Community Support Opportunities

Summer is the perfect time for service activities. From working in community gardens to collecting donations, many activities are open to the entire family. Share time you’re your friends as you uplift those in need and foster a spirit of togetherness.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteer for an hour, a day or a week.

Animal Rescue Foundation

A.R.F. (Animal Rescue Foundation) in Wheaton needs volunteers to foster rescues, assist with adoption events and provide marketing skills. Check out volunteer opportunities this summer.

DuPage Pads

Volunteer with DuPage Pads to provide weekly support in the resource center, laundry room or front desk help at DuPage Pads Interim Housing Center.   

DuPage Senior Citizens Council

Make a call, mow the lawn or deliver a meal to a home-bound senior this summer. Contact DuPage Senior Citizens Council to volunteer.

Giving DuPage

Visit the Giving DuPage Volunteer Search Portal for current and urgent volunteer needs.

Family Shelter Service

Like working in the weeds? Family Shelter Service needs volunteers for summer yard clean up and weeding. Register for one or more.

Loaves and Fishes

Loaves and Fishes is currently recruiting volunteers to care for children of participants in their Moving Up program, Monday evenings beginning Sept. 14 at the Food Distribution Hub, 580 Exchange Ct. in Aurora. To volunteer, email Sharon at sgonzalez@loaves-fishes.org.

People's Resource Center

Share your talents with People’s Resource Center clients this summer. Art instructors, job coaches and food pantry workers are needed. For more opportunities and to sign up, visit peoplesRC.org/volunteer.

PRC Volunteer Truck Drivers Wanted

People’s Resource Center Needs YOU! PRC is looking for a Food Rescue Refrigerated Truck Driver. Drive PRC’s large refrigerated truck to area grocery stores to pick up food donations, and transport items back to our Westmont food pantry. What would make you a good fit for this opportunity?

• Required to have an IL Class C or CDL license or are open to getting one (PRC will pay the fees)
• Are available to help on various weekday mornings
• Can lift boxes (up to 40 pounds) and load the vehicle independently

To volunteer or for more information, visit PRC Volunteer Opportunities or email volunteers@peoplesrc.org.

Please note: COD Cares compensated service hours are only applicable to group service activities hosted by COD Cares and, therefore, not applicable to the above list.

In-kind Donations

• Shop online and donate essential items to 360 Youth Services Care Depot.  
• The Outreach House supports the community through food pantry, clothes closet and job assistance services. In-kind donations of food, clothing and infant necessities are urgently needed.
• DuPage Pads has a list of urgent donation needs. Shop Amazon or drop off donations at the Client Services Center.
• Phil’s Friends is running low on essential items for our care packages. Please shop their Amazon Wishlist to donate items directly.
• Sending the kids back to school? Share new supplies with children served by ICNA Relief, Humanitarian Service Project and Bridge Communities. Take advantage of BOGO and bulk sales. A full backpack helps build confident students!

Need Assistance?

For a more comprehensive list of additional local area resources, visit the Students in Need of Assistance page.

COD Cares About What You Care About

Email CODCares@cod.edu to tell us about your favorite national or local organization and why it is special to you! We can include it on this page or add it to our growing list of monthly group service activities.