Are you giving ‘Christmas Presence’ this year? Your time is a priceless gift that has the power to transform lives. The Salvation Army of Abbotsford operates a Sponsor a Family Program, the Angel Tree Program, the Christmas Kettle Campaign and many more. For more information on these programs or to donate, please call The Centre of Hope at 604 852 9305.

At The Salvation Army, we are eternally grateful to over 60 volunteers who assist in the many services that we provide. These ambassadors to the community give their time, talents, and resources to meet the ever-growing challenges that we face as we work to meet the needs in our area. From van drivers to store clerks, from produce sorters to dishwashers, from drop-in centre workers to emergency services responders – we could not do what we do without their help!

Volunteers are vital for the delivery of our programs and services in the Abbotsford-Mission area. Volunteers help us help others in so many ways – serving coffee and meals, sorting clothes and books, emergency services, and fundraising. The opportunities are limitless! From van drivers to store clerks, from produce sorters to dishwashers, from drop-in centre workers to emergency services responders – we could not do what we do without their help.

To be effective in today’s society, The Salvation Army needs volunteers as never before. Throughout its history, The Army has relied on the volunteer skills of not only its own members but also those in the community who support the Army’s mission as we seek to alleviate the most obvious and serious needs of those who come to us for help.

You can be a hero by sharing your time, energy, and skills with the less fortunate of our society. As a volunteer, you will be making an investment in your community. You will experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping people transform their lives, and along the way, you may discover some hidden qualities in yourself.

Volunteer Opportunities

Meal Centre

A team of volunteers assist the Meal Centre Supervisor in preparing a hot lunch for our clients every day of the year. Volunteers are introduced to a number of tasks, including meal preparation, sorting and bagging produce and bread products, serving meals and coffee, and cleanup. This is a fast paced environment where you will be working together with a number of other volunteers.

Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Sunday 8:00 am – 12:00 noon

Requirements: Standing for long periods, some lifting, ability to follow directions, ability to work well with others, flexibility, criminal record check, 16 years or older

Hope Café

Open weekday mornings, the Hope Café (our Drop In Centre) is a safe place for people to come for a morning meal and fellowship. Volunteers serve coffee and a light breakfast, engage clients in conversation, or help direct individuals to appropriate agencies for assistance. As we are always looking for new ways to make meaningful and life-changing contact with our clients, the programs of our Drop In Centre are subject to change.

Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Sunday 8:00 am – 12:00 noon

Requirements: Standing for long periods, some lifting, empathy, acceptance of people from all walks of life, ability to follow directions, criminal record check, 16 years or older

Food Donation Pickup

Volunteer drivers arrive early each morning to pick up produce and baked goods from local businesses. These donations are used to provide a hot nourishing meal for our clients each day as well as supplying programs like the Hope Café and the Emergency Shelter. The surplus is bagged daily by volunteers for distribution at the Meal Centre. Meal Centre clients may receive a bag of produce and a bag of baked items (depending on what has been received that day). Volunteers ensure that the food is distributed in a fair and equitable manner.

Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Saturday, 7:30 – 12:00 (may finish earlier)

Requirements: Heavy lifting, class 5 licence, safe driving record, ability to follow directions, willingness to travel around the Lower Mainland, 16 years or older

Abbotsford Thrift Store

Donated items are received, sorted, priced and prepared for sale in our Thrift Store. Volunteers may unload donations from vehicles, pre-sort items, hang priced clothing and linens, sort books and check all appliances and small electrical items before being placed in our Thrift Store for sale.

The thrift store serves the community at large with low cost, high quality, recycled clothing, household goods and furniture. Volunteers in the store will assist customers, keep the racks and shelves stocked and help to keep the store tidy and attractive for customers.

Goods from the store may be used by Family Services staff to assist people in need. Profits from Thrift Store sales help to support the programs offered at the Centre of Hope.

Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Saturday, various shifts available

Requirements: Standing for long periods, some heavy lifting, accuracy, customer service skills, friendliness, ability to follow directions, 16 years or older

Shelter

Volunteers are needed to heat up pre-prepared meals, serve dinner to Shelter clients, wash dishes and ensure the kitchen is left clean and ready for use the next day.

Volunteer Shifts: Monday through Sunday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Requirements: Standing for long periods, some lifting, communication skills, empathy, acceptance of people from all walks of life, ability to follow directions, criminal record check, 16 years or older

Emergency Response Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help with the Emergency Response Team in responding to various community emergency needs such as fire, flood, etc.  The job requires being able to respond quickly (during the night or day) to emergency/disaster situations.   It requires lifting supplies.   Volunteers must have his/her own vehicle and a valid driver’s license in order to go to the site where the emergency response team will be.

The Salvation Army will provide the required training for the volunteers.

Food Sorting Area

Volunteers are needed to carry and sort donated produce products in the food sorting area on Tuesdays.   Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and enjoy organizing items.

Volunteer Shifts: Tuesdays from  11am to 2pm.

Seasonal Opportunities

• Kettle Campaign
• Angel Tree
• Christmas hampers
• Santa Shuffle 5 km run/walk

Other Requirements

People who are interested in volunteering with the Centre of Hope need to submit a Volunteer application form, and sign a Confidentiality Statement and Waiver of Liability. Each prospective volunteer is interviewed for suitability before being assigned to a particular area, and given a tour of the different areas of the building. Supervisors are responsible for providing a thorough orientation and training for each new volunteer.

Please note that we require a criminal record check for all our volunteers. When there is a suitable vacancy, we will give you the instructions on how to get this done at no cost to you.