Looking to help? Waltham groups offer many ways to volunteer 

Volunteers share a secret — volunteering is a happy addition to their lives. It’s fun and enlivens minds, hearts and community ties. Waltham residents have countless ways to turn generosity into action. From food pantries to gift drives, from farm work to clothing exchanges, local nonprofits are calling on volunteers to help strengthen the city’s heart. Whether you have an hour a week or a day to spare, the chance to make a difference lies just around the corner. Here are a few Waltham organizations seeking volunteer help.

Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation seeks seasonal and year-round volunteers to help share our region’s proud industrial history with the community. Volunteers can be tour guides or STEM educators for school groups. We also welcome volunteers with specific knowledge about vintage machinery or textile history, or who have historical research and writing backgrounds. Contact Director of Education Steve Guerriero, info@charlesrivermuseum.org, 781-893-5410.

Community Day Center of Waltham, at 16 and 20 Felton St., provides day shelter and support services to adults who are experiencing homelessness. Help out in TheShop@20 Felton: Sort donations and provide a warm service experience to guests selecting seasonal, donated clothing and shoes. Also, at the Drop-in Space, distribute mail and donated travel-size essential items (hygiene items, hand warmers, hand sanitizer, etc.) to guests. Support is needed Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12:30 to 2 p.m. Volunteers are asked to commit for at least one day a week, for three months or longer. Contact Executive Director Chloe-Rose Crouch, director@communitydaycenter.org, 781-392-6311. 

Healthy Waltham promotes collaborative approaches to improving the health and wellness of underserved and low-income populations. Help with ongoing food pantries, held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, at 101 School St. Shifts run 10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 3 p.m., 2:30 to 5 p.m., and 4:30 to 6 p.m. Contact Maria DiMaggio, Maria@healthy-waltham.org.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service hosts the Family Table Food Pantry on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1430 Main St. Volunteers are needed to pack and deliver groceries on Sundays, support clients at Marketplace distribution on Tuesdays, and prepack clients’ bags on Thursdays. Contact Lisa Katz, lkatz@jfcsboston.org, 781-693-1231.

REACH Beyond Domestic Violence empowers individuals, families and communities to overcome domestic violence. Year-round, enroll in direct volunteer service or internships. Before the holidays, host a Holiday Gift Drive to collect items for families and individuals rebuilding their lives after experiencing domestic violence. Also, organize a fundraising event, such as a school or community collection, to support the Holiday Gift Program. Contact mcastaneda@reachma.org, 781-891-0724.

Waltham Clothing Exchange is a thrift shop and a longtime project of First Parish, 50 Church St. Become a seasonal volunteer in spring and fall. Tasks include pricing, tag writing and tagging, sorting, hanging, display assistance, assisting consignors and customers, etc.; three hours minimum on Tuesdays between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contact Director Joel Weddig, jands1971@gmail.com, 339-215-9559.

Waltham Fields Community Farm at 240 Beaver St. cultivates sustainable and equitable relationships between people, their food supply and the land from which it grows. Volunteers help out on the farm and in the greenhouse. Learn about their volunteer opportunities. Contact Marla Rhodes, volunteer@communityfarms.org, 781-899-2403.

Waltham Council on Aging seeks year-round volunteer drivers for its Meals on Wheels food delivery program, run from the Stanley Senior Center, 488 Main St. Volunteers start around 10:30 a.m.; routes usually take about an hour or so. Some volunteers have one route one day a week; others choose to volunteer more often. Contact 781-314-3300.

Waltham Museum, 25 Lexington St., preserves local history and provides multidisciplinary cultural and educational programs for diverse audiences. Volunteer roles include docenting, accessioning, digitizing slides, researching and working on the museum’s website and social media. Hours are Sundays, 1:30 to 4 p.m., and some weekdays; some volunteering can occur remotely. Contact info@walthammuseum.org, 781-893-9020.

Waltham RiverBeat 2026 festival on June 20 will be held on the historic Moody Street Bridge and along the riverfront, offering both on-land and on-water activities. Volunteers are needed to help make the festival a success. Volunteer sign-up information is available here.

The Waltham Times produces an independent, nonprofit news publication serving everyone in Waltham. It is seeking volunteers for a variety of roles:

• The “Meet Your Neighbor” campaign, for door-to-door visits to residents this summer. Weekdays 5-8 p.m. and weekends are optimal times. Training provided.
• Board member with development and fundraising experience. 
• Spanish translator to translate articles, help with community outreach.
• Editors and reporters with backgrounds in journalism and AP style will be considered for reporting, writing and copy editing. 
• Social media marketer to design and manage campaigns, creating and scheduling posts about recent news, signing up for the newsletter, etc.
• Additionally, volunteers for posting stories (WordPress), helping with legal matters, growth strategy, advertising sales and event planning.

Please help The Waltham Times keep this list up to date. Send your nonprofit organization’s requests for volunteers by email to NonprofitNews@walthamtimes.org.