Teaching kids to give back to their community from an early age is a crucial step in fostering empathy and compassion! Whether you’re looking for places to volunteer in Wichita for fun as a family or to meet their community service hours, we’ve got lots of options!
Where Kids Can Volunteer in Wichita or Complete Community Service Hours
Kansas Food Bank
Kansas Food Bank provides hunger-relief throughout an 85-county service area. They partner with food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across Kansas. Opportunities such as sorting food products, packing weekend carriers with kid-friendly food, answering phones and delivering meals are some of the ways volunteers can make a difference. Supervised children aged 8+ may be allowed to volunteer in the Wichita facility.
ICT Farms
This non-profit utilizes volunteers to help care for community gardens! Plant seeds, water, weed, and harvest – perfect for kids who love to be outside & want to learn more about growing their own food. Weekly ooportunities are posted on Facebook.
The Lord’s Diner
The Lord’s Diner exists to combat hunger in the community. The Diner’s mission is to serve a nutritious meal with dignity and respect to anyone who is hungry. An evening meal is served 365 days a year by a small paid staff, assisted by more than 6,000 volunteers. The Lord’s Diner is currently serving an average of 2,500 meals nightly at two dining facilities (one in downtown Wichita, and one in south Wichita) and two food trucks (one in northwest Wichita, and one in southeast Wichita), to any guest who needs a nutritious meal – 60 percent of which are families. Volunteers will need to call the Lord’s Diner to check available volunteers positions, obtain a food handlers card and attend a training session. Minimum age is 12.
Kansas Children’s Service League
The Kansas Children’s Service League is statewide not-for-profit agency that provides a continuum of programs and services, advocating for children, and collaborating with other public and private agencies for increased effectiveness, efficiency and quality. Opportunities exist for teenagers and adults to volunteer with a wide variety of tasks such as painting buildings, child care and cooking and baking.
His Helping Hands
This ministry of Central Christian Church distributes food, clothing, furniture and other household items to people in the Wichita community. His Helping Hands focuses on providing assistance to victims of natural disasters, families living below the poverty line, or those families considered to be “at risk.” Service opportunities and volunteer applications for adults and minors are available via their website.
Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita supports and provides programs that relate to the well-being of children. The houses provide safe, temporary housing and support for sick children and their families. Volunteer opportunities exist for Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald House Family Room (located in Wesley Medical Center), baking and meal volunteers and more.
Kansas Humane Society
The Kansas Humane Society takes in nearly 16,000 animals every year and relies on community support to fulfill many of the services and programs. Children as young as 9 can volunteer in Wichita, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. All volunteers, including parent/child teams, must fill out a volunteer application via the KHS website and complete the training sessions. Tasks could range from socializing /playing with animals and grooming to helping with laundry and dishes!
Wichita Children’s Home
This emergency, temporary residential shelter for children keeps thousands of children safe each year with the help of volunteers. Volunteers assist in meeting the needs of the children and providing a nurturing environment. Volunteers must be 21 years old and may be asked to cook a meal, supply warm clothing or a variety of other tasks. A list of their current needs is available online; my preschooler loves being involved by helping me shop for items on the list!
Youth Volunteer Corps
YVC projects engage teams of 8-10 youth ages 11-18 who volunteer their time to help local nonprofits and learning more about real issues in their communities. A trained and screened adult staff member supervises youth, leads them in icebreakers and team building activities, and facilitates meaningful reflection. Click here to see upcoming opportunities in Wichita!
