Goblin’ Trick or Treat, Green Lake Pathway of Lights, and our Annual Sunday Supper & Silent Auction. Special events are great for people seeking weekend volunteer opportunities!
Availability: See Current Volunteer Opportunities page.
Group Volunteering
Group update: we are only scheduling very occasional group events. Usual group size of 3 people. Maximum group size of 5 people. Please contact our volunteer coordinator if interested.
Build memorable team experiences by volunteering as a group. Groups typically volunteer in the food bank on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays. We can accommodate groups of up to 5 people.
Is your group too big for our space? Host a fundraiser or drive at your workplace or organization instead!
Availability: Contact Kat Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator.
Supermarket Saturday Food Drive
Our food drives are held on the 4th Saturday of the month, from 10 AM – 1 PM at the Wallingford QFC. Volunteers hand out flyers to shoppers, which list the non-perishable goods for our food bank, and collect the donations.
This opportunity is family friendly! Check out the Current Volunteer Opportunities page to sign up.
High School Community Service
If you are 14 to 15 years old, you can volunteer during school breaks in our food bank. If you are 16 years or older, you can volunteer on Thursday afternoons from 3 – 6 PM or school breaks.
Supermarket Saturday food drives are great for students with weekend availability. You can also host food and clothing drives.
Availability: The food bank is currently waitlist only, but check out our Current Volunteer Opportunities page for other ways to fulfill your hours.
Court-Ordered Community Service
Volunteers will be accepted on a case-by-case basis to work in our Food Bank. You must complete a background check and be available to volunteer on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday when the Food Bank is open.
Please fill out this application and send it back to the Volunteer Coordinator Kat Johnson at kathrynj@familyworksseattle.org or drop it by the Family Resource Center.
Shifts subject to availability.
Food Bank
Assist in daily food bank activities, including sorting produce, distributing food to participants, disposing of garbage, sweeping floors, and unloading truck deliveries.
Volunteers are typically needed:
Tuesdays: 9 AM – 2:15 PM
Thursdays: 9 AM – 6:15 PM
Fridays: 9 AM – 1:15 PM
Must be at least 14 years of age and able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Availability: See Current Volunteer Opportunities page.
Family Resource Center at Cedar Crossing
Our Empowerment Champion welcomes families and individuals with dignity and respect and is the first point of contact for people who come to our Family Resource Center.
The ideal volunteer feels comfortable interacting with people from all walks of life, including those experiencing homelessness, and seeks to create an environment that is positive and empowering for our participants. Tasks include distribution of diapers and hygiene items, sorting through donations and general organizing and tidying
Reading Buddies
Encourage and support a love of books by reading with elementary school students. Reading Buddies runs while school is in session, Wednesdays 2:45 PM – 4 PM at Cedar Crossing in the Roosevelt neighborhood.
Volunteers must be over 18 years old.
Availability: If you are interested in volunteering as a Reading Buddy for the 2024/25 academic year, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Kat Johnson
Board Member
Our Board of Directors assists with organizational governance, advocacy, and implementation of FamilyWorks’ vision of community and family resilience.
Availability: We are currently seeking passionate members of our community to join our board.
For more information, contact Marcia Wright-Soika, Executive Director at (206) 647-1785 / marciaws@familyworksseattle.org
Food Drives, Clothing Drives, and more!
Coordinate your own drive in your school, neighborhood, or workplace!
Some awesome ideas for fundraisers and drives include: diapers & baby wipes, kids’ shoes or warm coats, hygiene supplies, non-perishable food, school supplies, and more!
For more information on planning a drive, contact our Communications Coordinator Kirby Lochner at kirbyl@familyworksseattle.org
