Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Ways to Serve
The Salvation Army, San Diego accepts youth volunteers ages 16 and 17 for a variety of opportunities. To find the right opportunity for you, click on the link below and enter your zip code. We accept Youth at our El Cajon and Chula Vista food pantries.
Your energy, compassion, and willingness to serve make you an essential part of The Salvation Army’s work. Every hour you give, every person you help, and every act of kindness you share creates a ripple of hope that reaches far beyond the moment. You’re not just volunteering — you’re changing lives.
Whether you’re packing food boxes, supporting community events, or lending a hand with one of our holiday opportunities, your service strengthens families, uplifts communities, and reminds people facing hardship that they are not alone. Your commitment today builds a brighter tomorrow for someone in need.
Thank you for showing up, stepping in, and making a lasting impact. You matter here — more than you know.
BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER
Before you volunteer, please make sure to download, print and have your parent or legal guardian sign the Youth Volunteer Form. Click below. Please take the printed and signed form on your first day of volunteering and hand it to the volunteer manager at your site.
OTHER WAYS TO VOLUNTEER
Red Kettle Club
If you’re the kind of student who wants to leave a real mark on your school and your community, the Red Kettle Club is your chance to do it. Powered by The Salvation Army and guided by a teacher advisor, this is a student‑run club where you take the lead, build the team, and create projects that make life better for people who need it most.
Red Kettle Clubs are for students who don’t just talk about change — they make it happen. You’ll learn how to launch a club from the ground up, organize events, inspire your peers, and turn your ideas into impact. It’s hands‑on leadership experience that colleges love to see, because it shows initiative, creativity, and a willingness to go the extra mile.
If you’re ready to step up, help others, and build something meaningful, don’t miss the chance to start a Red Kettle Club at your school. Your leadership could spark lasting change for your campus and your community.
If you have questions about developing a Red Kettle Club at your school and organizing Red Kettle Club activities, please contact:
Adriana Thiele
Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement
adriana.thiele@usw.salvationarmy.org
Ways to volunteer if you are under 16 years of age
Even if you’re under 16, you can play a huge role in helping The Salvation Army support people in need. You can team up with a parent to volunteer as a holiday bell ringer, organize a food drive at school and deliver the donations to your local Salvation Army pantry, or gather friends to assemble hygiene kits for unhoused neighbors. If you’re crafty, your creativity can brighten someone’s day — handmade holiday cards, Valentine’s notes, or simple “you are loved” messages mean the world to seniors living in low‑income housing. Every project you take on brings hope to someone who needs it, and your kindness makes a lasting difference.
For more information contact:
Adriana Thiele
Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement
adriana.thiele@usw.salvationarmy.org
Summer Camps
For more information on how to get involved with The Salvation Army Summer camps visit our website: