Volunteers are needed to help fill the shelter with holiday spirit. Sign up individually or come as a group.
Volunteers will help in the following ways:
- Prepping for the Holidays (Organizing & Cleaning) - Volunteers are needed help organize our space. This would include organizing, cleaning and preparing spaces in the shelter for the holidays.
- Sorting and Organizing Holiday Donations (Gift Sorting & Organizing) - Volunteers will help organize and sort donations coming in for our Essential Needs Baskets and the Holiday Wish List (items used in our Holiday Gift Room). Everything is free to the families staying with us.)
- Wrapping up the Holidays (Clean Up) – As the holidays wind down, volunteers are needed to help us organize items and decorations, and then put them away.
- Please Note: You may help with all 3 items above or only one while volunteering based on our needs for that day.
Questions: Contact Missy Reams by email at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404.
About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help.
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.
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.
