Volunteer Opportunities

NHCO depends on its volunteers to carry out our mission of "People Helping People." No matter what your interest, ability or availability, chances are good that we have a great volunteer opportunity waiting for you. To get involved, Linda Robins at 412-487-6316, option 2, x3215.

Both individuals and groups contribute to NHCO's vision of northern Allegheny County as a sharing community where no one is cold, hungry or alone.

GROUPS: Click here to learn about how you can get involved.

Volunteer Orientations are held monthly and rotate among NHCO's service sites (see the calendar). The one-hour session is appropriate for current and prospective volunteers and offers a nice overview of NHCO's services and volunteer opportunities.

Click here to see a list of all volunteers who logged more than 100 hours last year.

Current/Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities and Needs:

• Snow Shoveling for seniors - On an as needed basis - Great for families and teens.
• Runners for the NHCO Pittsburgh Marathon Team
• Employment Assessment Phone Interviewer - Volunteers are needed to contact past clients to help assess the effectiveness of NHCO's employment program.
• Receptionists - we especially need help at our Millvale location
• Open Your Heart to a Senior volunteer caregivers are needed to provide nonmedical assistance for older adults and those with physical disabilities; Free Rides for Seniors drivers and dispatchers are needed. 

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:

• Receptionist - Answer phones, direct calls and greet visitors. If you can't make a weekly commitment, we are always in need of substitutes to fill in when our "regulars" are out.
• Coaches - Volunteers help individuals find employment, secure affordable housing, learn computer skills and become financially literate.
• Administrative/clerical support - Includes making copies, sending faxes, filing, collating, helping with thank you letters
• Office Assistant in our Bellevue (North Boroughs) location any day but especially Mondays.
• Fundraising - If you have contacts in the community or with foundations, we'd appreciate your help!
• Data entry - Help us maintain accurate records. We are happy to train volunteers on various computer software.
• Food Pantry - organize and sort
• Sharing Projects - organize, sort and help with distribution
• School projects - Many high school seniors choose NHCO to benefit from their senior project. Food and sharing project drives are a popular choice.
• Attorney - Provide free legal advice through Ask the Attorney.
• Lead volunteers - Take on a leadership role with one of our sharing projects or special fundraising events (citrus sale, gift wrap, Salvation Army bells)
• NHCO Ambassadors- Help NHCO get the word out by serving as an Ambassador. Typical speaking engagements are for rotary clubs, school groups, small businesses, etc. Training will be provided. We also need help staffing informational booths.
• Open Your Heart to a Senior - Provide nonmedical assistance for the elderly. For more information and orientation dates, visit Open Your Heart to a Senior.
• Bus drivers and dispatchers for Free Rides for Seniors. Drivers should be between 25-70 and feel comfortable driving a large shuttle van. No special license is required to drive. Training is provided.
• Pick up and deliver food, furniture, other items. If you have a truck and are willing to be on our "call list" when we have large items to pick up or deliver, please let us know!
• Youth Volunteers - Visit our Youth Leadership page to learn about the unique ways youth can help, or contact Linda Robins at 412-487-6316, option 2, extension 3215.
• Community Auto Drivers - When a car is donated, we often need a volunteer to assist in picking it up from the donors home.
• Candid Camera - Volunteers with a passion for photgraphy are perfect to capture events, volunteers, and donations on camera.
• Utility Assistance and Dollar Energy Screening Volunteers - Assist families to ensure that there utilities stay on or get turned back on (Flexible Hours M-F)
• Seed Savers - We need volunteers with a green thumb to save their seeds to help us grow produce at our community garden! The cost for seeds can add up. Any seeds you can offer will be a great help!

Lead Volunteers We'd like to thank the following individuals for their outstanding dedication and commitment to NHCO's mission as lead volunteers:

• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry - Jill Herman
• North Boroughs Food Pantry - Barb Barcousky
• Souper Bowl - Rosemary Prager
• Back-to-School - Linda Murphy
• Winter Coats - Jo Stone
• Toy Shop - Karen Boujoukos
• Spring Share - Jean Muth
• Turkey on Every Table - Jean Kirk, Nancy French
• Family Savings Accounts - Marleen Kasbee
• Employment Coach Volunteers - Deborah Furda
• Thank You Notes - Renee Full
• Ask the Attorney - David Moran, Esq.
• Bellringing - Liz Edwards
• Gift wrap - Lead Volunteer Needed!
• Spring and fall appeals - Jean Muth, Tom Walsh, Tod Morrow
• Mini-Masters Miniature Golf Tournament - Althea Worthy
• Dessert Theatre - Lead Volunteer Needed!
• Interoffice Mail - Tod Morrow, Betty Lee Frankovich