Some of the organizations in Manatee County looking for volunteers to help Manatee County residents can be found below. If you would like your information for your non-profit organization posted here, please
contact us.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Bradenton has both seasonal and year-round opportunities for volunteerism that allow for individuals, families or groups to “Do the Most Good," both face to face and behind the scenes. Year-round volunteer opportunities include:
- Emergency Disaster Services
- Community dinner
- Youth enrichment for children at family shelter
- Youth programs
Seasonal opportunities include:
- Angel Tree (September)
- Angel Tree toy shop sorting and distribution (December)
- Ring bells at our red kettles (November and December)
- Emergency Disaster Services
More Details
Turning Points
Provides, facilitates and coordinates services to prevent and reduce homelessness. Urgent need for volunteers.
Contact: Cheryl at 941-747-1509, ext. 308
More Details
See open volunteer positions on Volunteer Match
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
Operates the Food Bank of Manatee and is the largest hunger-relief organization based in Manatee County. They work with approximately 80 local non-profit partner agencies and food pantries to get food in the hands of Manatee County residents in need. They assist individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring, supportive services. While services include delivering nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled, other essential programs include the Daybreak Adult Day Center and Friendship Dining Centers.
Complete an online volunteer form or call 941-747-4655
United Way Suncoast
Works with community leaders and partners to provide services and programs related to financial education, workforce development and credit/debt/tax counseling programs designed to help families and individuals increase their incomes and build financial stability. They also lead many programs and collaborate with partners to help children develop academic skills. They focus on early literacy to ensure that more children are able to read on grade level by third grade, and they help young adults successfully navigate middle and high school and graduate prepared to pursue vocational or secondary education. Volunteer Opportunities
JFCS of the Suncoast
Helps aging seniors, at-risk youth, homeless Veterans and individuals and families in need. Volunteer Application
Easterseals Southwest Florida
A part of our community for nearly 75 years, Easterseals offers the highest quality of care and services to children, youth and adults with disabilities so that they can enjoy access, opportunities and increased life choices. Volunteer Application
Feeding Tampa Bay
Part of the national Feeding America network, Feeding Tampa Bay focuses on providing food to over 1 million food insecure families in the 10-county area of West Central Florida. Local opportunities include:
Manatee County Mega Pantry: Weekly Tuesdays. 3 to 6 PM at Desoto Mall
City Life Church Mobile Pantry: Second Thursdays, 3:30 to 6 PM
Just for Girls Academy Mobile Pantry: First Saturdays, 8:30 to 11:00 AM
Early Learning Coalition Mobile Pantry: Second Saturdays, 8:30 to 11 AM
Volunteer Sign-Up Page
Our Daily Bread
Supported by over 2,000 individuals, churches, civic organizations, trusts, and businesses. For volunteer opportunities, email Penny Goethe or go to Website.
Habitat for Humanity
Help create a community where children and families have safe, sustainable and affordable homes.
Email Barb or go to their
Website for more details.
Senior Connection Center
Looking for volunteers who share a desire for health and wellness and who are willing to facilitate workshops, as well as partner organizations who share the same mission and are willing to work to increase availability of Senior Connection Center's health and wellness programs. Opportunities include the following:
SHINE Program to help elders make informed decisions about Medicare, health insurance and prescription drug plans
Hope Family Services
Provides support survivors of domestic violence. A variety of special projects are available, including office help, sorting donations or organizing closets.
Holiday Help: Volunteers are needed in late October, November, and all of December to solicit holiday donations; sort toys and clothing; pick-up and deliver donations to the Shelter; wrap and distribute presents.
Hope Chest Thrift Store: Retailing, pricing, organizing and sorting merchandise for resale, the HOPE Chest Store is located at 1215 8th Ave West. Flexible hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Complete a volunteer application
Women's Resource Center
Has been providing women of all ages and backgrounds with support, resources and services for almost 40 years in Sarasota and 30 years in Bradenton. For more information, contact
volunteers @mywrc.org.
Volunteer Opportunities & Online Form
Blood Donations
Suncoast Blood Centers: Find locations and make an appointment Webpage
To Volunteer, contact
Joan Leonard via email or call 941-954-1600, ext. 150.
One Blood: Find a Blood Drive or Donor Center
EcoVets
A non-profit organization whose mission is to help Veterans grow food and experience nature as they transition to civilian life through a certified organic farm made possible through a partnership with Easterseals. Their monthly Farm Brigade group for Veterans and their friends meets monthly on Saturdays from 9 AM to Noon at 350 Braden Avenue, Sarasota 34243. More information about additional programs.
Manasota Operation Troop Support (MOTS_
A non profit that provides care packages to our troops, monthly food/frozen meat distributions, annual school drives and holiday toys for Veterans and Active Military children, annual Veterans fishing event and ongoing miscellaneous requests to support Veterans, Active Military and their families. Contact Linda Craig via email for volunteer opportunities
National PTSD Service Association
Provides highly skilled service canines free of charge to military Veterans and public safety personnel suffering with post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma by empowering them to return to life with confidence and independence through their partnership with their assistance dog. Email your interest.
Suncoast for Grade-Level Reading
Volunteers are needed in April and May for This Book is Cool 2021 Summer Reading Challenge to count, label and prepare books for children in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties so that they can participate. Anyone high school aged and up can volunteer. Volunteer Information
Take Stock in Children
Looking for mentors to help invest in a student’s future by providing guidance, assurance and encouragement to navigate their academic path towards postsecondary education and beyond. Find out more and apply as a mentor
Boys & Girls Club
Individual and group volunteers needed to help serve some of the approximately 2,400 youths who are a part of Boys and Girls Club. Opportunities include homework help/tutoring, afternoon club volunteer, teen program (homework assistance, career preparedness activities, field trips, guest speakers), bus monitors, college and career advisors, special events/fundraising and summer programs. Volunteer Information
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Mentors are needed to spend time with a young person in the community or the youth’s school, especially men (more than 70% of children are waiting for a Big Brother). Go to their Ways to Get Involved Webpage or call 813-621-1188 or 941-488-4009.
Palmetto Youth Center
Provides a positive environment for at-risk youngsters. Call 941-722-0783, email [email protected] or go to their Website.
County Volunteer Opportunities