Summer is when communities come alive—and volunteers help make it happen. From community events and outdoor projects to nonprofit programs that serve families year-round, there are countless opportunities to get involved. Volunteering is a chance to meet new people, share your talents, and make a lasting impact close to home. Check out this month’s featured opportunities and find a role that’s right for you.

Build Hope at the ReStore
Make a difference while having fun at the Itasca County Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Volunteers are needed Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to serve as cashiers, greet customers, organize merchandise, and help keep the store clean and welcoming. Gain valuable retail and customer service experience while supporting Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope. Whether you can volunteer once or regularly, your time will make a lasting impact—and you may even qualify for a volunteer discount! Learn more.

Help Kids Shine
Make a meaningful impact at Foster Love Closet by helping children and families access essential clothing at their new location in Central Square Mall in Grand Rapids. Volunteers sort donations, organize inventory, and assist families during shopping hours. Shifts are available Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (organizational support), and Thursdays, 9  a.m.–3 p.m. (customer support). Your time helps create a welcoming, dignified ‘shopping’ experience for community members experiencing hardship. Sign up.

Celebrate Every Stride
Help make Running the Rapids a success! Volunteers are needed on Saturday, August 22, at Portage Park in Cohasset to assist with registration, guide runners along the course, and support finish line activities for the half marathon and 5K finishers. Sign up today and be part of a fun, high-energy event that supports our community! Take action.

Increase Access to Healthy Food
Help support the Hub Farm Boxes and Veggie Rx programs with the Grand Rapids Farmer’s Market by ensuring local families have access to fresh, healthy produce. Volunteers will sort produce, weigh and bag items, and pack 10–30 half-bushel boxes each week. Must be able to lift 5 pounds or more. Volunteer Saturdays from 8–10 a.m. on select dates from July 18 through October 3. Whether you can help once or throughout the season, your time will make a meaningful difference in our community. Learn more.

Inspire Kids This Summer
Spend your summer making a difference in the life of a child! The Boys & Girls Club of the Northland is seeking caring, enthusiastic volunteers to support youth programs at Robert J. Elkington Middle School in Grand Rapids. Help with games, crafts, reading, outdoor activities, and positive mentorship while creating a fun, safe environment for school-aged children. Whether you can volunteer once or throughout the summer, your time will help kids learn, grow, and build confidence. Get involved.

Sign up for these opportunities—or explore dozens more ways to give back—by visiting volunteer.uwlakes.org.

Volunteer Itasca, powered by United Way of 1000 Lakes, is our region’s central hub for volunteerism, connecting individuals with meaningful opportunities that strengthen our community. Through this shared platform, nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities and manage volunteers at no cost, thanks to United Way’s investment in building community capacity.

In the past year alone, volunteers contributed more than 1,700 hours of service to nonprofits across Itasca County, helping organizations advance their missions and expand their impact.

Organizations interested in posting volunteer opportunities—or referring a partner organization to join—are encouraged to contact Molly Hiipakka, United Way’s Community Impact Coordinator, at 218-999-7570 or molly@uwlakes.org. Membership is free and includes personalized technical support, as well as access to the Volunteer Coordinators Network (VCN), a quarterly gathering of volunteer engagement professionals focused on strengthening volunteer recruitment, retention, and community impact.

The next Volunteer Coordinators Network meeting will be held July 9 from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at Kootasca Community Action (822 NE 5th Ave., Grand Rapids).