Hot Projects: Week of April 1

Pajama Folding Party

Tuesday, April 2 From 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Glenwood Park)

Pajama Program promotes a caring and supportive bedtime by giving at-risk children the magical gifts of warm, new pajamas and an enchanting storybook, letting them fall asleep with hope in their hearts for tomorrow. For children who do not have a safe, loving home environment, and who often arrive at shelters with nothing of their own, these gifts are often the only new things they receive. Each Reading Party begins with circle time introductions and ends with our pajama presentation where each child receives a new pair of pajamas. Volunteer to fold pajamas that will be gifted to a Pajama Program child.

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Five Points Garden Volunteer Day

Saturday, April 6 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Downtown Atlanta)

Mayor’s Office of Resilience works to make Atlanta better prepared to physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. Join Five Points Garden for their monthly volunteer day on the 1st Saturday of every month! Help get dirt off the ground and plots setup before Earth Day! There is work being done with raised beds and prepping them for Spring. 

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Meeting And Orientation For Guest Assistant Role-food Distribution Ministry  

Wednesday, April 10 From 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Stone Mountain)

Community Connections of Atlanta's mission is to bring hope and help to low income families, individuals and the homeless in our community. One of the ways this is done is by providing the blessing of fresh produce, meats, food staples, warm meals and clothing opportunities weekly to hundreds of local residents from all walks of life. We have an extensive network of Volunteers and Community Partners providing resources and expertise to aid in meeting our clients’ basic needs, in order to help achieve stability and realize their potential while restoring hope for their future. Community Connections of Atlanta (CCATL) is offering a group meeting and orientation for those interested in the Guest Assistant volunteer role. Community Connections of Atlanta are in need of energetic volunteers to carry our disabled and elderly Community Member’s blessing boxes through our food distribution line and to their car. Meeting/Orientation is required before volunteer can join our team.

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Blacksville Project Cleanup Day

Saturday, April 13 From 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (McDonough)

HOPE Family Ministries aka Center for HOPE mission is train and equip individuals and families to respond to life challenges; through mentoring, skill building and social supports. Center for HOPE is hosting their first annual Blacksville Project cleanup day and making preparations for the Little Free Library & Community Garden. 

East Atlanta Easter Egg Hunt And Festival

Saturday, April 13 From 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (East Atlanta Village)

East Atlanta Kids Club (EAKC) is a non-profit neighborhood-based after school program working to build a promising future for the youth of southeast Atlanta. East Atlanta Kids Club would love to have you at this year's Easter Egg Hunt and Festival held at the Brownwood Park Recreation Center. Hundreds of plastic eggs will be hiding in Brownwood Park waiting for neighborhood children to come and find them!  The annual Easter Egg Hunt happens at 11am, and will be followed by real egg decorating, a spoon race and other activities in and outside of the rec center. Volunteers will be needed to hide several hundred plastic eggs and lead fun activities.  

Raising the Bar | These Baristas Serve More than Coffee

A little over a year ago the Atlanta Community Food Bank approached Hands On Atlanta, asking if we could help increase capacity at some of their affiliate food pantries by recruiting volunteers on their behalf. Specifically, the Food Bank wanted to provide more food to more people and hypothesized that if we were able to send more volunteers to their affiliates then their objective of feeding more people would be achieved.

We were eager to dive in and help, but with a lean team ourselves, we wondered how we could make this happen. Wouldn’t you know it, around the same time, Points of Light presented us with an incredible opportunity from Starbucks. We would apply to host a couple of their partners (Starbucks employees) who would help address one of the company’s social pillars: food insecurity. So, problem-solved! We jumped at the opportunity and applied for and got two outstanding Starbucks Service Fellows, Julie and Maya, to help us implement our partnership with the Food Bank.

Over the course of the Starbucks Service Fellows’ six-month term with us, Julie and Maya, managed 10 food pantries that were selected by the Food Bank. Specifically, the Starbucks Service Fellows providing one-on-one support to the food pantries including training on volunteer management best practices and our volunteer management software; helping them write volunteer role descriptions, and volunteering at their facilities. This was no easy task. The food pantries were very lean, grassroots organizations and many were being run by volunteers. For example, none of them had a formal system for tracking their volunteers; volunteers signed up using pen and paper. So Julie and Maya spent a significant amount of time teaching them how to use our volunteer software increasing the efficiencies and workflow at the food pantries.

“We’ve been able to double the number of volunteers thanks to Hands On Atlanta.”

— Margie Boone, CEO of the food pantry, Margie’s House

Change can be hard which meant that the food pantries needed encouragement and support. One of the most value skills the Starbucks Service Fellows brought to their role was their impeccable customer service. Julie and Maya were patient and always treated the food pantries with respect. As a result, they gained the food pantries trust. Not only did the Starbucks Service Fellows get the pantries to use our volunteer management software, but in just three months of posting their opportunities the food pantries recruited 143 volunteers who served a total 544 hours! Margie Boone, CEO of the food pantry, Margie’s House, stated, "We've been able to double the number of volunteers thanks to Hands On Atlanta."

With the support from Starbucks in their partners’ growth and civic engagement, as well as building capacity for nonprofits like ours, we were able to build upon the strong foundation with the Food Bank, one of our long time partners. We also were able to expand our service foot print into high-needs areas like Gwinnet and Clayton Counties, deepening the impact we’re able to have in the metro region.

Thank you to Starbucks and their incredible partners, Julie and Maya. Their fellowship ended in mid-February, however, they will always be a part of the Hands On Atlanta family. In fact, Julie has stayed on board volunteering with us two days a week to continue providing support to the food pantries - through June when the food pantries are eligible to renew their partnership with us. We’re definitely looking forward to the next phase of the Starbucks Service Fellowship program, hoping to grow from a grande to a venti!

Want to volunteer at one the food pantries?

Hot Projects: Week of March 25

Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5k

Saturday, April 6 From 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM (Buckhead)

The Atlanta BeltLine is sparking a fun culture of health, activity, and community in Atlanta. Now in its 8th year, the Atlanta BeltLine Run.Walk.Go! Race Series is the perfect chance to explore various trail segments and stay active. This event takes participants through Tanyard Creek Park and on new BetlLine connector trail on the Northside. Volunteer tasks include greeting participants, helping with set up, directing parking, registration, cheering & directing runners.

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Load/Unload Native Plants for Spring Plant Sale

Thursday April 4 From 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Stone Mountain)

We are looking for volunteers who enjoy being outdoors and getting a little dirty. Our spring plant sale is a wonderful way to meet experienced gardeners who understand and love native plants of Georgia. We need volunteers to help sort, pack and load plants at Stone Mountain, then travel to McFarlane Park in Marietta to help unload the plants at our sale site. It is a great opportunity to see plants not usually available at nurseries and learn ways that native plants attract wildlife, reduce the need to water and fertilize, and promote a balanced ecosystem.

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Open Hand Meal Packing

Various Weekdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Lindbergh)

Open Hand helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease through Comprehensive Nutrition Care, which combines home-delivered meals and nutrition education as a means to reinforce the connection between informed food choices and improved quality of life. Packing involves portioning food into individual containers and snack bags on our packing assembly line. With over 5,000 meals to package every day, your help is essential. This is a great project for individuals and families, and a great team-building exercise for school, business and church groups!

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Changing a Generation Mobile Food Pantry

Saturday, April 6 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Greenbriar)

Our mission is to provide services to those in need and programs that will lead to the enhancement and development of communities around Atlanta. It is our intent to carry out this mission in line with the philosophy of Matthew 25:34-40 Join us as we serve the community by serving approximately 400 families a week. Tasks for the drive through mobile food pantry will include; while working outside: set up tables, breakdown of deliveries into food groups, packaging of individual items, loading groceries as clients drive through, breaking down of boxes and assisting with clean-up.

Thrift Store Associate- Morrow

Saturday, April 6 From 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Morrow)

Through respecting the dignity of each person, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia brings hope and help to those in need so they may achieve stability and move toward self-sufficiency. The thrift store associate assists in the retail operation of the thrift store. Thrift store associates help process donations and assist customers. Primary Responsibilities: assist customers by accepting donations and issuing receipts, sorting and pricing/tagging donations to be placed on the sales floor, maintain the cleanliness and organization of the sales floor, create merchandise displays that attract customers and entice them to purchase items from the store, answer customers questions in regard to purchasing merchandise and donating merchandise Placed approved donations on the sales floor, work closely with clients who have vouchers to ensure they receive the correct amount of items stated on the voucher and stocking book shelves.

Hot Projects: Week of March 18

Meals 4 Kids Packing Event

Tuesday, March 26 From 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (Westside Atlanta)

Hands On Atlanta’s Meals 4 Kids program enables families to worry less about meals during extended school breaks, so they can spend limited resources on other necessities, and ensure that their children come to school equipped to learn. Hands On Atlanta volunteers assemble family meal boxes filled with nutritious foods that don't require refrigeration. Each family meal box contains nutritious, child-friendly, non-perishable items. Meals 4 Kids is offered to all families at the school. Volunteers will help pack bags for students at a local public school.

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Wetlands Restoration At The Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Saturday, April 13 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Buckhead)

Come out to the Blue Heron Nature Preserve to help with wetland habitat restoration by removing invasive plants. This work day is brought to you by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant. This work is crucial as it helps establish a biodiverse native habitat that can support many different species of animals and insects. 

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Fresh Thoughts And Fresh Foods At TLW

Thursday, March 28 From 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM (SW Atlanta)

Truly Living Well will need volunteers who are professional and have event hosting experience for their event, Fresh Thoughts and Fresh Foods. Meals will also be provided for this event. Volunteers are needed in two intervals. The first will be from 4pm - 6:30pm to assist with the setup of event. The second will be from 6pm - 9:30pm to assist with hosting and the closing and breakdown of event. 

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Hawk Hollow Weekday Volunteering

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 From 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Oakhurst)

The Wylde Center's mission is to cultivate vibrant greenspaces and inspire communities of environmental stewards. Hawk Hollow, their native plant restoration site offers many unique opportunities for digging in the dirt. Although it is hard to predict what will be done each work day, be prepared for hard work and getting a little dirty! 

Gardening With Friends Of English Avenue

Saturday, April 13 From 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (English Avenue)

Get your hands dirty in the Friends of English Avenue Urban Farm! Friends of English Avenue have been growing fresh produce in English Avenue for over ten years and are proud to supply produce to 25 families living in a federally recognized food desert. Volunteers will help plant, dig, weed, and welcome in the spring, all while supporting a good cause. Volunteers will be filling produce beds with soil, planting seedlings, watering, and weeding, mulching designated areas with wood chips, trimming and cutting overgrowth assembling and painting signage for plants.

Hands On Atlanta Awarded National Education Grant

Hands On Atlanta was awarded a competitive, national grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support Hands On Atlanta’s school-based AmeriCorps program

Hands On Atlanta is honored to announce that they have been awarded grant from the GA Commission for Service and Volunteerism (GCSV)  The GCSV receives funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Hands On Atlanta’s AmeriCorps program, which has been running for over 20 years, was one of only two Georgia organizations to receive the national, competitive funding from the CNCS.

At Hands On Atlanta, AmeriCorps members support the academic, social and emotional, and basic needs of economically-disadvantaged elementary and middle school students in City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, and Cobb County, Georgia through two main programs.

First, AmeriCorps members serve with teachers and instructional coaches to provide small-group literacy and math tutoring during school hours for grades K-8. Second, using accredited curricula, AmeriCorps members help students increase social skill development, with a focus on peer-to-peer relationships, and teach students how to manage emotions such as anger or frustration.

In addition to these two programs, many AmeriCorps members also support Hands On Atlanta’s weekend enrichment program, Discovery, in which students in grades K-5 receive mentoring, STEM training, and fitness/nutrition lessons every other Saturday morning.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the continued partnership with GCVS and CNCS. With the increased funding and national recognition, we are able to expand our program’s reach and impact across Atlanta. It is inspiring to see our nearly 40 AmeriCorps members serve at high-need schools, dedicating their time, talents, and passion to improve the educational landscape across the city. Because of this funding we were able to expand to additional districts and schools this year, ultimately reaching more children with engaging tutoring and social emotional learning support,” said Lindsey Baker, Director of Programs at Hands On Atlanta. 

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Volunteer alongside some of our AmeriCorps members at one of our Saturday, Discovery sessions and get to know more about their work!

Hot Projects: Week of March 11

Volunteer Orientation Program

Wednesday, March 13 From 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Grayson, GA)

Prior to serving alongside the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry volunteers are required to complete the Volunteer Orientation Program. Volunteers will be provided with information about the mission of Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, the people being served, the types of opportunities being provided, and the requirements and expectations for those serving with the ministry. 

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Docent Training

Wednesday, March 20 From 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Downtown)

The Center for Civil and Human Rights is seeking Docent volunteers to encourage and enhance the visitor experience. Docents are tasked with an experience of sharing educational content of The Centers exhibits. Docents interact with students as young as 8th grade to our seasoned visitors who may or may not have experienced such moments in history.

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March For Science Atlanta 2019

Saturday, March 23 Various Shifts 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Old Fourth Ward)

Science for Georgia needs science lovers who are interested in helping run the March for Science Atlanta 2019. Mobile and stationary volunteers are needed. Mobile volunteers are needed to set up, tear down, greet attendees, and marshal the attendees along the march route, as well as keeping water stations and porta-potties stocked. Stationary volunteer opportunities include, info booth, greeters, and stationary march marshals who will use walkie talkies or flags to signal information about the march progress. 

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Loridans Park – Day In The Dirt

Sunday, March 24, 2019 From 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Buckhead)

Volunteer day at Loridans Parkis approaching. This Day in the Dirt volunteer event provides an extraordinary opportunity to promote community involvement, encourage environmental Stewardship, while making an immediate and tangible impact on one of Buckhead’s newest parks. These volunteer events will include pruning, rooting out invasive species, cleaning up the park by collecting trash, etc. 

C3 Ministries’ Food Pantry Distribution

Thursday, March 28 Various Shifts 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM (Marietta, GA)

C3 ministries serves families in need so that they can become whole, independent and able to return to serve others. With the help of volunteers, C3 distributed over 471,508 pounds of foods this year. Volunteers are needed to help serve the community by restocking food shelves, preparing food boxes, and loading and expediting food boxes to expecting vehicles. Sign up now to impact the needs of families in the community.

Hot Projects: Week of March 4

Join Us For A Workday At The Peace Garden!

Saturday, March 9 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Belvedere Park)

The Belvedere Peace Community, home to the Healthy Harvest Youth, have been growing food and community since 2009! Belvedere has about 50 plots that are rented by community members and used to grow food to distribute to the community. Volunteers are needed to mulch paths, add compost, plant veggie and seeds, and other gardening tasks.  

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Furniture Bank Sorting & Kit Building

Saturday, March 9 From 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Adair Park- Atlanta)

The Furniture Bank, a 501(c)3, was founded in 1988 in response to the lack of furniture for families moving out of homeless shelters. Today, the Furniture Bank recycles gently-used furniture by collecting it from the community and giving it to individuals and families moving out of homelessness and fleeing domestic violence, as well as countless others struggling to make ends meet. Volunteers will help sort through our donations and make kitchen and bedding kits for our families. Kitchen kits provide our families with the essentials to prepare and eat a meal. Bedding kits are sheet sets that will accompany the mattresses our families receive.

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Discovery Delivery Driver

Fridays Through APR. 26: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Various Locations) 

Discovery occurs in Title I, public schools, with volunteers serving nearly 800 students two Saturdays per month throughout the school year. The average Discovery school is receiving 88% free and reduced lunch. Discovery also combats student hunger by providing breakfast snacks and lunch through the Georgia Food Bank Association’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. We’re looking for a Discovery Support volunteer to bring Discovery supply bins to schools prior to the sessions.

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The Women’s Community Kitchen & BINGO

Friday, March 15, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (MIDTOWN)

The Women’s Community Kitchen serves women and children, with an end-goal of creating a community of empowered women while combating food insecurity in the city of Atlanta. Volunteers will serve women meal of the day, monitor bingo, and hand out prizes.

Grace Community Food Pantry 

Thursday, March 28 From 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM (NW ATLANTA)

Grace Community Food Pantry’s mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in the Atlanta area. Volunteers are needed with organizing shipments.Volunteers will organize and unpack the food items and monitor quality before supplying the appropriate shelves with designated items. Volunteers will also break down boxes and take cardboard to the trash. Pantry volunteers for this opportunity will sort food items and stock the shelves of the Food Pantry. 

Hot Projects: Week of February 25

Proctor Creek Green Space Restoration: EccoAddendum & WAWA

Saturday, March 2 From 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM(NW Atlanta)

Show Grove Park/Proctor Creek some love with WAWA and Eco-A through our community-focused program that goes beyond volunteering. Don't have a green thumb? That's okay, we're here to guide you. Can't tell privet from kudzu? Not a problem, we'll teach you. Sign up below to start a new adventure in a place that's close to home.

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Morning- Project Grant March

Saturday, March 9 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Grant Park)

Project GRANT (Greenspace Restoration and Neighborhood Teamwork) convenes monthly in the park for morning (9am– 12pm) and afternoon (1pm-4pm) work sessions. Both sessions will tackle labor-intensive projects throughout the park including invasive plant removal, tree canopy care, trash pick up and more. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for one or both sessions, and these work days are great for small groups or those in need of community service hours.

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Doggie Dash & 5K Program - Piedmont Park Conservancy

Sunday, March 10 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Midtown)

Come cheer on our two and four-legged runners at Piedmont Park Conservancy's 5th Annual Doggie Dash & 5K!  Volunteers are needed to help with Registration/Check-In, Course Way-Finding, Cheer Stations, Water-Stations, and Clean-Up.

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Share A Story With A Child

Friday, March 15, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Glenwood Park)

At Pajama Program, we promote a comforting bedtime routine for children affected by instability to help them thrive. At the Atlanta Reading Center, our programming focuses on shared reading between a child and an adult volunteer. The shared reading experience is aimed to give children a sense of comfort and belonging, so that they feel better prepared for a good night’s rest.

Margie’s House Monthly Giveaway

Saturday, March 16 From 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Fairburn, GA)

Margie’s House mission is to bring food and assistance to the communities around South Fulton. Join us in our monthly food distribution! Volunteers will ensure the quality of the food, pack food in bags, break down the boxes in which the food was delivered, and more!