Looking for volunteer opportunities in Orange County? Local nonprofits, food banks, animal shelters, environmental organizations, hospitals and community programs need volunteers throughout the year. Opportunities range from one-day beach cleanups and food distribution events to ongoing mentoring and animal-care programs, with options for adults, teens, kids, families and groups.
Volunteer requirements change frequently. Check each organization’s current age requirements, application process, training requirements and available shifts before signing up.
Find Volunteer Opportunities by Cause
- Animals
- Food Insecurity
- Seniors
- Military & Veterans
- Environment & Beach Cleanups
- Mentoring & Education
- Hospitals & Families
- Housing & Community
- Teens & Kids
- Groups & Corporate Teams
Quick Volunteer Guide
| Organization | Cause | Current Age Guidance | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Food insecurity | 7+ at farms; 13+ distribution center; under 16 with chaperone | Kids, teens, adults, groups |
| OC Animal Care | Animals | 18+ for onsite volunteering; under 18 can complete community service projects | Adults, youth service projects |
| OC Parks | Environment | Varies by opportunity | Outdoor volunteers |
| Meals on Wheels OC | Seniors | Varies by role | Adults, recurring service |
| Ronald McDonald House Orange County | Families | Varies by program; group opportunities may allow teens with supervision | Individuals, families, groups |
| Habitat for Humanity of Orange County | Housing | Varies by project | Individuals, groups |
Animal Volunteer Opportunities
WAGS Westminster
6621 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster
714-887-6156
Animal shelters all over the county need volunteers for everything from fostering pets to walking dogs. WAGS Westminster is one of those locations that needs help, and they have a variety of opportunities that are available for adults, families, and even minors.
Volunteer opportunities include transporting animals to educational and elder settings for outings, bottle-feeding babies, dog walking and training, construction projects, fostering, and more. Those under 18 can help out with cleaning, rabbit care and play, creating home adoption kits, and playing with cats.
More Opportunities to Volunteer With Animals
OC Animal Care: Volunteer opportunities include socializing and grooming animals, hosting donation drives, leading shelter tours, and participating in shelter and community events. Opportunities are available for adults. For those under 18, OC Animal Care has a list of community service projects that can be completed to help the animals.
Orange County Humane Society: Volunteer opportunities include cat cuddling, walking dogs, participating in charity events, and help with fundraising. Opportunities are available for those 18 and up with current health insurance and they ask that you commit to 8 hours per month.
Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach: TRCHB is equal parts working with horses and working with people. The primary goal of TRCHB is to empower people with physical and developmental challenges to discover and gain self-confidence, strength, and self-reliance through developing a relationship with horses. The therapeutic riding programs they offer are very low cost for their students, so the organization relies on the help of donations and volunteers. As a volunteer, you will help support riders during their therapeutic riding sessions.
Food Bank & Hunger Volunteer Opportunities
Second Harvest Food Bank
8014 Marine Way, Irvine
949-653-2900
Second Harvest Food Bank offers several ways to volunteer. The Distribution Center accepts volunteers age 13 and older, while Harvest Solutions Farm and Founders Farm offer outdoor opportunities for volunteers as young as 7. Volunteers under 16 must participate with a chaperone. Age requirements and available shifts should be confirmed when registering.
Farm volunteers help with seasonal planting and harvesting, while Distribution Center volunteers help prepare food for distribution throughout Orange County. Opportunities are available for individuals and groups.
More Opportunities To Help With Food Distribution
Food Finders: Food Finders focuses on reducing food waste and distributing it to those in need. Volunteers can download the app and choose from the available food rescues to pick up donations and deliver them to a designated site.
Friendly Center: Volunteers aged 14 and up can help distribute food on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. They also need help with administrative tasks, holiday events, and after-school tutoring.
Laguna Food Pantry: Serving over 800 families each week, volunteer opportunities here include picking up groceries, sorting and stocking shelves, greeting guests, administrative tasks, and fundraising. Volunteers ages 14-17 are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult.
OC Food Bank (Community Action Partnership of Orange County): Volunteers at the OC food bank help assemble food boxes for seniors and kids. There are also opportunities to deliver food via the Mobile Food Trolley, get dirty by working at The Giving Farm at Westminster High School, distribute food at a community drive-thru, and more.
Saddleback Church Grocery Distributions: Saddleback Church has grocery distribution programs at locations throughout Orange County. They also host Grocery Pop-Ups at schools and other locations to serve those in the community. Volunteers are needed for grocery distribution, sorting and packing food at the warehouse, driving for food rescues, and picking up and delivering pantry items. Volunteers as young as 8 are encouraged to help in the Warehouse. Those 8-12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
South County Outreach: Volunteer opportunities include sorting and stocking food, picking up donations, working the thrift store, office support, driving a truck, hosting a food drive, participating in seasonal events, and more.
*Note that many churches also have food distribution programs and they often need volunteers and donations to help the food insecure in the immediate community.
Senior Volunteer Opportunities
Senior Citizen Assistance Programs
Huntington Beach seeks volunteers to help provide assistance to senior citizens. Most communities have a senior outreach program so check the website for your city of choice to find out how to volunteer. Huntington Beach needs volunteers to deliver meals to seniors in their homes, provide transportation, serve hot lunches to seniors at the community center, and provide friendly visits to those in need. While many seniors spend their days alone, this is a great opportunity to provide much needed human interaction for people who are lonely and unable to get out and socialize.
*Many cities in Orange County have senior assistance programs that can be found on the official city website.
More Ways To Volunteer With Seniors
Council On Aging Southern California: Volunteer opportunities include visiting homebound seniors, assisting with Medicare and health care, being an advocate for long term care facility residents, and connecting with seniors during the holiday season.
Meals On Wheels: Volunteer opportunities include delivering meals to homebound seniors, senior lunch service and activities, friendly visitors, helping with activities at adult day care centers, and office and administration assistance.
Military & Veteran Volunteer Opportunities
Operation Help A Hero: This organization has been supporting Camp Pendleton military members and families since 2001 and have since extended support to military communities across the nation. Volunteers here can help with a number of projects like Operation Christmas Spirit, Operation Rack Pack, OHH Baby Showers, and Operation Enduring Support.
San Clemente Military Family Outreach: Volunteers can provide support and assistance to military members and families stationed at the northwest area of Camp Pendleton by participating in several morale events including distributing Easter Baskets, hosting baby showers for expecting mothers and social teas for military wives, assisting with the Christmas “Thank A Family” program, and distributing over 1,000 turkeys and Thanksgiving Meals.
USO: Opportunities are available with the USO through John Wayne Airport and Camp Pendleton. Opportunities include working shifts at USO centers and providing support for events, homecomings and deployments, on-base activities, and holiday celebrations.
*Many cities in Orange County have adopted military units to which they regularly provide support including Mission Viejo, Irvine, Anaheim, and Rancho Santa Margarita.
Environmental & Beach Cleanup Volunteer Opportunities
OC Parks & Zoo
Orange County Parks and Zoos always need people to help out. Parks need volunteers to help restore trails, provide education to visitors, help out in the nature centers, and serve as additional staff during high traffic times. At the zoo, volunteers can provide guided tours, help prepare food for the animals, and assist with other zoo activities. Volunteering at community parks and zoos is a great way to help educate and inform other people in the community.
More Ways To Get Outdoors and Help the Environment
Bolsa Chica Conservancy: Volunteer opportunities include one-time events and long-term commitments. Participate in wetland restoration days, clean up via kayak, become a host at the interpretive center, be a site monitor, and more. Volunteers as young as 6 are welcome to participate in restoration days.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy: Volunteer opportunities include trail maintenance, working in the Native Seed Farm, pulling weeds, and more, all within Irvine Ranch Open Space. Opportunities range from one-time to long-term.
Laguna Canyon Foundation: Short term opportunities include trail maintenance and habitat restoration, and working in the nursery with native plants. Long-term certified volunteers will have access to additional opportunities.
Newport Bay Conservancy: Conduct tours, participate in hands-on restoration, and take the lead with coastal cleanups when you volunteer here.
Orange County Coastkeeper: Volunteer to clean up the coast to protect our environment and the natural habitats of our wildlife both on and offshore. In addition to beach cleanups, you can find garden opportunities, creek cleanups, and more.
Sea & Sage Audubon Society: Find a selection of environmental volunteer opportunities at various locations throughout Orange County. Opportunities may vary.
Mentoring, Education & Community Volunteer Opportunities
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County is in need of volunteers who are interested in mentoring children to help them make meaningful connections and reach their fullest potential. Mentors spend a few hours a day twice per month with their match doing meaningful activities.
Library Volunteers
Local libraries always need volunteers. Teens are especially welcomed as volunteers for libraries, providing help with story times, crafts, and other youth programs and providing much needed help by sorting and shelving books. Literacy programs and outreach for arts and culture is a great way to spend time volunteering in the community.
Habitat For Humanity
714-434-6200
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County offers volunteer opportunities connected with housing and community projects. Depending on current needs, volunteers may assist with construction, home-related projects, events or other organizational support. Opportunities and age requirements vary by project, with options for both individuals and groups.
CHOC Children’s Hospital
Volunteers at CHOC Children’s Hospital will make a difference in the lives of sick children and their families. Volunteer opportunities at CHOC include clerical support, providing activities like coloring and reading to patients in waiting areas, assisting in play rooms, showing families around the hospital and more. Volunteers at CHOC Children’s Hospital help to brighten the day of sick or injured children and their families.
Ronald McDonald House Orange County
Ronald McDonald House Orange County supports families while children receive medical treatment. Ongoing individual volunteer roles require a regular commitment, but the organization also offers group and project-based ways to help, including meal programs, collection drives and other service projects. Age requirements and commitments vary by program, so check current opportunities before applying.
United Way Orange County
The United Way fights for financial stability, quality education, stable housing, and good health for everyone. Volunteers for the United Way can help in a variety of ways. Teens can help out by leading youth summer camps and providing tutoring to younger kids. Other opportunities like distributing food, volunteering at shelters, collecting bedding and clothing, mentoring children, and creating welcome home baskets are some of the many ways you can lend a hand with the United Way. The United Way is a great opportunity to help families find stability and learn more about the steps they can take for a brighter future.
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens & Kids in Orange County
Several Orange County organizations offer age-appropriate ways for younger volunteers to help. Second Harvest currently allows volunteers as young as 7 at its farms with required adult supervision for younger participants, while OC Animal Care offers community service projects for people under 18 rather than regular onsite volunteer roles. Libraries, environmental organizations and seasonal community projects may also offer youth opportunities. Always verify the current minimum age and supervision requirements before registering.
Group & Corporate Volunteer Opportunities
Groups, families, school organizations and workplace teams can find projects through food banks, environmental organizations, Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House Orange County. Group projects may include food sorting, farm work, habitat restoration, meal programs, donation drives and special events. Contact the organization before planning a large group outing because capacity and advance-registration requirements vary.
Where to Find More Orange County Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer availability changes throughout the year. Visit OC Nonprofit Central to discover additional local nonprofits, and check individual nonprofit, city and county websites for current projects, orientations and volunteer applications.
For environmental projects, see our California Coastal Cleanup Day guide. For seasonal opportunities, see our Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities and Christmas Donation & Volunteer Ideas.
For more volunteer opportunities see our Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities and Christmas Donation & Volunteer Ideas pages.