Volunteer
Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They help The Bowery Mission meet the needs of men, women and families experiencing homelessness, hunger and poverty in New York City. Serve or prepare a meal, participate in our clothing program, offer a special or professional skill, mentor a client or student and more. Sign up and make an impact in someone’s life today — you may walk away with more than you came to give!
Register Online to Volunteer
Important Information
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
- All volunteers must be in good health. If you are feeling unwell or exhibiting any symptoms of illness, we kindly ask that you refrain from volunteering.
- We are unable to accommodate volunteers with a felony conviction in any state.
- We do not accept volunteers who need to fulfill court-ordered community service.
- For safety reasons, electric scooters, bikes and other motorized devices are not permitted inside any Bowery Mission buildings. Additionally, bicycles or scooters, or any vehicle may not be stored inside our facilities.
- Individuals who have received any services from The Bowery Mission must wait at least one year before becoming eligible to volunteer.
FAQs
- How soon can I sign up for a volunteer shift?
Each volunteer event on our portal opens to the public one-month prior at midnight. For example: If you’d like to serve on 12/24, sign-ups will go live on 11/24. Please plan accordingly if you’d like to join us for a volunteer shift.
- How do I volunteer with a group?
Please reach out to our team at [email protected] to request a group reservation form.
- Can I take pictures during my volunteer service?
Volunteers may take photos or recordings of themselves and their service, but they may not photograph our guests or share the names of residents or guests without express permission from The Bowery Mission staff. To respect our community, staff and fellow volunteers, please refrain from recording or taking pictures during any meal service to avoid disrupting plate distribution. Live streaming of any kind is not allowed. Thank you for your understanding!
- What if I can’t make my shift?
If you cannot make your shift, please log into your volunteer profile and cancel your reservation. We rely on volunteers to help us provide services to our community. When volunteers don’t show, it delays us from helping guests in urgent need. Missing more than 3 shifts without cancellation will result in a hold on your profile and removal from future shifts.
- I'd like to volunteer, but cannot stay for an entire meal service. Can I leave early?
We ask that volunteers stay for the entire service as sudden departures can disrupt the meal. However, if you know you will have to leave early, please let us know ahead of time and also inform the shift supervisor upon your arrival and before your departure.
What to Know About On-site Volunteering
We Love our Volunteers!
Last year...
11,000 volunteers served with us to care for neighbors in need
Volunteers helped us prepare and serve more than 430,000 meals
Volunteers donated more than 51,000 hours of their time. That much time is equivalent to 5.8 years
See How Volunteers Are Making an Impact
What are volunteers saying about their experience serving at The Bowery Mission?
"Our experience was incredible and very humbling. This is something all organizations should get involved in across NYC." — Alex
"It is a calm environment. The chefs are very nice to me. The front desk team is very friendly and makes me feel welcome. It feels right to be part of something great." — Jose
"It was a physical, tangible connection to the community and to the connection that providing a meal gives. It was important to me to be there." — Joanne
Resources & Other Opportunities
Besides serving, you can support financially
See our complete guide to our volunteer opportunities
Learn more and sign up online: see opportunities for Individual & Community Groups and Corporate Groups!
The Bowery Mission meets urgent needs and creates transformative community, helping people overcome homelessness and poverty through the love of Jesus. Since the 1870s, we have been a place of welcome, care and healing in New York City. Every meal and service is an invitation to a community of care that helps clients make progress toward a transformed life of faith, sobriety, sustainable income and independent living. To empower children to thrive and succeed, The Bowery Mission also offers year-round opportunities for enrichment through Mont Lawn City Camp, culminating in summer camp for hundreds of children in the Poconos Region of Pennsylvania.