Youth Volunteering
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Open Arms. From preparing medically tailored meals in our state-of-the-art kitchen to delivering our nourishing food to our critically ill clients, every aspect of our operations is made possible because of the incredible dedication of our volunteers.
We are especially excited to welcome our youngest volunteers to Open Arms! Join us in making a profound difference for our neighbors living with life-threatening illnesses. Find more information below or get in touch with us about youth volunteering by email or by calling 612-872-1152.
Age Requirements
All volunteer opportunities at Open Arms are open to youth volunteers, with conditions and special circumstances detailed below. Whether you’re in the kitchen, on delivery, or at the farms, we will work with you to find the perfect fit for your skills, interests, and availability. Please note:
- Children under 16 must be accompanied at all times by an adult who has attended volunteer training.
- All volunteers under 18 must have waivers signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to volunteer experience.
- Some volunteer activities, such as equipment use, are available to children based on age.
See youth opportunities below, broken down by age group.
Ages 16+
- May volunteer in the kitchen and at Open Farms without an accompanying adult.
- May deliver with an adult driver. (Must be 18 to deliver alone.)
Ages 12–15
- May volunteer in the kitchen and at Open Farms accompanied by an adult, with a ratio of no more than 3 youth to 1 adult.
- May deliver with an adult driver.
Ages 8–11
- May volunteer in the kitchen and at Open Farms accompanied by an adult, with a ratio of no more than 2 youth to 1 adult.
- May deliver with an adult driver.
Ages 6–7
- May volunteer at Open Farms accompanied by an adult, with a ratio of no more than 1 child to 1 adult.
- May deliver with an adult driver.
- There are no regular scheduled kitchen opportunities for this age group, but we plan special activities for children throughout the year.
How to Get Started
New to Open Arms?
All new volunteers (including kids with a supervising adult) must attend an orientation, so bring the family! Sign up for an orientation.
Already a Volunteer?
Current, active adult volunteers interested in sharing the Open Arms volunteer experience with a child or teenager can email our volunteer team to get started.
Questions?
Get in touch with us about youth volunteering at Open Arms. Email [email protected] or call 612-872-1152.
