Volunteering
The Emergency Shelter attributes much of its success to its generous volunteers. You can become one of our valued volunteers by sharing your time and talent.
All volunteers must fill out a volunteer packet. Once all of your forms are submitted, you will be contacted if your interests and availability meet our current needs. You will then be invited to an orientation held at the Shelter where you will have an opportunity to get more information about volunteering and ask questions. Generally, orientations are held the first Saturday of the month. Following orientation, you will be given additional training in your particular area.
Volunteer forms that you can print off and fill out can be accessed by clicking on the links below. Return to Jennifer Dieter, fund development and volunteer coordinator, by dropping off at the Shelter or by mail to PO Box 341, Appleton, WI 54912-0341. It is most useful if the applicant provides current email addresses where requested.
The application in its entirety MUST be completed to be considered for volunteer service at the Emergency Shelter:
Volunteer Application Forms
Please contact Jennifer Dieter, jenniferdieter@esfv.org (920-734-9603) for further details or information on any of the below opportunities.
The Emergency Shelter is currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:
Office Assistance
- Volunteers are needed to assist case managers and other staff members with data entry, filing, copying, etc.
Fundraising/Donations
- Assist by working or helping to coordinate fundraisers such as the Human Race (May), Garden Walk (July) and/or Benefit Gala (November).
- Assist with collections such as Help for the Homeless (March) and Holiday Giving Trees (November/December).
- Organize a food, hygiene or goods drive for the shelter at work, among friends, neighborhood, school, sports team or religious affiliate.
- Other ideas most welcome!
Community Service
Service projects from groups, troops, schools and organizations are welcome. Most successful programs include an 'off-site' component (such as a drive, fundraiser or educational program). When the items or funds are brought in for donation, the participants can then tour the Shelter. If the event is in the evening, it is also possible to assist in snack preparation and service (7-8 pm).
Examples of fundraisers or drives include:
- Shoe gift card drive (for local shoe stores)
- Greeting card drive (blank cards, to include postage)
- Suds drive (soaps of all kind!)
- Wrap drive (aluminium, plastic wrap, baggies)
- Penny drive
- Cookie or brownie dough drive
- Walking in the Human Race
- Plant Sale
- Mega garage sale
- Car washes
- Other ideas most welcome!
Kitchen/Food Related
Serve breakfast to residents on a weekend:
- 7am-8am Make food/preparation
- 8am-9am Serve breakfast
- 9am-10am Clean up
- Breakfast groups will purchase food and bring to shelter to serve. Breakfast menus can range from eggs and meat (ex. sausage/bacon/ham) to additional items such as cereal, fruit, pastries, or trail/granola mix.
Baking (in shelter or at home)
- Bake deserts/pastries/cookies/casseroles/etc. Please label each package with food item name and date made.
Cooking (in shelter or at home)
- Ideas: Casseroles, chili, sloppy joes, ham, turkey, etc. We will use these foods to either serve at dinner or freeze and serve at a later time. Please label each package with food item name and date made.
Snack Preparation/Serve to Residents (Weekends ONLY)
- 7pm-8pm Set up/Make snack.
- 8pm-9pm Serve snack and clean up.
- Ideas: Nachos, sundaes, bake fresh cookies, popcorn, caramel corn, fruit trays, cheese/meat platter, caramel apples.
- Donation of food is always optional.
View the Kitchen Operation Manual
Displays/Volunteer Fairs
Individuals are needed to man our display booth at local agency and volunteer fairs.
