Volunteer: Children's Activities at New Directions ShelterVolunteers are needed to help children ages 1 to 17 with crafts, games, and activities that our staff will plan. Our shelter provides emergency housing for up to 8 families with children at a time. Most children's activities have between 5 to 15 children in attendance. Volunteer Responsibilities and Activity Information: Volunteers are needed between 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Wednesdays. Volunteers will help set up and clean up the activity. (Staff will provide guidance.) Volunteers will interact with the children and help them participate in the activity. Children come and go during the event. Volunteers will do 2-3 sessions of the activity to allow all children to participate as they arrive home to the shelter for the evening. If you would like to plan or bring a craft or activity, please just let us know. We'd love your help in planning.Volunteers: All ages are welcome to volunteer. Youth 14 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. Child volunteers should be signed up, too.Questions? Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404. About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive. Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. Note: This program does not accept court-ordered community service. Large Group Volunteering for Children's Events: If you have a larger group that would like to help with a children's event, please email Missy Reams at Missy@familiesforward.org. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Volunteers are needed to help children ages 1 to 17 with crafts, games, and activities that our staff will plan. Our shelter provides emergency housing for up to 8 families with children at a time. Most children's activities have between 5 to 15 children in attendance. Volunteer Responsibilities and Activity Information: Volunteers are needed between 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Wednesdays. Volunteers will help set up and clean up the activity. (Staff will provide guidance.) Volunteers will interact with the children and help them participate in the activity. Children come and go during the event. Volunteers will do 2-3 sessions of the activity to allow all children to participate as they arrive home to the shelter for the evening. If you would like to plan or bring a craft or activity, please just let us know. We'd love your help in planning.Volunteers: All ages are welcome to volunteer. Youth 14 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. Child volunteers should be signed up, too.Questions? Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404. About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive. Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. Note: This program does not accept court-ordered community service. Large Group Volunteering for Children's Events: If you have a larger group that would like to help with a children's event, please email Missy Reams at Missy@familiesforward.org. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 50312 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Family Day of Service Volunteer EventFamily Day of Service: Back-to-School & Hygiene Pack Assembly
Click Here to Sign Up!
Bring your family or anyone you call family and join us for a day of giving back! Families of all kinds and all ages are welcome to participate—whether that's parents and kids, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, or your chosen family. Children of all ages are welcome.
Together, we'll assemble breakfast packs, after-school snack packs, and hygiene packs to support individuals and families in our community. This is a fun, hands-on opportunity to spend time together while making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors.Questions? Contact Missy Reams @familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404.About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.
Organization: Families Forward Family Day of Service: Back-to-School & Hygiene Pack Assembly
Click Here to Sign Up!
Bring your family or anyone you call family and join us for a day of giving back! Families of all kinds and all ages are welcome to participate—whether that's parents and kids, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, or your chosen family. Children of all ages are welcome.
Together, we'll assemble breakfast packs, after-school snack packs, and hygiene packs to support individuals and families in our community. This is a fun, hands-on opportunity to spend time together while making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors.Questions? Contact Missy Reams @familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404.About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.
Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Happens On Aug 15, 2026 Zip Code: 50315 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Meals for New Directions Shelter | Families ForwardHelp feed families at our emergency shelter — one dinner at a time.
Volunteer meal donors prepare or purchase a child-friendly dinner for up to 20-25 people and drop it off at the shelter between 4:00–4:30 pm. No serving involved — just drop and go. Meals can be dropped off ahead of time and staff can heat them up. Meals are most needed on: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and SundaysA few things to know: Plan for up to 20 people, mostly children.Meals should be well-balanced and kid-friendly.Preferred drop-off is between 4:00–4:30 pm on your chosen day (sign up below), but you can drop off ahead of time.We can heat or reheat as needed.Drinks and dessert are welcome but not required.Food should come in containers that do not need to be returned.Note: This could be a virtual volunteer opportunity if you wanted to order food to be delivered.Full details are sent after sign-up. Reach out anytime with questions — we're happy to help you plan.Easy meal ideas: (These are not required; they are just ideas.) Taco bar — seasoned ground beef or chicken, tortillas, toppings Baked potato bar — potatoes and toppings Mac and cheese bar — big pan of mac, with mix-ins like bacon bits, broccoli, hot dogsSandwiches — bread, deli meat, cheese, condiments, chips, fresh fruitCasserolesHot dogs and tater totsMini corn dogs, side, fresh fruitSloppy joes and side(s)Pasta with marinaraChili with cornbread or rollsPulled pork or chicken sandwiches with side(s)Questions? Contact Melanie Wright at melanie@familiesforward.org or 515-244-9748. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Help feed families at our emergency shelter — one dinner at a time.
Volunteer meal donors prepare or purchase a child-friendly dinner for up to 20-25 people and drop it off at the shelter between 4:00–4:30 pm. No serving involved — just drop and go. Meals can be dropped off ahead of time and staff can heat them up. Meals are most needed on: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and SundaysA few things to know: Plan for up to 20 people, mostly children.Meals should be well-balanced and kid-friendly.Preferred drop-off is between 4:00–4:30 pm on your chosen day (sign up below), but you can drop off ahead of time.We can heat or reheat as needed.Drinks and dessert are welcome but not required.Food should come in containers that do not need to be returned.Note: This could be a virtual volunteer opportunity if you wanted to order food to be delivered.Full details are sent after sign-up. Reach out anytime with questions — we're happy to help you plan.Easy meal ideas: (These are not required; they are just ideas.) Taco bar — seasoned ground beef or chicken, tortillas, toppings Baked potato bar — potatoes and toppings Mac and cheese bar — big pan of mac, with mix-ins like bacon bits, broccoli, hot dogsSandwiches — bread, deli meat, cheese, condiments, chips, fresh fruitCasserolesHot dogs and tater totsMini corn dogs, side, fresh fruitSloppy joes and side(s)Pasta with marinaraChili with cornbread or rollsPulled pork or chicken sandwiches with side(s)Questions? Contact Melanie Wright at melanie@familiesforward.org or 515-244-9748. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 50312 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Pantry - Organizing Clothing & Stocking (evenings & weekends)Volunteers are needed to help organize clothing donations, household donations and stock the pantry on Tuesday nights and some Saturdays. Volunteers will help in the following ways: Clothing Pantry: Sorting, hanging, and organizing clothing and household donations. Grocery Aisles: Stocking and facing grocery items.Volunteers should be 5 years of age or older to volunteer. Youth 12 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. (If you'd like to bring younger children, please contact Missy Reams - see contact info below.) Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404. About Bidwell Pantry: At the Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Serving up to 6,700 individuals per month, the Bidwell Pantry provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing. About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience. Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Volunteers are needed to help organize clothing donations, household donations and stock the pantry on Tuesday nights and some Saturdays. Volunteers will help in the following ways: Clothing Pantry: Sorting, hanging, and organizing clothing and household donations. Grocery Aisles: Stocking and facing grocery items.Volunteers should be 5 years of age or older to volunteer. Youth 12 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. (If you'd like to bring younger children, please contact Missy Reams - see contact info below.) Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404. About Bidwell Pantry: At the Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Serving up to 6,700 individuals per month, the Bidwell Pantry provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing. About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience. Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 50315 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Food Pantry VolunteersVolunteers are needed to help families get food, clothing and other basic necessities at the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Training is provided when a volunteer first arrives. Individual Signup: To sign up individually or up to 3 people, click here. Group Signup: To sign up a group of 4 or more, please email Missy at missy@familiesforward.org.Volunteers help in the following way each day: Food Pantry Guide: Guiding families through their grocery “shopping” experience. Clothing Pantry: Sorting, hanging, and organizing clothing and household donations. If we are caught up with helping families get groceries, volunteers will help stock the grocery aisles.Volunteers needed Monday through Friday (day time and evening shifts) and some Saturdays. Volunteers should be 5 years of age or older to volunteer. Youth 12 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404 or by text at 515-346-8895. About Families Forward Bidwell Pantry: At the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Help families “shop” through our free building for food, personal care items, clothing, and household items. Serving 6,000 - 9,000 individuals per month, our pantry provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing. About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience. Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Volunteers are needed to help families get food, clothing and other basic necessities at the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Training is provided when a volunteer first arrives. Individual Signup: To sign up individually or up to 3 people, click here. Group Signup: To sign up a group of 4 or more, please email Missy at missy@familiesforward.org.Volunteers help in the following way each day: Food Pantry Guide: Guiding families through their grocery “shopping” experience. Clothing Pantry: Sorting, hanging, and organizing clothing and household donations. If we are caught up with helping families get groceries, volunteers will help stock the grocery aisles.Volunteers needed Monday through Friday (day time and evening shifts) and some Saturdays. Volunteers should be 5 years of age or older to volunteer. Youth 12 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404 or by text at 515-346-8895. About Families Forward Bidwell Pantry: At the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Help families “shop” through our free building for food, personal care items, clothing, and household items. Serving 6,000 - 9,000 individuals per month, our pantry provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing. About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience. Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Zip Code: 50315 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Make No-Sew T-shirt BagsNeed a project to do at home? We need bags for the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Recycle your old t-shirts into no-sew t-shirt bags. We can use over 120 t-shirt bags per day, so we welcome large donations of these bags. (We are now serving 6,000 to 9,000 people per month.) Please let us know if you would like someone from Families Forward to come share the impact that this project provides to our organization and those we serve.Making no-sew t-shirt bags is a great project that you can do from home and allows you to re-purposes an old t-shirt. No-sew t-shirt bags are sturdier than plastic bags, can hold more food items, and be re-used. This project is also kid-friendly and environmentally friendly. We also need used plastic grocery bags, paper grocery bags and cloth bags. Drop Off Location: 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315 For Instructions: Click here to view the instructions to make the bags. Questions? Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Need a project to do at home? We need bags for the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Recycle your old t-shirts into no-sew t-shirt bags. We can use over 120 t-shirt bags per day, so we welcome large donations of these bags. (We are now serving 6,000 to 9,000 people per month.) Please let us know if you would like someone from Families Forward to come share the impact that this project provides to our organization and those we serve.Making no-sew t-shirt bags is a great project that you can do from home and allows you to re-purposes an old t-shirt. No-sew t-shirt bags are sturdier than plastic bags, can hold more food items, and be re-used. This project is also kid-friendly and environmentally friendly. We also need used plastic grocery bags, paper grocery bags and cloth bags. Drop Off Location: 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315 For Instructions: Click here to view the instructions to make the bags. Questions? Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Collect Used Plastic Grocery Bags for PantryThe Bidwell Pantry needs used plastic grocery bags to help bag up the pantry guests’ groceries. The Bidwell Pantry serves 6,000 to 9,000 individuals per month. With the rising costs of food and supplies, you can help make a difference more than ever. We also accept used paper grocery bags and cloth bags. We are currently serving between 100 to 150 families per day and need 2-3 bags for each person's groceries. Drop Off Location: 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315 Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward The Bidwell Pantry needs used plastic grocery bags to help bag up the pantry guests’ groceries. The Bidwell Pantry serves 6,000 to 9,000 individuals per month. With the rising costs of food and supplies, you can help make a difference more than ever. We also accept used paper grocery bags and cloth bags. We are currently serving between 100 to 150 families per day and need 2-3 bags for each person's groceries. Drop Off Location: 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315 Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Clothing Donation DrivesHost a Clothing Donation Drive to help provide clothing and needed items to those struggling financially in our community. The Families Forward Bidwell Pantry serves between 6,000 to 9,000 people each month, so all sizes and ages of clothing are welcome. (All items are free to those that come to our pantry.) Scheduling a Drop Off Donations that are more than 5 garbage bags or boxes must be scheduled 2-3 days in advance. To schedule a drop off, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. Please allow 2-3 business days for scheduling.Drop Off Location: 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315
About Families Forward: Families Forward has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Host a Clothing Donation Drive to help provide clothing and needed items to those struggling financially in our community. The Families Forward Bidwell Pantry serves between 6,000 to 9,000 people each month, so all sizes and ages of clothing are welcome. (All items are free to those that come to our pantry.) Scheduling a Drop Off Donations that are more than 5 garbage bags or boxes must be scheduled 2-3 days in advance. To schedule a drop off, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. Please allow 2-3 business days for scheduling.Drop Off Location: 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315
About Families Forward: Families Forward has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency. Organization: Families Forward Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Zip Code: 50315 Allow Groups: Yes |