Volunteer Opportunities From: United Way of the Midlands

Join Vital Connections of the Midlands' Garden Box Refresh Project in a fun, hands‑on initiative focused on cleaning out and revitalizing our gardening boxes to prepare them for new planting, learning activities, and seasonal growth. This project helps create a cleaner, safer, and more inviting outdoor environment for children, families, staff, and community members.

Join Vital Connections of the Midlands' Garden Box Refresh Project in a fun, hands‑on initiative focused on cleaning out and revitalizing our gardening boxes to prepare them for new planting, learning activities, and seasonal growth. This project helps create a cleaner, safer, and more inviting outdoor environment for children, families, staff, and community members.

We have multiple projects needed at Leaphart Place!

Leaphart is a 20-unit single occupancy apartment complex for youth who've aged out of foster care and are facing homelessness.

Our needs include:

We have extremely limited resources and would need volunteers to provide tools and supplies for this project (i.e. the pressure washer, landscaping equipment, materials, etc.)

Volunteers will be volunteering in the Food Pantry, Donation Center, and Mission Store!

Richland Library Friends and Foundation seeks to partner with (corporate, nonprofit, faith or other community groups) to sponsor used material drives for donation to the library.

Partners are asked to assemble donated books, CDs, and DVDs in good condition to help the Richland Library Friends and Foundation raise money to support innovative library programs and services. The donations will be used for resale at our book sales. Items not relevant to our sales will be donated to other organizations.

Key Responsibilities:

The Richland Library Friends and Foundation is the nonprofit arm of Richland Library, Richland County’s nationally recognized, award-winning library system. The Friends and Foundation supports the Library’s inclusive environment that battles inequity on multiple fronts—from literacy and workforce development to social services—because increasing access to tools for advancement helps our entire community thrive.

Support: A Richland Library Office of Philanthropy staff is available to provide support and answer questions for any group interested in assembling and gifting materials to the Richland Library Friends and Foundation.

Benefits: Gifts to the Friends and Foundation help fuel innovative programs and services not covered by Richland Library’s tax appropriation. Your support truly helps elevate the quality of life in our community.

*Shift hours can be set up with Katy Watkins for individual/group. 

Volunteers are encouraged to borrow our supplies (litter grabbers, safety vests, cloth gloves, trash and recycling bags) and to remove litter anywhere at their convenience alone or with friends, family, neighbors or co-workers.

We can provide a list of heavily littered areas if needed. Learn more and request supplies at https://keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org/?page_id=100.

We refer to this volunteer option as our "One Time Cleanup" program. Learn more and request supplies at https://keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org/?page_id=100.

**Shift times are dependent on your individual/group needs!

Hands of Service: Veterans Storage Project is a volunteer-driven initiative designed to enhance the living environment of resident veterans participating in our housing program. Through this project, volunteers will construct and install individual cubbies and covered storage cabinets that provide veterans with secure, designated space to store personal food, hygiene products, and other belongings.

Many residents live in shared environments where personal storage is limited. By creating structured, organized storage solutions, this project promotes dignity, independence, and accountability. Each unit will be built with durability and functionality in mind, ensuring long-term use and ease of maintenance.

Volunteers will assist with assembly and installation, directly contributing to improved daily living conditions for the veterans we serve. This initiative not only strengthens the physical space within our program but also reinforces a powerful message: our community stands beside those who have served.

*Shift hours are dependent upon individual/group!

Join Brookland Center for Community Economic Change team (Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center) in cleaning baseboards and trash pick-up inside & outside!

Dress Code: Casual clothes for cleaning work!

Join Harvest Hope Food Bank's initiative in sorting and packaging food for distribution to the community. Additional tasks may be assigned by the warehouse team when you arrive.

Please wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes.

Join the Salvation Army of the Midlands in their Paint the Parish initiative! 

Dress comfortably and all paint materials will be provided. 

Join the Good Samaritan Clinic in their thrifting initiatiive by sorting, pricing, and staging donated clothing and small household items for future sale in Lidia's Good Samaritan Thrift store. Sales of donated items will fund Good Samaritan Clinic - a free medical clinic with four neighborhood locations in the Midlands.

Join us in our homestore to sort, organize, and clean supplies!

The Clothing Bank uses group volunteers to sort clothing donations and rack suitable donations in our clothing bank store setting. All of our clothing is distributed free to clients.

Occasionally, we receive donated items that we cannot use. These are loaded on a trailer and sold for funds to benefit our services. Volunteer group members may occasionally help load items on the trailer.

*Shift ending times can be accommodated based on group/individual needs. 

Volunteers will landscape surrounding the Salvation Army of the Midlands Corps Office Building/Church.

Water will be provided! Volunteers may need to wear sunscreen.

Will get dirty!

Join Transitions Homeless Center to feed meals to our residents.  Transitions relies on the dedicated efforts of volunteers to serve meals to our clients every day of the year, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Each shift lasts just 1.5 hours. With each meal served, you will directly impact the lives of our clients

Parking: 2025 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. You will enter through the gate located at the corner of Calhoun and Main Streets.

Parking Information:

Upon arrival, please:

All personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided, including gloves, aprons, and hairnets. A baseball cap may be worn in place of a hairnet if preferred. Our kitchen staff will provide instructions and assign positions for each volunteer upon arrival.

Join the Indian Waters Council (Scouting America) in their Groundwork Guardians initiative!

Volunteers will conduct general landscaping duties, including planting and mulching to enhance soil health and appearance. Responsibilities include picking up and disposing of debris such as leaves and branches to maintain cleanliness and trimming trees and shrubs to promote healthy growth and remove hazards. This role requires working outdoors, using hand tools, and having the physical stamina for lifting and bending. Work gloves would be useful.

Join the Palmetto Trail team for a volunteer cleanup at the Weston Lake Trailhead along the Fort Jackson Passage of the Palmetto Trail! 

Volunteers will help clear litter, remove debris, and tidy up the trailhead area to keep this section of the Palmetto Trail safe, clean, and enjoyable for all visitors. This is a great opportunity to give back to the trail, meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and make a visible difference in one day! All cleanup supplies will be provided, just bring water, appropriate work clothes, and a snack.

Please contact cbarry@palmettoconservation.org for more information and directions. The coordinates for this trailhead are Latitude: 33.998756, Longitude: -80.818914 right after turning on Weston Lake Rd from Leesburg Rd. We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

Volunteers will assist with a full clean-out and organization of our storage shed. The goal is to declutter, create safe walkways, and establish an organized storage system for easy access to supplies.

Tasks will include:

We are especially in need of at least two volunteers with pickup trucks to help transport donation items to a local donation center.

Hit the road and make a difference! Grab a buddy and team up to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Richland County. It’s a simple way to brighten someone’s day and ensure they get a hot, nutritious meal.

Pick up your deliveries at Senior Resources' main office (2817 Millwood Ave.) between 10:30 and 11:45 a.m., then enjoy a rewarding route filled with smiles and gratitude! Please bring 2 coolers with you!

We need to know volunteers (with emails and phone numbers) one week prior to assign routes. Please email volunteer@seniorresourcesinc.org

Join the Indian Waters Council (Scouting America) in their Bright Outlook Initiative!

Bright outlook initiative volunteers will help with cleaning windows, glass surfaces, and outdoor areas. Tasks involve window washing with squeegees and other supplies, pressure washing sidewalks and buildings, and following safety guidelines. You'll work as part of a team, interact with community members, and contribute to a cleaner environment. This hands-on role is most helpful with enthusiasm, attention to detail, and a willingness to work outdoors and indoors.

Join Serve & Connect in their initiative to help beautify their community center's outside space!

Join Central SC Habitat for Humanity in construction activities (all training and safety provided)!

Helping beautify HNM campus both inside and out. Deep cleaning campus buildings, washing the afterschool pickup van, and light landscaping work.

Join us at Senior Resources' main office for a morning of teamwork and giving back! Help us pack nutritious meals for local seniors who rely on Meals on Wheels. It’s fast-paced, fun, and a great way to make a big impact in just 60 minutes. Grab a friend, roll up your sleeves, and start your day with a little kindness!

We need to know volunteers (with emails and phone numbers) at least one week prior to the project. Please email volunteer@seniorresourcesinc.org

Join Indian Waters Council (Scouting America) in their Mission: Organization initiative. 

An office organizing shift focuses on maintaining a clean, structured, and efficient workspace to enhance productivity. Volunteers will help with decluttering common areas, organizing office supplies, filing documents, labeling storage spaces, shredding, and ensuring all equipment is in its designated place. This shift may also involve restocking essentials, managing paperwork disposal, and assisting in setting up workstations. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills would be helpful.

Join us on April 23th to pack essential supplies that support our four pillars - Youth Opportunity, Community Resiliency, Healthy Community, and Financial Stability! 

Help Sistercare in yard work tasks such as cleaning flower beds, trimming shrubs, helping to keep their space looking beautiful for clients & donors who visit.

Help us set up for the Pillar Packing Party in the United Way Parking lot! 

Join Home Works of America Join Home Works as a compassionate construction volunteer to serve a homeowner through an exterior painting effort. The volunteer shift will entail mainly ladder-based painting on portions of the outside of Ms. R's home in Columbia. Volunteers do not need previous repair or construction experience, and Home Works provides all tools and materials needed for this painting project. Please wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Join the Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services Team for Cupcakes & Community, a volunteer-led baking class designed to bring joy, connection, and creativity to teens at the shelter. Volunteers will help guide teens through fun, hands-on baking sessions from mixing batter to decorating cupcakes while also fostering a positive and supportive space for self-expression and learning.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

No professional baking experience needed just bring your energy, patience, and a love for helping others!

Dress Code: United Way T-shirt + jeans + comfortable shoes 

Shine for Shelter Car Wash, a fun and meaningful community event where volunteers will work side by side with Rapid Shelter Columbia residents to support our mission. Together, we’ll wash cars, connect with neighbors, and raise funds that go directly to services for individuals experiencing homelessness. All proceeds from the car wash will benefit direct client services at Rapid Shelter Columbia.

By participating in Shine for Shelter, volunteers and residents collaborate to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness while strengthening community connections. Come help us brighten cars and lives!

Join the Boys & Girls Club of the Crescent Region in helping to bring Education Day to life by supporting event setup, assisting staff with early competition rounds (Spelling Bee, Math Bee, Trivia, Science), tallying scores, and guiding participants and families to the correct rooms.

Volunteers will also help run activity stations for members waiting between rounds—such as board games, coloring, building stations, jumbo games, and Bingo—serve as judges for public speaking events, assist with registration, welcome packets, and awards, and help with cleanup and breakdown. It’s a high-energy, fun-filled day focused on celebrating our members and their achievements!