Volunteering with The Salvation Army is a fantastic way to meet new people, expand your skillset and acquire useful experience to put on your resume. But even more importantly, it helps us to uplift struggling families and make a profound difference in the lives of the underprivileged.  

Whether you are looking for a long-term commitment or a one-time project, The Salvation Army has opportunities for you. To volunteer for The Salvation Army and help build a more compassionate world, here’s what to do.

Identify where you want to volunteer 

You can visit salvationarmyusa.org/usn/volunteer/ to find the volunteer page. From there, you will see a map of the United States where you can click a region or insert your zip code to narrow down your results and find a local Salvation Army to volunteer with near you.   

Determine how you want to help 

Your local Salvation Army’s website will have lists of current openings with a wealth of opportunities to choose from. Do you want to assist at a shelter, organize food drives or even lend a helping hand at one of the thrift stores? Decide what interests you most—after all, The Salvation Army has volunteer options suited for a variety of passions, personalities and schedules.   

Complete a volunteer application form 

Once you have chosen where and how you want to help, you can fill out a volunteer form online, which you will find on your local Salvation Army’s website. You just need to submit your name, contact information and any additional comments and The Salvation Army will get back to you as soon as possible.  

Attend an informal chat 

Upon receiving your application form, you’ll be invited to chat with some of the team members and learn more about the volunteer opportunity.   

Provide references 

You will likely be asked to provide a couple of references, although this can depend on which role you are applying for. Additionally, some roles require a disclosure check, but this will be included in the role description, and you will be given support and guidance through the process.  

Attend training 

At the beginning of your volunteer journey, you will be given all the training you need to succeed at your role—then you’ll be ready to hit the ground running!