Volunteers are, and have always been, the heart of Jewish Family Service. Volunteers began the work of JFS in 1892, and it is volunteers who continue helping individuals and families in our community today. Volunteers are instrumental in fulfilling our mission to help people achieve well-being, health and stability.
How to DIY Volunteer With JFS!
Read MoreTo be a JFS volunteer we ask you to do the following:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Check out our B’nai Mitzvah guide, which helps tweens and their families take on this momentous Jewish lifecycle event while weaving in volunteer opportunities and Torah food for thought. Read the guide or click below to connect with us!
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Bring an element of service into your next event with this group activity: Your group can support the Polack Food Bank by bagging bulk food product (e.g., rice, beans, oats) into individual portions for distribution. We will provide a ready-to-go volunteer kit with all the tools you’ll need to set up this activity, and donate these food supplies for our neighbors. To request a kit, please see complete details here and contact Volunteer Services at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Make a difference with a creative project that directly impacts lives in our community. Contact Volunteer Services to create your own project as an individual or with a group. DIY volunteer ideas make for great b’nai mitzvah projects. For the most up-to-date needs of JFS and those we serve, please contact Volunteer Services at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Once a month, volunteers make contactless grocery delivery to an assigned list of community members.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers assist with set up, clean up and/or day of tasks for events. Some heavy lifting will be involved.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers help distribute food and toiletries, restock items and clean up after the shift. Volunteers should be able to lift at least 25 pounds and must be 18 years of age or older.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers pick up pre-made bags of groceries and make contact-free deliveries to community members in need.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
The JFS Community-Wide Food Drive kicks off with announcements at Rosh Hashanah and culminates with the Food Sort after Yom Kippur. The Food Sort is an excellent opportunity for individuals, families, and groups to help the Polack Food Bank sort and organize thousands of pounds of donations. A special thank you to our dedicated volunteers and community partners who step up each year to make this all possible.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers are thoughtfully paired with an individual to help provide virtual companionship and community connection, reducing social isolation and the negative mental health outcomes that can come with it.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Various clerical tasks, filing, shredding, data entry and other tasks as needed.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers deliver special holiday baskets around Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, Purim and Passover to local community members. This is a contactless delivery and is a great opportunity for families.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers assist with in-person translation between Polack Food Bank staff and food bank guests. Volunteers are also needed for special projects such as auditing, written translation and phone calls.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers make contactless deliveries of Kosher Shabbat meals to community members two Fridays per month.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Volunteers collect, transport and sort gleaned produce at the end of the market day. Volunteers should be able to lift at least 25 pounds for this opportunity.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Please contact volunteer@jfsseattle.org for more details about each of these projects.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
Welcome Circles (also called “community sponsorship”) are groups of at least five individuals who come together to directly support the resettlement of newly arrived refugees.
If you are interested in forming a Welcome Circle, please visit HIAS for more details
For local assistance with a range of needs you may encounter as a Welcome Circle, please refer to the list below:
Connecting to local Afghan communities:
Afghan American Community of WA
Afghan Health Initiative
Muslim Association of Puget Sound – American Muslim Empowerment Network (MAPS-AMEN)
Interpretation and language services:
Tarjimly (free and premium service options available)
Universal Language Service
Telelanguage
Legal services:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP
Human Rights First Afghan legal assistance request form
If you would like to support Afghan refugees through volunteer opportunities with JFS or are not yet ready to form your own Sponsor Welcome Circle, please follow the links below to get started.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3179.
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