Where to Volunteer with Kids in Asheville

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community. When kids engage in volunteer activities, they cultivate a greater sense of compassion and understanding for different life situations. Most importantly, volunteering fosters a sense of responsibility in being part of the solution and actively creating the community they want to live in. 

Volunteering also teaches kids the dynamics of teamwork, communication, and problem-solving and broadens their worldview. It teaches them to appreciate the differences and similarities among people and can help them discover their passions and interests. 

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to volunteer with kids in Asheville. Two great resources for seasonal and long-term volunteer opportunities are Hands On Asheville (the volunteer platform of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County) and VolunteerMatch. 

Have fun being the change you want to see in the world!

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1. Booth Fairy Project

The Booth Fairy Project “is a mobile happiness delivery service” led by Elle Erickson, a beautiful Asheville fairy making a positive change through small acts of kindness and pop-ups of joy. She brings people together to create a kinder world by hanging positive signs, giving free hugs, picking up trash, giving bad, unsolicited advice (who isn’t great at that?), and visiting nursing homes.

I’m sure you have seen those colorful signs around town reminding us how lovable and unique we are. “Be Kind,” “This is a Positive Sign,” “Love is the Answer,” and “You Are Loved” are some of the messages delivered by the Booth Fairy Project and her crew of neighbors. 

You can also find the fairy at vintage pop-up markets throughout the year or hire her for private events. You can get involved by volunteering, donating, sponsoring a mural or billboard, or becoming a Bliss Ambassador. Joy is one of the few things that increases when we share it; the more we give, the more we get! So put your best smile on and spread your unique, beautiful magic!

2. Animal Haven of Asheville

The ten-acre Animal Haven of Asheville sanctuary in East Asheville is home to lost, abandoned, and abused farm animals, dogs, and cats. It has provided shelter and care for the past 22 years and is 100 percent run by volunteers and private funding.

They provide shelter, veterinary care, and rehabilitation for life or until the animals get adopted. It’s a special place for you and your kids to give your energy and time. They currently have 84 animals, and you can help with cleaning the barns, feeding and watering the animals, and hauling hay bales. 

You can develop a relationship with the animals and treat them with love and respect, something they haven’t experienced before. There is a 1500-square-foot thrift store selling clothing, furniture, electronics, home goods, tools, toys, and more. Volunteers are needed for that, too, and for organizing special fundraising events.

3. Peace Garden and Market

“Located in the Burton Street Community of West Asheville, we are an eclectic collection of gardens, art, and people…a place to find plants, produce, Black history, inspiration, and deeper connection.” If that doesn’t sound exciting, I don’t know what it does!

Husband and wife DeWayne “B Love” Barton and Safi Martin started the Peace Garden and Market in 2003 as a way to heal and process the recurring trauma of the war on drugs. Their families have lived in the historically Burton Street African American community for four generations. DeWayne is also the founder of the award-winning Hood Tours.

This is a beautiful community to be part of; you’ll love the grounds and the people, and the kids will be part of something very special. There are several ways to get involved, from gardening and helping with the free market to lending your expertise by teaching a class or sharing your skills.

4. Babies Need Bottoms

Did you know that nearly 1 in 2 families nationwide struggle to afford enough diapers? Babies Need Bottoms’ mission is “to improve the lives of babies, toddlers, and parents in Western North Carolina through diaper distribution, community awareness, and partnerships.” They distribute 42,000 diapers and serve 2,000 babies monthly!

Founded by two young moms (now co-executive Directors), this awesome organization partners with over 50 community-based organizations in Western North Carolina that distribute diapers within their community. But they need help organizing donations and getting those diapers and diapering supplies ready to send away.

Some of their opportunities include at-home and in-person diaper wrapping, delivery truck unloading, hosting diaper drives, and serving as a board member. They welcome kids and youth (an adult must accompany a child under 12). 

5. Downtown Welcome Table

The Downtown Welcome Table at the Haywood Street Congregation is a place of inclusivity and warmth. Volunteering there for a couple of years was a journey filled with joy and life-changing moments. The motto, “Connection above everything else,” is genuinely lived out as meals are served and shared over cloth napkins, tables adorned with flowers and candles, and beautiful pottery by East Fork. 

It’s a place where everyone, regardless of their background, is welcome to sit down and share a meal. You can volunteer (they call their volunteers “companions”) by cooking and meal prepping, serving tables, cleaning after meals, or gardening. 

Kids are always welcome, and their presence brings so much joy! The ultimate purpose of this experience is  to connect with others in a space where “people who might not otherwise come to know each other develop a friendship over a shared meal.”

My kids enjoyed getting to know people from all walks of life and sharing joy and food with everyone. Our volunteer experiences were always followed by hours of conversation. They have special volunteer opportunities during the holidays, including cooking Miss Mary’s Meatloaf for Thanksgiving, a fantastic and yummy fundraising endeavor.

6. Manna Food Bank

Manna Food Bank is part of Feeding America, the largest hunger relief organization in the country. Locally, Mannaworks works to end food insecurity in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary, linking the food industry to over 200 partner pantries and other human service organizations to get food to thousands of tables.

They need volunteers to sort and pack the food donations distributed around those 16 counties. Volunteers also gather to help with special events and projects like Farmers Market Ambassadors, the National Letter Carriers Food Drive, and the Ingles Giving Tree. 

Volunteers younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone (aged 18 or older). Volunteers between the ages of 16 and 18 may volunteer without an adult but must present Manna with a release signed by their guardian. Please keep in mind that although Manna experiences a higher rate of volunteer interest during the holiday season, there is a greater need for volunteers in January and February.

7. 12 Baskets Café

12 Baskets Café is “a gathering space for people from all walks of life – those experiencing physical hunger, those seeking a sense of belonging, and those eager to contribute.” They offer sit-down meals on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and groceries to take home for free. They offer companionship and a fantastic community to be part of. I’m registered for their volunteer orientation meeting and can’t wait!

The café’s operations are fueled by the generous donations of high-quality food from local businesses and the food service industry. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference. Whether it’s working in the garden, helping at the café, picking up food donations, or doing community outreach, your efforts will be meaningful. The presence of your little ones can bring so much joy to others, that might be the only thing you need to do! Make sure to go for a meal!

8. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Did you know that kids reading books before kindergarten are exposed to 300 million more words than kids not read to? Little ones must be exposed to books before they reach kindergarten in order for them to succeed academically. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is an awesome program that mails a free, age-appropriate book every month to every registered child in the US, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland. 

Growing up, Miss Dolly saw how many of her neighbors and her father didn’t know how to read, so when she became famous and rich, she created the Imagination Library, one of her most significant accomplishments (and she’s had so many!). Kids receive a total of 60 books; in North Carolina, those books can be bilingual in English/Spanish!

Literacy Together manages the Imagination Library in Buncombe County, mailing over 5,500 books a month. The program is rapidly expanding, and they need volunteers willing to go to local, fun, family-friendly events in the community and assist families with registration. This is a beautiful opportunity for families to volunteer, interact with other fantastic organizations, and participate in engaging activities for kids. Contact [email protected] for info on volunteering and being a part of this inspiring initiative.

9. Council on Aging of Buncombe County

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County‘s mission is “to promote the independence, dignity, and well-being of adults through service, education, and advocacy.” You and your kids can team up to support seniors with different tasks, such as providing rides to medical appointments, grocery stores, and hair salons, and delivering groceries and meals.

Most importantly, you’ll connect with them, and kids’ sole presence brings so much joy to elders! They need special assistance to deliver food to seniors during the holidays. Mileage is reimbursed at the standard IRS rate.

Other ways for kids to be involved in the community:

• Put together care packages for homeless people and handle them personally. Start a conversation whenever possible, and always ask their names. Once, I talked to a homeless person, and they told me it was the first time someone had asked them their name in years. Make it about the connection instead of focusing on what you’re giving! A simple Google search will guide you on the best things to include in your packages.

• Asheville’s new Period Pantry at Palm and Pine provides a convenient way to contribute. You can simply leave supplies there. For more details on how you can help, please get in touch with [email protected]. 

• Shop, cook, and bring food for the Asheville Free Fridges. They also need support with tidying up the grounds/cleaning the fridge and pantry/emptying the trash and breaking down any boxes left. For more information on how to help, please contact Melissa. 

• Asheville Humane Society works with volunteers ages 10-17, but requires an accompanying adult to be present at all times.

• You can check it out at your local library. My daughter volunteered at Pack Memorial Library for a few months before the pandemic. She helped sort books, organize shelves, and do anything needed by the librarians. It’s a great environment and if your child is 12 or older, you don’t need to be there while they volunteer.

• Collect books and distribute them within local free libraries. Literacy Together accepts donations of kids books and needs volunteers to restock three little libraries. The Pop Project is another great organization that needs help with book donations (kids and adults) and distribution.

• Build a free library or a free pantry outside your home and have the kids be in charge of them! 

• Work as a family to cultivate or maintain a community garden. It could be a new space you want to create in your neighborhood or an established garden at community centers, churches, etc.

• Literacy Together offers paid internships for teenagers and young adults aged 15-23 to work as reading tutors. The interns receive valuable training and professional development sessions and can choose to use those hours as volunteer hours. This will help them gain experience and will make their college applications and resumes look great. 

Thank you for volunteering in Asheville!