Volunteer with Us

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have, just ask the more than 1,750 volunteers that help South County Outreach end hunger and house hope for Orange County families each year. Whether they’re volunteering individually or with a group, lending support on a regular basis or occasionally, South County Outreach volunteers enjoy interacting with clients, sorting food and stocking shelves in the food market, driving trucks and picking up donations, handling retail responsibilities at Upscale Resale thrift store, outreach, administrative tasks, and much more.

Individual/Student Volunteer Opportunities

South County Outreach volunteer opportunities are as varied as the amazing people who give their time to help our mission. Our individual volunteers, including students who receive community service credit for their hours, help us in many ways:

  • Working in the food market

  • Becoming a truck driver
  • Providing front desk support
  • Helping as an office assistant
  • Participating as a thrift store volunteer

Group Volunteer Opportunities

South County Outreach welcomes corporate, faith-based, civic, school, and community groups looking to make a difference together. Volunteering as a group is a great way to enjoy some team-building and fun while helping us end hunger and homelessness in Orange County.

  • Volunteer in the Food Market.

    With our Food Pantry now located in Lake Forest, our Whatney warehouse location (7 Whatney, Ste. B in Irvine) serves as a distribution center where group volunteers help prepare donated food for our community. Projects may include sorting food donations, checking expiration dates, organizing items by category, and other activities that help keep our Food Pantry stocked and running smoothly.

    Since client services have been relocated, we are now able to welcome groups earlier in the day at our Whatney warehouse, with the following two-hour shifts available:

    • 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
    • 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    • 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

  • Host a Food Drive. Rally your coworkers, congregation, school, or community group to help stock our shelves! Make it fun with a friendly competition to see who can collect the most food. We can provide food collection barrels and arrange pickup once your drive is complete. Click here for more info.

  • Make a Donation.

    Can’t volunteer in person? You can still make a meaningful difference. Your donation helps provide fresh food for our Food Pantry and housing assistance for local families in need.

Ready to get involved? Sign up as a South County Outreach volunteer today by completing our online volunteer application by clicking the button below.

Questions? Please contact volmgr@sco-oc.org.