Volunteer with Hope on the Block

Show up.
Make a difference.
No experience needed.

There are many ways to volunteer with us — from cooking a Friday Meal to stocking a pantry to organizing a community drive. Find your fit below.

3+ Ways to Volunteer
No Application Required
Any Schedule Works
All Ages Welcome

Your neighborhood needs you — and we make it easy.

Hope on the Block runs entirely on community energy. Every pantry that gets restocked, every Friday Meal that gets cooked and served, every supply drive that gets organized — it all happens because someone decided to show up.

Volunteering with us doesn't require training, a background check, or a long-term commitment. You can help once or every week. You can bring a group or come alone. Whatever works for you works for us.

Hope on the Block volunteers serving a Friday Meal

Find your way to help.

Every role below makes a direct difference for our neighbors. Some take an afternoon, some take an hour — all of them matter.

🍳
Most Needed

Cook & Serve the Friday Meal

Sign up for a Friday, shop for ingredients, cook in our licensed kitchen at Cathedral of St. Paul, and serve about 80 free meals to your neighbors. We provide the kitchen, containers, and support — you bring the food and the heart. Great for groups of 3–4.

Learn more & sign up →
📦
Anytime

Stock & Tidy a Community Pantry

Our pantries in Fond du Lac and North Fond du Lac are open 24/7 and always appreciate a helping hand. Stop by any time to restock shelves, organize supplies, and make sure everything is clean and accessible. No permission or scheduling needed — just show up.

FDL Pantry location →
🚗
Flexible

Organize a Food or Supply Drive

Rally your workplace, congregation, school, or neighborhood to collect food and hygiene supplies for the pantries. You set the scope and timeline — we can help with a wish list of most-needed items and a drop-off plan. Drives can be as small or large as you like.

Email us to get started →
💵
Financial

Sponsor a Friday Meal

Can't make it in person? Sponsor a week's Friday Meal for $250 and we'll take care of everything — shopping, cooking, and serving — in your name or your organization's. Your gift directly feeds 80 of your neighbors.

Donate to sponsor →

Volunteering with us is simple.

01

Pick a way to help

Browse the opportunities above and find what fits your schedule, group size, and interests.

02

Sign up or show up

Some roles — like the Friday Meal — need a sign-up so we can coordinate. Pantry stocking? Just go whenever.

03

We support you

Hope on the Block volunteers are always on hand to help, answer questions, and make sure you have what you need.

04

Come back anytime

There's no commitment required. Some volunteers come every week. Others help once a year. Both are welcome.


Bring your team, your class, or your crew.

Hope on the Block is a great fit for corporate volunteer days, youth groups, faith communities, school organizations, and civic clubs. Group volunteering is one of the most impactful — and energizing — things a team can do together.

Great group opportunities include:

  • Cook & serve a Friday Meal (3–4 volunteers, one Friday)
  • Host an office or congregation supply drive
  • Deep-clean and restock both pantry locations in one visit
  • Sponsor a meal in your organization's name

Plan a group volunteer day

Tell us who you are, how many people you're bringing, and what kind of help you'd like to offer. We'll help you find the best fit and make sure the day runs smoothly.

No forms or accounts needed — just an email.

Email Us to Get Started

Common volunteer questions.

Do I need to sign up in advance?
It depends on the role. The Friday Meal requires a sign-up so we can coordinate dates and kitchen access. Pantry stocking and tidying can be done any time, no notice needed. Supply drives are informal — just reach out and we'll help you get started.
Can I bring kids?
Yes! Many families volunteer together. Pantry stocking is especially kid-friendly. For the Friday Meal kitchen, children are welcome with adult supervision — just keep in mind it's a working commercial kitchen environment.
Is there a minimum time commitment?
Not at all. You can help once, seasonally, or every week — whatever fits your life. We're grateful for every hour.
What items are most needed for supply drives?
Our pantries stock a range of essentials: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hand sanitizer, tissues, non-perishable food, and water. Email us at hopeontheblockfdl@gmail.com for our current most-needed list before your drive.
Where do I drop off donated items?
You can drop donations directly into the community pantries (open 24/7), or coordinate with us for larger supply drive deliveries. Reach out and we'll make it easy.
I want to help but I'm not sure which role fits me. What should I do?
Just email us at hopeontheblockfdl@gmail.com and tell us a little about yourself — your schedule, group size, and what interests you. We'll point you in the right direction.

Ready to get involved?

Every role matters. Every hour counts. Start wherever feels right.

Sign Up for a Friday Meal Email Us a Question

Questions? hopeontheblockfdl@gmail.com  ·  EIN: 92-1048256