Volunteer

Volunteers who have a heart for helping others can make it possible for the Rescue Mission to continue to serve men, women and children in need in our city and surrounding communities.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Springfield Rescue Mission!

We are glad you’re here and excited to tell you more on how you can make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Once the simple initial steps to get started are complete – creating a volunteer profile and attending a volunteer orientation – you can choose the area in which you’d like to volunteer that will best utilize your gifts and talents. Or try your hand in different departments of the Rescue Mission to get a feel for where you would like to volunteer.

Click the button “Register to become a Volunteer” below to get started.

For more information, please read our Volunteer FAQs.

For volunteer questions or group volunteers, please contact Lenore Masciotra, Volunteer Program Coordinator at 413-732-0808 Ext 220, lmasciotra@springfieldrescuemission.org.

Food Services Volunteers

Volunteers help prepare and serve Breakfast (6:00am – 8:00am) and Lunch (10:00am – 1:00pm).  For dinner service, please see “Provide a Meal” below. Due to Massachusetts State Law, no one under the age of 16 is allowed in the kitchen.

Click here to view Massachusetts State Laws

For more information, please contact Lenore Masciotra, Volunteer Program Coordinator at 413-732-0808 Ext 220, lmasciotra@springfieldrescuemission.org

Breakfast

Monday – Friday – 6:00am – 8:00am

Volunteers will arrive at 6:00 am  to help prepare and serve breakfast to residents, staff and the public followed by clean up.

Breakfast for residents is at 6:30am; Breakfast for the public is at 7:00am.

Lunch

Monday –Friday -10:00am – 1:00pm

Volunteers will help prepare and serve Lunch for Residents, Staff & Volunteers from 12pm – 12:30pm and the homeless & community guests from 12:30pm – 1pm followed by clean up.

GiveAway Center

*Monday- Tuesdays 9:00am -12:00pm & 1:00pm – 3:00pm 

Volunteers will work alongside the GAC Assistant to organize, restock and assist guests who have appointments to shop for items. Volunteers may also be asked to cross over to the warehouse for additional support.

*Days subject to change.

Warehouse

Monday – Friday – 10:00 am-12:00 pm*

Volunteers will help organize warehouse, restock and sort items under the direction of the Warehouse Coordinator. Volunteers may be asked to cross over to the GiveAway Center for additional support.

*Afternoon hours may be available.

Operation SONshine – Street Feeding Van

Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Volunteers will help prepare the lunch bags and load the van with food, water, and other items to be distributed at various locations to the homeless and poverty-stricken in the community.

Provide a Dinner

One of the most rewarding ways to volunteer is to make a meal for the residents in the Men’s New Life Rehabilitation Program. This is a tremendous help to the Rescue Mission. Volunteers can prepare a meal off-premise and drop off or can stay to serve. Volunteers Must Contact Us to Provide a Dinner!  lmasciotra@springfieldrescuemission.org  413-732-0808 ext. 220.

10 Mill St. Monday – Friday  Sunday – 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm

148 Taylor St. – Monday – Sunday – 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm

Dinner is served at 5:00 pm at both facilities.

The Dinner meal should arrive by 4:00 pm. Volunteers who have completed a volunteer orientation may stay to serve the meal.

Volunteers can also drop off the meal by 4:00pm if unable to stay to serve.

Special Events– These are listed throughout the year as they occur.

Other opportunities are available for volunteering off-premise. Please see Volunteer Page on SRM Website: https://springfieldrescuemission.org  or contact Lenore for more information.413-732-0808 ext. 220. lmasciotra@springfieldrescuemission.org.

More Ways to Get Involved!

Sometimes it isn’t possible to volunteer time and serve on the premise of the Rescue Mission. However, there are several things that individuals, families, organizations and church groups can do off-premise that will still support the programs and services we offer.

You can help with these ongoing needs at the Rescue Mission:

Hope Totes/Basic Needs – personal care items are needed throughout the calendar year for the core programs of the Rescue Mission.

New Underwear and Socks – for men, women and children all year round!

Operation SONshine – sandwiches & lunch bag items are always needed and appreciated for our street-feeding ministry! You can supply sandwiches alone or add a drink, bag of chips, cookie, granola bar, water; fruit, soup for cold months. No donation is too large or small!

Drives: organize a car wash, food collection; bake sale; tag sale, etc., with proceeds directed for the Rescue Mission. Contact Robin Gobeille for more information: 413-732-0808 ext. 237. rgobeille@springfieldrescuemission.org.

• Provide and/or serve a regularly scheduled meal. Prepare a meal to be placed in our cooler/freezer for future use. Or provide a lunch or dinner and serve it here! Bring your meal in prepared and just reheat. This gives our Food Service and kitchen crew a much-appreciated respite and a treat for our residents! For more information, call the Volunteer Program Coordinator to discuss options.
• Have a “Clean up the Community” day or week. Pick up cans/bottles, redeem them and donate the money to the Rescue Mission. (This can garner media-attention for your group, if you desire.)
• Hold a food/ clothing/coat drive for the Rescue Mission. Ask people to donate food items and gently used clothing and coats to help feed and care for the poor. (Please look at expiration dates on food items before donating)
• Sponsor a Bake Sale to benefit the Rescue Mission.
• Visit the Mission, take a tour and have lunch with the staff!
• Schedule a speaking engagement for your church, organization, club, group, etc. to learn more about the programs, services and volunteer opportunities at the Mission.+*
• Participate in or make sandwiches for “Operation SONshine”, see above under Operation SONshine.
• Organize a Tag Sale and invite your friends and neighbors to participate to support the Rescue Mission.
• Promote a Fundraiser event: **Walk-A-Thon, Telethon, Bike-A-Thon, Bowl-A-Thon, Golf Outing, auction, sports event, penny drive, bake-off, ice cream social or entertainment event to promote and benefit the Mission. Please contact Robin Gobeille at 413-732-0808 ext. 237 or rgobeille@springfieldrescuemission.org to discuss your ideas.
• Help the Staff find appropriate employment opportunities for the Men’s New Life graduating residents.
• Encourage others to pray for and financially support this 132+ year old Christian organization.
• Pray for those who will benefit by your act of love, compassion and selflessness.