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The Best Volunteer Opportunities In San Francisco

Special Olympics Torch Run © Eric Garcetti/Flickr
Special Olympics Torch Run © Eric Garcetti/Flickr
Photo of Samantha Simonich
Samantha Simonich
9 February 2017

The San Francisco Bay Area has a strong sense of community, and there are many different ways to get involved and give back.

St. Anthony Foundation

Canteen, American
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St. Anthony’s Foundation © Nancy Pelosi/Flickr
St. Anthony’s Foundation | © Nancy Pelosi/Flickr
Located in the Tenderloin, St. Anthony Foundation lifts the spirits of the neighborhood by serving hot meals daily and providing clothing to those in need. As a volunteer, you can assist by sorting clothing or serving food in the dining room and interacting with members of the community. The dining room is a warm, welcoming environment, and the opportunity to share a meal with and listen to the amazing stories of those around you is an unparalleled experience.
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San Francisco, California, USA

The Surfrider Foundation

The San Francisco chapter of the Surfrider Foundation raises awareness to protect beaches and the ocean from being polluted. Every first and third Sunday of the month, the foundation hosts beach cleanups at Ocean Beach, and every last Saturday of the month there is a cleanup at Baker Beach. No advanced registration is required to participate in the cleanups; just come with a positive attitude, and be ready to help in the effort to keep the local beaches beautiful.

Post129b | © NOAA Photo Library/Flickr

Outside Lands

Park
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Outside Lands © The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas/Flickr
Outside Lands | © The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas/Flickr
Volunteering at Outside Lands music festival is a great opportunity to get involved, especially for music lovers. Volunteering 12 hours of your time to the festival operations can get you a one-day general admission ticket. There are two ways to get involved: sign up as a general volunteer, with responsibilities ranging from handing out flyers to working with sponsors, or work with the Clean Vibes team and help divert thousands of pounds of waste from ending up in the landfill.
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San Francisco, California, USA

Project Open Hand

Bakery, American
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Through Project Open Hand, 2,500 meals are prepared and delivered each day around San Francisco. The organization delivers meals to the elderly and those combating illness and isolation. Volunteers have the opportunity to prepare meals, sort and package food items in the warehouse, deliver meals, and serve lunch to seniors on a weekly basis. There are also opportunities to work special events throughout the year.
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San Francisco, California, USA

Ronald McDonald House

School
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Ronald McDonald House Dinner © MarylandGov/Flickr
Ronald McDonald House Dinner | © MarylandGov/Flickr
Since it opened in 1989, the Ronald McDonald House has created a supportive, safe space for the families of critically ill children. The organization’s mission is to provide a home away from home for families as their children receive treatment at a nearby hospital. There are multiple volunteer options, including serving food at the monthly Parent Support Event or delivering refreshments and treats to families at their child’s side in the hospital through the Child’s Bedside Program.
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San Francisco, California, USA

Friends of the Urban Forest

Forest
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USF Students And Charlie With Lil Gem
USF Students And Charlie With Lil Gem | Friends of the Urban Forest/Flickr
In order to keep San Francisco beautiful and the air clean, Friends of the Urban Forest dedicate themselves to the upkeep of the city’s green infrastructure by planting and caring for the trees and gardens that line the streets. The organization and volunteers have planted over 50,000 trees in the city. Whether you volunteer for a single day or you become a regular contributor, FUF encourages you to get involved in planting and caring for the trees, facilitating community outreach, and advocating for the cause.
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1, 1007 General Kennedy Avenue, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94129, USA
+14155616890
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Special Olympics

Sports Center
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Special Olympics Torch Run © Eric Garcetti/Flickr
Special Olympics Torch Run | © Eric Garcetti/Flickr
The Special Olympics program has become one of the most successful sports organizations worldwide, providing many opportunities for volunteers. The organization allows children and adults with intellectual disabilities to engage in sporting events. Anyone 14 or older can become involved with coaching, managing games and events, fundraising, and much more. It is a great opportunity to give back to the community and make amazing new friends.
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San Francisco, California, USA
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