Want to give back? Here’s your guide to volunteer opportunities in Knox, Ashland & Richland counties

You don’t need to clear your calendar or commit to every Saturday for an opportunity to make a difference in north central Ohio.

Whether you have an afternoon, a few hours each week or a skill you’d like to share, organizations across Knox, Ashland and Richland counties welcome volunteers in a variety of roles.

From food pantries and animal shelters to youth programs and nonprofits, Knox, Ashland and Richland counties have organizations that rely on volunteers to keep their work moving.

Here’s a look at some local organizations where you can volunteer and connect with a cause that matters to you.

Volunteer in Knox County

SPI — Science Play-space Initiative

SPI volunteers can get involved with the organization’s play-based learning and enrichment programs for children and families. Opportunities can include helping with activities at the SPI Spot in downtown Mount Vernon, as well as summer camps, workshops and community outreach programs.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Educators, STEM enthusiasts, families and people interested in youth programming.

KiCKS Foundation

KiCKS Foundation volunteers can help with community programs and events that support children and families in Knox County.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in children, families and community events.

New Directions Domestic Abuse Shelter

New Directions volunteers can support the organization’s work through community events, fundraising and other activities that help raise awareness and support services for people affected by domestic violence. Some volunteer roles may require additional training.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in advocacy, survivor services and community support.

Community Roots

Community Roots offers hands-on opportunities in gardening, composting, seed sorting and community projects. Volunteers can also help set up and tear down the organization’s Saturday farmers market stand.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Gardeners, outdoor enthusiasts and people interested in food and sustainability.

Interchurch Social Services

Interchurch Social Services offers several volunteer roles through its thrift store and food pantry, including cashier, sorter, stocker and shopper positions. The organization provides training, making it an option for people looking for a regular volunteer position.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Food assistance and people who want a regular volunteer position.

Mount Vernon Arts Consortium

MVAC volunteers help make local arts and entertainment events happen by assisting with show load-in and load-out, box office work, sales, ushering and visitor interactions. Volunteers can serve at events at venues including Ariel-Foundation Park, the Knox Memorial and the Woodward Opera House.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Artists, arts supporters and people interested in local culture.

Knox County Historical Society

Volunteers can work with the Historical Society’s collections by researching, organizing and filing materials, or help create museum displays. Those interested in working directly with visitors can train to become museum docents and lead tours during open hours.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: History buffs, researchers and people interested in museums.

Food for the Hungry

Food for the Hungry volunteers can support the organization’s efforts to address food insecurity in Knox County through food-related programs and community efforts.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Food assistance and people interested in helping families facing food insecurity.

Repair Café

Repair Café is a quarterly community event where volunteers work to fix broken items brought in by local residents. The event welcomes people with a wide range of broken items for a chance to have them repaired.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People who enjoy fixing things, learning practical skills and helping reduce waste in the community.

Volunteer in Ashland County

Ashland County Dog Shelter

Volunteers at the Ashland County Dog Shelter can help by taking dogs for walks. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult at all times. People interested in volunteering can contact the shelter to learn more.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Animal lovers and people looking for hands-on volunteering.

ACTS 4 Love

ACTS 4 Love volunteers sew and craft comfort items for cancer patients, veterans, law enforcement officers and others facing medical challenges. Volunteers can attend sewing events in Ashland or complete many projects from home, making the organization an option for people who want a flexible opportunity.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Crafters, sewers and people looking for flexible volunteer opportunities.

Ashland County Park District

Volunteers can help maintain parks and trails, assist with hikes and children’s programs, work special events, monitor trails, remove invasive species and participate in park cleanup or construction projects. The district also has opportunities to help build or monitor bluebird boxes.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and people interested in local parks.

Dale-Roy Services

Dale-Roy Services supports people with developmental disabilities, and community members can contact the organization about opportunities to support its programs and the people it serves.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in disabilities, community inclusion and direct service.

Safe Haven

Safe Haven volunteers can help answer hotline calls, support survivors and advocate for victims in settings such as courts and hospitals. Other volunteers help with events, fundraising, awareness efforts and donation drives. Volunteer roles require training, a background check and other requirements.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in advocacy, survivor services and community support.

Salvation Army Kroc Center

Kroc Center volunteers can help with a variety of programs and community activities based on their interests and skills. Volunteers must be at least 16 and complete an application, background check, Child Safe training and orientation.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in helping families, children and people experiencing hardship.

Ashland Family YMCA

The Ashland Family YMCA offers volunteer positions in areas including youth programs, sports, classes, greeting and fundraising. The Y also recruits volunteers for youth sports, including coaching positions.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in children, recreation and community programs.

The Cat House Feline Sanctuary

Volunteers help with the sanctuary’s daily cat care, including cleaning litter boxes, feeding and watering cats, sweeping and mopping. Volunteers also socialize with the cats and help with general maintenance and organization, with opportunities available throughout the week.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Cat lovers and people interested in animal rescue.

Volunteer in Richland County

United Way of Richland County

Not sure where to start? United Way of Richland County connects volunteers with partner agencies through its Volunteer United program, offering opportunities throughout the year.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People who want to explore multiple volunteer opportunities.

Richland Outreach Center

Richland Outreach Center is entirely volunteer-driven, helping provide free community meals, operate the diaper pantry and support special events. Volunteers can also help with projects such as the organization’s Hero Project, which provides meals to local military personnel on major holidays.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in helping with food assistance, helping families and hands-on community service.

Richland County Library

Volunteers can support the library through the Friends of the Library, including helping at the volunteer-run Evergreen Bookshop. Volunteers also assist with special events, library programs and other projects.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Book lovers and people looking for quieter volunteer work.

Kingwood Center Gardens

Kingwood offers volunteer roles ranging from gardening and grounds work to greeting visitors, assisting with special events and helping in the office. Garden volunteers may weed, plant, mulch and deadhead flowers, while trained volunteers can serve as tour guides or Kingwood Hall hosts.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Gardeners, outdoor enthusiasts and people interested in plants and horticulture.

Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Volunteers can work directly with students in therapeutic riding classes as sidewalkers or trained horse leaders, or help in the barn with stall cleaning, watering, horse turnout and hay. Other opportunities include mowing, weeding and general grounds maintenance. Volunteers who work with students or horses must meet age and training requirements.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Animal lovers, people interested in disabilities and those who enjoy working with horses.

North End Community Improvement Collaborative

NECIC offers volunteer opportunities connected to its community improvement work, including projects involving its urban farm. Volunteers can get involved with hands-on efforts that support neighborhood development and community activities.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in neighborhood improvement and community development.

Matthew 25 Outreach Center

Matthew 25 volunteers help with free produce and grocery distribution events in the community. Volunteers can help during distribution days, with shifts beginning before the public distribution period.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People interested in addressing food insecurity, one-day volunteering and hands-on service.

Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring

Adult volunteers can become mentors to children ages 5 through 16, spending time together through activities such as playing sports, taking walks, playing games, reading or simply talking. Community-based mentors can meet with their mentees for as little as an hour a week, while the High School Bigs program connects students with younger children.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Adults who want to mentor children and teens and make a longer-term commitment.

Humane Society of Richland County

Animal lovers can volunteer with the Humane Society in roles that support the care and well-being of animals as well as events and fundraising efforts.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: Animal lovers and people looking for hands-on or event-based volunteering.

The New Store

Volunteers at The New Store can work directly with children during Dressing Days, helping them select clothing as a personal shopper. Behind the scenes, volunteers also sort and hang clothing, prepare items for Dressing Days and help with other tasks around the store.

🔎 Find volunteer opportunities here.

Good for: People who enjoy working with children and hands-on service.