As a meal volunteer, your role would involve providing, preparing, and serving a meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) for approximately 45 guests for dinner and breakfast and 30 guests for lunch. You can use the on-site full-service kitchen or prepare the food beforehand. Alternatively, you can purchase food from a restaurant to serve. For more information, check out our Meal Volunteer Handbook that is available to answer most questions.
See Meal Calendar
Volunteers stay overnight at First Light, arriving at 7:00 PM to distribute toiletries and help maintain the evening routine in the emergency shelter. With a private room and bathroom, volunteers typically sleep through the night, while a guard monitors the front desk. This rewarding role is best suited for female volunteers, as the dorm setup requires sensitivity to guest privacy during evening routines.
Sign up to volunteer
Bring joy to women and children in need by leading fun and uplifting activities at our shelter. Volunteer to host arts & crafts, games, and movie activities. You can also organize holiday parties or provide motivational talks. Your time and energy can make a lasting impact!
Sign up to volunteer
As a501(c)3 nonprofit, First Light relies on donations, grants, and events like our annual Gala and our Dancing with the Stars of the Magic City Fundraiser. These events need volunteers skilled in event planning, sponsorship outreach, decorating, marketing, graphic design, or A/V.
Email our Development Director, Casey Schaffer at casey@demo.firstlightshelter.org to inquire about serving on an upcoming event committee.
First Light relies on donations of cleaning supplies, toiletries, and more to serve our guests daily. You can help by hosting a supply dive at your church, office, or community group. Get creative – organize drives around fun themes like National Dentist Day or National Laundry Week, or host a housewarming party for a guest moving into permanent housing. Even birthday celebrations can become opportunities to gather in-kind or cash donations for First Light.
See current shelter needs
Providing safe shelter, food, and essential resources for homeless women and children requires ongoing financial support. Whether you’re an individual, a business, or part of a community group, there are many creative ways to help raise funds and make a meaningful impact.
See fundraiser ideas
The guests we serve are in crisis, whether from the trauma of finding themselves homeless or feeling alone, afraid, or without hope. Volunteering at First Light isn’t suitable for everyone. Please take a moment to fill out this form to begin the process of finding out if it’s right for you! If there are current openings that you may qualify for, someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your interest in serving the homeless guests we serve.
For more details about any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Camilla at 205-323-4277 or camilla@firstlightshelter.org.
