Summer Service Opportunities in Memphis

Guest post by dannon eubanks, volunteer odyssey director of community engagement

School is out. Summer Service is in.

Summer is your time to have more time—and more daylight can create more drive to get even more accomplished.

These experiences listed below will not only allow you to engage with your city this summer, but these opportunities will give you the chance to open your mind and cultivate your community.

Find a Summer Service Opportunity that Fuels You:

Dorothy Day House - Family Move

June 4th (9AM to 12PM)
The Dorothy Day House provides transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness—and you have the opportunity to move a family out of the Dorothy Day House and into their very own apartment!

For the Kingdom - Feed the Block

Weekdays (1PM- 4PM)
The For the Kingdom “Feed the Block” initiative cooks and plates meals to be delivered to Raleigh residents. Volunteers are needed to assist with prepping, cooking, and plating the meals. Volunteers can also assist with cleaning, washing dishes, sorting donated goods, and other tasks to ensure staff are supported as they serve hundreds of locals every weekday.

Kindred Place - Germantown Charity Horse Show

June 7th-11th with shifts throughout the evenings
The Germantown Charity Horse Show is one of the largest all-breed horse shows in the country—and all of the proceeds from the program book sales will go directly to Kindred Place, a counseling and education center for parents, partners, and individuals in Midtown Memphis. Volunteers will be assigned to sell event program books to attendees as they come in. Volunteers will be able to attend the show for free, and they can bring family and friends to volunteer with them.

Memphis Botanic Garden, Live at the Garden Set-Up

June 11th (10AM- 3PM)
Help Memphis Botanic Garden staff member, Bri Helms, put the final touches on the Live at the Garden concert for the month! This outdoor opportunity is fantastic for those who need volunteer hours for school or work. Bring headphones if you’d like. Who knows, you may see a rock star walking around!

Volunteer Odyssey, Donor Thank You(s)

June 15th from (1PM- 3PM)
The Volunteer Odyssey team deeply appreciates their donors, so they are taking an afternoon to have a cup of coffee and write thank you cards together. You can spend the afternoon learning more about what Volunteer Odyssey does and how they impact the city through volunteerism.

Wolf River Conservancy - Discover the Greenway Signage Check

June 18th-25th (6PM-7PM) with spots all along the greenway
The Wolf River Conservancy is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the Wolf River and its watershed as a sustainable natural resource, and their volunteers serve a vital role in fulfilling this mission. Partner with WRC to preserve and enhance the Wonder of the Wolf by picking a location and checking the signage for their Discover the Greenway event.

Catholic Charities of West TN - Community Garden and Ubran Green Space

Tuesdays from (8AM to 10PM)
Volunteer in the newly created community garden and greenspace on the Catholic Charities campus. Volunteers are needed to weed, water, prune, and eventually harvest in their garden. Upon completion, this garden will serve as a community asset and open space for those that visit and rely on Catholic Charities.

Tone Memphis - Juneteenth Family Reunion Weekend

June 19th with shifts throughout the afternoon and evening
To commemorate this nation wide holiday, TONE will host a weekend long ‘family reunion’ that will include an arts, culture, and community festival on Sunday, June 19th featuring an outdoor picnic, live art, live musical performances, Black owned vendors, fresh food, and a number of other entertainment opportunities. Volunteers are needed to assist with check in, merchandise sales, and more as they experience this incredible weekend while helping TONE ensure the event runs smoothly.

Arkwings Foundation - Open Gallery Days Docent

Wednesdays (1PM- 3PM) (3PM-5PM)
If you love local history, arts, nature, and meeting people, here is a volunteer opportunity for you. Arkwings is a non-profit organization housed in a 1930s former family home which has been transformed into a community arts and nature gallery and gathering place. They are looking for volunteers to meet and greet visitors during weekly Open Gallery days.

Grizzlies Foundation - Mentor Memphis Grizzlies Orientation

June 21st (4PM to 6PM)
MENTOR Memphis Grizzlies’ Training Institute provides training to mentors and mentor programs so that they are equipped to improve student outcomes. After completing training, MENTOR Memphis Grizzlies will connect you to a quality youth mentoring program.

Overton Park Shell - Summer Concert Series Volunteers

Shifts Thursdays-Sundays throughout June
Join the Overton Park Shell as a volunteer in their 13th season of free music in Memphis. There are multiple volunteer opportunities throughout June and July. Help the Shell make it happen by volunteering your time & talents to push their mission of community and music.