Volunteer With Us

“We both really enjoy our time volunteering at Brunswick Street Mission. It’s always fun with lots of laughs. The team works so well together, both staff and volunteers.

The staff is always open to discussing new ideas, suggestions, and concerns with the common goal of making things better. As an added bonus we get good exercise, make new friends, and get  treats. We feel well supported and very much appreciated. We are all on the same page with helping folks and giving back to our community and that feels the best of all.”

-Janet, Volunteer Member

Thank you for your interest in volunteering! We love that you want to support our community with your time.

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 volunteer@brunswickstreetmission.org. We ask all volunteers to understand that the community we work with may be dealing with trauma which can affect they way the interact with others, and ask that you are patient and understanding.

Volunteer Interest Form

Francella, Breakfast Volunteer

    • Maintaining a Clean, tidy, organized and safe environment in the Café.

    • Contributing to joyful and welcoming atmosphere.

    • Assisting clients with their needs for tent and unhoused supplies.

    • Running up and downstairs to collect items such as clothes and shoes.

    • Helping clients navigate available services.

    • Engaging in creative tasks such as assisting with art projects, organizing games and managing the bookshelf.

    This volunteer position is required Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday, and between 9:15 am - noon. Volunteers are asked to sign their name for a day that works best for them each week). 

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

    This volunteer supports the process of takeout/ready-to-eat meals that we offer in the Food Bank.  

    • Washing dishes and cleaning kitchen.  

    • Help meal prep: peeling and cutting vegetables, cooking, cleaning, dishes, and packaging prepared foods.  

    This volunteer position is required Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.  (A Monthly sign-up sheet will be shared, and volunteers are asked to sign their name for a day that works best for them each week). 

  • 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.