Teams of volunteers purchase and distribute food and beverage to up to 200 customers waiting for assistance at Crisis Assistance Ministry's main office at 500-A Spratt Street. Breakfast, a drink, and a kind smile are welcome relief to people who are facing the uncertainty of financial crisis. Groups who volunteer are asked to purchase and serve breakfast items for 200 people, the average number of people who seek assistance each day. Suggested breakfast items: Fresh fruit Sausage/Chicken biscuits Granola bars/muffins Bottled water/Fruit juice Coffee or Hot Chocolate Items should be easy to hand out; individually wrapped items are preferred. Recommended capacity is 10 volunteers, however, groups can include up to 35 volunteers when combined with the Free Store Production Area volunteer opportunity on the same day. How to Create a Team To register for these opportunities, you will need to create a team. To do that, you will need the name and email address (or phone number) of each participant. Once you have gathered that information, click here to create your account, navigate to the opportunity you choose, and select "sign up with a team," then choose Option 2 to "create a new team" and add each participant’s name and contact information. If you already have an account, log in and proceed as above by selecting “sign up with a team.” NOTE: If you do not have the contact information of all members, simply sign up for the volunteer opportunity and use the CONTACT US feature to send the total number of team members that would like to join you!

Volunteers greet donors who drop off new or gently used household or clothing items at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Donation Drive Thru, located at 500-A Spratt Street. You’ll help unload donations from vehicles, provide tax receipts, and say thank you. Volunteers in this role make it possible for families to shop free-of-charge for clothing and household goods. As a result, shoppers may redirect their limited resources toward maintaining housing, utilities, and other basic needs. You must be over 18 years of age for this opportunity.

Volunteers in Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store, located at 500-A Spratt Street, assist with store merchandising, checkout processes, and operations while providing friendly, positive, and efficient customer service to an average of 80 families per day who shop free-of-charge for essentials. Volunteers in this role make it possible for families to shop free-of-charge for clothing and household goods. As a result, shoppers may redirect their limited resources toward maintaining housing, utilities, and other basic needs.

Volunteers in Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store Production Area, located at 500-A Spratt Street, receive, inspect, and repair donated items; size and hang clothing, and stocking the store which serves an average of 80 families per day with essentials free-of-charge. Volunteers in this role make it possible for families to shop free-of-charge for clothing and household goods. As a result, shoppers may redirect their limited resources toward maintaining housing, utilities, and other basic needs.

Teams of volunteers purchase and assemble dressers for families served at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Furniture Bank, located at 333 Dalton Avenue. Dressers are one of the top five needs for families overcoming homelessness or other financial crisis. Volunteers in this role help families live with dignity by providing furniture, beds, and appliances free of charge. Once you schedule this opportunity, you will receive information on how to order dresser kits from IKEA for delivery to the Furniture Bank. We recommend IKEA's KULLEN 6-Drawer Dresser/Article #403.221.26. Teams are required to purchase 1 dresser for every 2 volunteers in attendance.

Strong, willing volunteers are needed to assist with bulk mattress and furniture pick up at local hotels, universities, and other institutions on an “on call,” as needed, basis.  Locations may vary, and lifting, climbing stairs, and moderate to heavy physical exertion will be required. Volunteers in this role help families live with dignity by providing furniture, beds, and appliances free of charge.

Teams of volunteers purchase and distribute food and beverage to up to 200 customers waiting for assistance at Crisis Assistance Ministry's main office at 500-A Spratt Street. Lunch, a drink, and a kind smile are welcome relief to people who are facing the uncertainty of financial crisis. Groups who volunteer are asked to purchase and serve breakfast items for 200 people, the average number of people who seek assistance each day. Suggested lunch items: Sandwiches, wraps (Condiments are welcomed!) Fresh fruit Chips/Granola bar Bottled water, juice Items should be easy to hand out; individually wrapped items are preferred.

Teams of up to 10 volunteers load, transport, and unload furniture and household goods for families transitioning to stable housing. Lifting, climbing stairs, moderate to heavy physical exertion is required for this opportunity. Volunteer shifts begin at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Furniture Bank, located at 333 Dalton Avenue, which provides furniture, beds, and appliances free-of-charge to individuals and families overcoming homelessness or other financial crisis. Individuals/families select essential household furniture from donated furniture, beds, and appliance available at the Crisis Assistance Ministry Furniture Bank and then a team of volunteers helps transport it to the new home. This service allows people to conserve their limited financial resources, to minimize the high cost of moving expenses, and to live with dignity in properly furnished homes. Teams are asked provide (or rent) a moving truck and driver. Team members meet at the Furniture Bank and carpool to the homes together. Enterprise offers a discounted rate of $100 for a 16ft. moving truck for this program and will drop off and pick up their truck from the Furniture Bank, as needed. Contact any of their team members at (704) 509-6531 to make truck rental arrangements.

Volunteers provide assistance at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Furniture Bank, located at 333 Dalton Avenue, unloading truck delivery of sanitized, bagged mattresses for families overcoming financial crisis. Work occurs on the dock and in warehouse; requires lifting, walking, pushing, and pulling. Volunteers in this role help families live with dignity by providing furniture, beds, and appliances free of charge.

New individual volunteers interested in recurrent and long-term volunteer roles should attend a Volunteer Information Session before selecting a volunteer opportunity. Select this opportunity to sign up for your 1-hour information session. Individual volunteers perform a variety of supportive tasks at Crisis Assistance Ministry to prevent homelessness and preserve dignity for low-income neighbors in Mecklenburg County. Recurrent, long-term roles include administrative support, benefits access counselor, customer service, poverty simulation assistance, advocacy, communications, and skills-based opportunities. Note: Information sessions are not required for team roles, or the following individual volunteer opportunities: Donation Door Attendant Unload Sanitized Mattresses Furniture Pick Up Assistant Free Store Production Assistant

Volunteers assist in the warehouse at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Furniture Bank, located at 333 Dalton Avenue, with unloading cars and trucks, inspecting donations, updating inventory, and assisting customers with selecting furniture, beds, and appliances free-of-charge. Volunteers in this role help families overcoming financial crisis to live with dignity by providing furniture, beds, and appliances free-of-charge. Please note this opportunity requires the ability to lift heavy items and work in a non-climate-controlled space.