Volunteer

You Make it Possible

Meals on Wheels Chicago relies on its champion volunteers to help provide essential nutrition and wellness programs to thousands of seniors and individuals with disabilities.

From passing out fresh food at the Nourish Chicago Pantry to set up at events, there are so many ways to get involved.

We rely on dedicated volunteers, including individuals, families, and corporate groups, to contribute time, effort, or professional skills. Learn about upcoming opportunities and sign up today!

Volunteering at a Glance

Blue graphic icon representing two people.

INDIVIDUALS >

Volunteer by yourself, with a friend, or as a family. A variety of opportunities are available, including one-time and ongoing commitments. Please note, volunteer opportunities for those under 18 years old are available, but please contact our team prior to signing up to find the best match.

Blue graphic icon representing a storefront.

COMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONS >

Choose Meals on Wheels for your next company volunteer day or contact us about more customized opportunities. We are always looking for extra hands for a one-time event, as well as certain professional services.

For Individuals

balance
Help at the Nourish Chicago Pantry
50%, Individuals
Help at the Nourish Chicago Pantry
50%, Individuals

Meals on Wheels Chicago hosts a food pantry at a local senior center once a month. Organize inventory, set-up and break-down, and help seniors carry their items.

50%, Individuals
Build Awareness in the Community
50%, Individuals
Build Awareness in the Community
50%, Individuals

Meals on Wheels Chicago often sets up a table and tent at community events and local farmer’s markets, spreading the word about the Home Meal Delivery program. Volunteer to table for a few hours! We will make sure you have the information you need to answer questions and have a good time!

50%, Individuals
Assist our Fundraising Efforts at Events
50%, Individuals
Assist our Fundraising Efforts at Events
50%, Individuals

Do you love to plan events? Do you like to be behind the scenes? Consider volunteering at one of our three signature fundraising events or joining our Celebrity Chef Ball planning committee.

50%, Individuals
Share Your Skills
50%, Individuals
Share Your Skills
50%, Individuals

Are you in marketing? Social media management? Fundraising? Finance? Law? Share your skills with Meals on Wheels Chicago! We are always looking for extra help from industry professionals to advance our mission.

50%, Individuals

For Groups, Companies and Organizations

balance
Host a Team Volunteer Day at the Nourish Chicago Food Pantry
100%, Organizations
Host a Team Volunteer Day at the Nourish Chicago Food Pantry
100%, Organizations

Meals on Wheels Chicago hosts the Nourish Chicago Pantry at a local senior center, the Central West Senior Center at 2102 W. Ogden Ave., the fourth Tuesday of every month from 1pm to 3pm. Bring your team together to provide nutritious items and promote wellness in the community. Your team members can take on different roles, including organizing inventory, set-up and break-down, handing out food, and helping seniors carry grocery bags.

100%, Organizations
Write Love Notes for Homebound and Isolated Seniors
50%, Organizations
Write Love Notes for Homebound and Isolated Seniors
50%, Organizations

84% of our senior clients report that their Meals on Wheels delivery driver is the only person they see all week. These levels of isolation can be deadly. Remind seniors they are loved and valued with hand-written, thoughtfully created notes.

50%, Organizations
Celebrate Seniors at City Senior Centers
50%, Organizations
Celebrate Seniors at City Senior Centers
50%, Organizations

Does your company organize volunteer opportunities? We need your help at the City’s Senior Centers! Volunteer with your coworkers to organize a game of bingo and serve lunch.

50%, Organizations
Create Wellness Packs
50%, Organizations
Create Wellness Packs
50%, Organizations

Coordinate a collection of items to support the health and wellness of seniors (a list of suggestions would be provided), and put together individual Wellness Packs for seniors together as a team. Wellness Packs are then distributed to seniors in need throughout Chicago.

50%, Organizations
Offer Professional Services
50%, Organizations
Offer Professional Services
50%, Organizations

Does your company offer professional services to nonprofits? Share your skills with Meals on Wheels Chicago! We are always looking for extra help from industry professionals to help us advance our mission. Specific areas of need include videography, marketing, social media management, fundraising, finance, and law.

50%, Organizations
Supporting Seniors and Building Community written in text.
A senior and a chef smiling and hugging at a Celebrity Chef Ball event.
Three Nourish Chicago Pantry volunteers from Bank of America smile and hold up signs that say, "It takes all fo us" and "#BofAVolunteers".
Ten Bank of America volunteers stand behind table of Pet Packs at the Nourish Chicago Pantry.
Large group of Meals on Wheels Chicago volunteers pose for a photo in front of a step and repeat.
A dark blue quote graphic says, "There's a lot of different places e can focus our energy and our money, but I feel like everything I do through Meals on Wheels is positive and has a direct impact." The quote is by Laura from Monahan Law Group.
A Meals on Wheels Chicago staff member gives a gift item to a senior at a raffle event.
A senior and a Meals on Wheels Chicago volunteer play bingo at an event.
A large group of ComEd volunteers pose for a photo in matching tshirts at a senior center event.
A Nourish Chicago Pantry volunteer points to produce items and a senior looks at the items with a full cart.
A dark blue quote graphic says, "Meals on Wheels Chicago is making a real difference, not only by providing food but in the time staff and volunteers spend with seniors. No on e here feels like they are begging or people feel sorry for them. Everyone
A senior and a Meals on Wheels Chicago volunteer play bingo at an event.