Donate Time

Make a Difference

Volunteers at The Hoboken Shelter can contribute in the kitchen, laundry room, office for special tasks like mailing prep, and during special events. Volunteers shifts are flexible so you can donate your time and talent when it’s most convenient for your schedule.

We serve 500 meals daily, so the preparation and service of these meals by volunteers are crucial to our success. Volunteers are welcome to join us for the breakfast, lunch, and dinner shifts. Details on these shifts are as follows:

  • Breakfast Shifts - Monday to Sunday - 9 am to 11 am (3 Volunteers Max)

  • Lunch Shifts - Monday to Sunday - 11 am to 3 pm (10 Volunteers Max)

  • Dinner Shifts - Monday to Sunday - 5 pm to 8pm (10 Volunteers Max)

Looking to add more value to volunteering in our kitchen?

We also allow groups to "Bring a Meal". This would mean that your group purchases the necessary groceries to prepare a meal that feeds 100+ individuals. You can prepare the meal at home or in your office and then drop it off, or you can bring the groceries, prepare them in our kitchen, and then serve your meal to our Guests.

Want to volunteer individually or with a group of less than 4?

Begin by registering on Bloomerang then proceed to reserve your shift. Any shift labled “RESERVED FOR:__” are reserved and exclusive to only that group’s members - please do not register for those shifts.

Do you have a group of more than 10 individuals?

Past groups that have over 10 volunteers have stationed 10 volunteers for tasks in the kitchen and then involved all additional volunteers in a task like assembling travel-size hygiene kits or sandwiches for our Guests. Larger groups have also scheduled themselves across the day’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner shifts - or scheduled kitchen shifts across multiple days. Another option would be to have your larger group assemble kits or sandwiches off-site and drop them off at the Shelter.

Note the Shelter does not provide the products for the kits and/or the food for the sandwiches.

What is the average cost to organize my group’s volunteer event?

Volunteering with us is FREE unless you bring a meal, make hygiene kits, or make sandwiches in addition to volunteering in our kitchen.

Want us to Host a Lunch & Learn Session for your corporate or civic group?

Our Volunteer Specialist hosts terrific Lunch & Learn sessions customized for your organization!

  • These sessions can be held on site at the Shelter or over Zoom. (Or if your organization is in Hoboken, we can work to coordinate our Volunteer Specialist coming to your office.)

  • We will discuss topics such as the history of The Hoboken Shelter, the vital services we provide, how your team can get involved in making a difference, and so much more.

  • Date and time can be discussed based on availability.

How to Sign Up

Step 1: Log on to The Hoboken Shelter Bloomerang Organization Page

Step 2: Read through the organization page in its entirety

  • Please be sure to complete this task to avoid any scheduling conflicts or confusion.

Step 3: Click the green "Sign up for this organization" button

  • Fill out your name and email, and then create a password.

Step 4: Fill out the questionnaire

  • Enter the required details including

    • Name

    • Address & Phone Number

    • Sign The Hoboken Shelter Waiver

Step 5: With these steps completed, you will have access to review and sign up for all the available volunteer opportunities

  • Select any volunteer opportunity you are interested in

  • If you are looking to volunteer as a group please email natalie.hull@hobokenshelter.org to reserve your spot. Do not sign up and assume that it schedules your group. Groups are only confirmed through Natalie Hull.

  • Do NOT sign up for any "reserved" shifts unless you are a part of the reserved group.

Step 6: Select the shifts you would like to sign up for

  • Review your cart and click the green "Sign Up" button.

Step 7: You are now signed up for the shift - good job!

  • To review the shifts you are signed up for please click the "My Shifts" tab at the top of the page.

  • If you want to remove yourself from the shift go to "My Shifts" and click the trash can icon.

Step 8: You are now all set to download the app

  • Download the "Bloomerang Volunteer" app and sign up for shifts on your smartphone.

  • Reminder: You can not access the app until you create an account online.

NOTE: If you would like to sign up for additional shifts within the same volunteer opportunity you must go to the "My Opportunities" tab at the top of the webpage. The opportunity will now be removed from the Organization Page and accessed only in "My Opportunities". Once you click on the opportunity please follow steps 5 and 6 again to sign up for additional shifts.

Questions? Scroll up this page for a series of helpful tutorials.

For any other questions, please reach out to Natalie Hull at natalie.hull@hobokenshelter.org.

Remote Volunteer Opportunities for Kids & Teens

Here are some ways kids and teens can support our Shelter’s Guests from home!

Support Our Mission

There are a number of ways for you to spread news and support the Shelter!

Host a Workshop for Our Guests

We need your help to empower our Guests with the tools to succeed!

Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering

What you need to know before coming in!

  • Adults and children can volunteer on-site at the Shelter.

    (Children 14 and under should be accompanied by an adult.)

    Get started here.

    *Please note that we DO NOT host COURT-ORDERED Community Service Volunteers.*

  • The Shelter is located at 300 Bloomfield St in Hoboken, NJ.

    We are in the basement of the church located on 3rd and Bloomfield — the entrance is located down the wheelchair-accessible ramp on 3rd St.

  • Volunteers must check-in at the Front Desk when you arrive to volunteer.

    Please dress casually, wear a hat, wear closed-toe shoes, & look forward to having a good time!

    Check-in with front desk and scan the Bloomerang check-in code located on the kitchen refrigerators.

    • Listen to and follow directions from kitchen staff or team leaders.

    • Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling food.

    • Use gloves when required and change them regularly.

    • Wear clean aprons and keep hair tied back or covered.

    • Be mindful of hot surfaces, boiling liquids, and sharp objects.

    • Maintain a clean kitchen environment; clean spills immediately.

    • Follow food safety guidelines for storage, preparation, and cooking.

    • Report any accidents or injuries immediately.

    • Store food properly and adhere to correct temperatures for refrigeration and cooking.

    • Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for different types of food.

    • Clean up spills and messes immediately to prevent accidents.

    • Wash and sanitize utensils, equipment, and surfaces after use.

    • Properly dispose of trash and recycling in designated bins.

    • Use kitchen equipment and supplies carefully and return them to their proper place.

    • Report any broken or malfunctioning equipment to the team leader.

  • Please use our volunteer app, Bloomerang and refer to the section titled: “My Hours Worked.”

    • Schedule, register, and track your hours

    • Get documentation of your hours volunteered. (The Shelter will NOT provide letters.)

    *Please note that we DO NOT host COURT-ORDERED Community Service Volunteers.*

  • All on-site volunteers MUST register and schedule shifts through our volunteer app, Bloomerang.