We offer flexible hours and time commitments, a variety of different volunteer roles, and a supportive and informative team environment.
We welcome and encourage applications from the Indigenous community, people with disabilities, racially visible community, women, queer community, and folks who contribute to the diversity of our community. BSM’s Volunteer Program is a model of choice and flexibility where volunteers can sign up to help based on their availability.
If you have time to help and are looking for volunteer work to fill your time, consider volunteering with us!
You can email your interest or questions to mission@brunswickstreetmission.org. We ask all volunteers to understand that the community we work with may be dealing with trauma which can affect they way they interact with others, and ask that you are patient and understanding.
Garden Worker (Urban Garden): 1 hour, twice per week
This Volunteer Position requires someone to:
- Plant seeds and seedlings for vegetables, herbs and flowers
- Water, mulch, tend, weed, and harvest
- Remove garbage and detritus (with adequate protection) from flower beds
- Engage with colleagues and peer organizations about the work of the Brunswick Street Urban Garden
- Care for the garden beds in general
- Additional tasks may be required.
This volunteer position is required once or twice per week for 1 hour. Hours flexible to your schedule.
Kitchen Assistant (Breakfast Program): 7:00am - 8:45am Monday to Friday
This volunteer position will support kitchen coordinator with:
- Cooking of breakfast, use of grills and toaster
- Washing dishes and cleaning kitchen
- Serving take-away meals to all guests
This volunteer position is required Monday to Friday between 7:00 am - 8:45 am (volunteer would pick up one day that works best for them each month).
Front Desk Navigator: 9:00am - 12:00pm AND / OR 12:00pm - 2:30pm Tuesday to Friday
- Acknowledge and welcome all clients, visitors, volunteers, and donors in a friendly and professional manner
- Keep front desk clean and tidy
- Prepare the floor with setting up the chairs, welcome sign, TV, tablet, phones and other supplies
- Answer all the clients’ questions and address their complaints
- Help clients fill out a form to request income tax filing
- Receive letters and mails and send them to the appropriate destination
- Check unhoused clients with laundry program and food bank
- Answering calls
This position is required Tuesday to Friday between 9:15 am - 2:30 pm for morning and / or afternoon shift. (Volunteer would pick up a day/time that works best for them each month). Shift is about 3 hours long.
Food Bank Registration Desk: 9:00am - 12:00pm AND / OR 12:00pm - 2:30pm Tuesday to Thursday
- Acknowledge and welcome clients into the foodbank in a friendly and professional manner
- Check client eligibility, ID, and complete new client paperwork and enter their visit - all done in Link2Feed database
- Complete a Household Points card, including any birthdays and dietary needs
- Introduce guest to the first available volunteer shopper or, if a volunteer shopper isn’t available, ask guest to return to their seat until an available shopper can call for them
- Help shopper volunteer and front desk volunteer when needed
This position is required Tuesday to Thursday between 9:15 am - 2:30 pm for morning and / or afternoon shift. (Volunteer would pick up a day/time that works best for them each month). Shift is about 3 hours long..
Shopper Assistant (Food Market): 9:00am - 12:00pm AND / OR 12:00pm - 2:30pm Tuesday to Thursday
The Shopping Assistant works directly with the clients while they shop. This person will:
- Engage the guest in conversation
- Support the guest to spend their points in each area of the Market
- Track any unused points
- Offer nutritional and menu suggestions
- Offer samples or tastings including recipes when available
- Be ready to share other programs that could add to a client’s overall support
- Make sure the completed household points card is returned to the Outreach mailbox so any notes can be added to the guest file
- Clean and tidy around the market when not shopping with guests
This position is required Tuesday to Thursday between 9:15 am - 2:30 pm for morning and / or afternoon shift. (Volunteer would pick up a day/time that works best for them each month). Shift is about 3 hours long.
Delivery Organizer: 9:15am - 1:00pm Monday
Feed Nova Scotia delivers food each Monday, this day the Market is not open to the public. This position:
- Organizes and stocks shelves that clients will be shopping from during distribution
- Lift some heavy food items such as boxes and bags
This volunteer position is required Monday between 9:15 am – 1:00 pm with half an hour lunch break.
Short Term or Group Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! At this time we are not looking for group volunteers.
We are always in need of financial support, so if you are able, please consider making a donation today.