Volunteer Now
Brown Bag Ministry prepares and distributes brown bag lunches every Saturday morning to a low-income senior citizen apartment community in Durham. The ministry welcomes groups and families of all ages to participate. Volunteers work together to make sandwiches, pack lunches, gather in brief communal prayer, and experience face-to-face contact with people in need.
Contact:
The Creation for Care Ministry strives to meet the challenges from scripture, Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Sí, and our Franciscan roots to respond to “The Cry of the Earth and the Poor”. We suggest changes in our daily lifestyles, encourage changes and improvements in how our parish impacts the environment, and participate in organizations that advocate on the local and state level. Ministry options include our parish Community Garden, a local CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) program, or regular collaborations with community organizations.
Contact:
Pam James
Stfccreation@gmail.com
Catholic Parish Outreach – On-going Donation Collection
CPO is a ministry of Catholic Charities that serves the needs of people facing difficult financial times by providing food and clothing for children and maternity clothing for mothers. Certain donations are collected year-round in Clare Hall.
Contact :
Sue Hand | 919-846-7954 / CPO | 919-873-0245
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Catholic Parish Outreach Donation Drives
Join us twice a year as we host food drives for and invite parishioners to volunteer at CPO, a ministry of Catholic Charities that serves the needs of people facing difficult financial times.
Contact:
Anne-Marie Summers
summers51984@gmail.com
The Farm to church CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) supports local BIPOC farmers and sustainable and/or organic farming methods. By subscribing to a CSA, you share in both the risks and rewards of a farmer and their farm produce. The subscription fee is paid up front to the farmer. As a member of the CSA, you will receive a weekly box of sustainably and organically grown produce for 8 weeks during the CSA season. There are options to join in the fall, spring, and summer.
Contact:
Elizabeth Kearse
eskearse@gmail.com
CORRAL Riding Academy is a faith-motivated nonprofit that equips adolescent girls in high-risk situations through a long-term, holistic program of equine therapy and education. Reach out for more information on opportunities to provide transportation and academic support for program participants on a weekly basis or check out the service opportunities portal to help with hands-on support around the Kildaire campus on monthly work days.
Contact:
Donna Schwede
donna.schwede@gmail.com
The annual CROP Hunger Walk, taking place in October, raises awareness of issues of hunger and food insecurity in our local and international community. In addition to walking, optional fundraising goes to support local and international organizations addressing these very issues. Opportunities exist to walk, donate, or join the leadership team.
Contact : JaVon Hansknecht (919) 847-8205 x270
Contact:
Collects items and provides care packages for distribution among the poor
Contact:
Alyson Zwerneman
alysonzwerneman@gmail.com
We coordinate a number of drives: food for local food pantries, supplies for migrant farm workers, and school supplies and backpacks for children. We also coordinate an Advent Giving Tree for local organizations, families, and ministries.
Contact:
Ashley Watson
919-847-8205 x 444
Our annual Fair Trade and Alternative Gift Market is in November. This event provides an opportunity to purchase fair trade and alternative gifts from various vendors that ensure fair wages and dignity for vulnerable people worldwide. A parish leadership team is tasked with planning, leading, and promoting this event.
Contact:
Javon Hansknecht
(919) 847-8205 x 270
Make a difference by helping support the lives of families experiencing temporary homelessness. Our program, with Family Promise of Wake County, provides meals and groceries while families work towards permanent housing. If you’d like more info or sign up to volunteer, contact Jim Packard. Every family deserves a home.
Contact:
Jim Packard
stfa.fp@gmail.com
Guided by a care for creation, the Franciscan Community Garden uses sustainable practices to provide fresh produce to local needy households. The garden is on the parish campus in front of La Verna (the log cabin house). All levels of volunteers are welcome to join. The main work is done on Saturday mornings.
Contact:
Pat and Paul Kelly
mpmkelly@hotmail.com
Join us as we collaborate with Habitat for Humanity to work toward our vision by building strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with families needing decent and affordable housing. Volunteers work alongside soon-to-be homeowners in the construction of their new homes.
Contact:
Will Connelly | willbconnelly@gmail.com
Serves dinner on the second Friday and third Wednesday of each month at this emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness.
Volunteer Opportunities:
St. Francis Serves Ministry Page
For Friday Dinners contact:
Ashan James & Angela James
2angelajames@gmail.com; 2ashanjames@gmail.com
For Wednesday Dinners contact:
Lisa Demunyk & Kate Griffith
ldemuynck10@gmail.com; kategr2002@yahoo.com
Contact:
For Friday Dinners contact:
Ashan James & Angela James
2angelajames@gmail.com; 2ashanjames@gmail.com
For Wednesday Dinners contact:
Lisa Demunyk & Kate Griffith
ldemuynck10@gmail.com; kategr2002@yahoo.com
We strive to aide our parishioners in remaining engaged in the “signs of the times” by promoting opportunities for learning, reflection, prayer, and action. Events throughout the year include educational programs, films, guest speakers, book reviews, and more.
Contact:
JaVon Hansknecht
javon.hansknecht@stfrancisraleigh.org | 919-847-8205 x270
We invite you to “be” with us in the community as we Cook Together with L’Arche North Carolina participants. Volunteers play a vital role in cultivating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. This may look like engaging others in conversation, creating connections, sitting quietly with someone, or helping a friend participate in the day’s activity. Every interaction and friendly connection is a huge support for cultivating a community of belonging at L’Arche!
Contact:
Gladys Whitehouse
gladys.whitehouse@gmail.com
Travel with a team of drivers during the summer and connect with migrant workers of local farms by driving them to and from mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, in Louisburg. Once a month, a fiesta is held for the workers, their families, and volunteers to join in community.
Contact:
Tom Carlson and Carlos Panameno
tcarlson28@gmail.com. carlos.panamenojr@gmail.com.
We provide breakfast for the guests of Oak City Cares experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Partnering with OCC, we listen to, connect with, and serve persons at risk or experiencing homelessness so they can have a hot, nutritious meal.
Contact:
Ann Lassiter
aclassiter02@gmail.com
A county-wide community organizing effort (with 50 other faith congregations) to involve citizenry in tackling the region’s most pressing problems: affordable housing, mental health, and public transportation.
Contact:
Nancy Dilger
ndilger3@gmail.com
Every year we host two food drives to stock the food pantry for Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Louisburg, NC where approximately 24% of the population live below the poverty line.
Contact:
Tess Ferrer-Turner
tessferrer89@yahoo.com
As part of our ongoing effort here at St. Francis of Assisi to feed with dignity those in need in our community and beyond, and to do our part to be good stewards of God’s resources here on earth, we participate in Panera Bread’s Day-End Dough Nation Program.
Each Monday evening at the Brier Creek Panera Bread we go and pick up the leftover breads and pastries at the end of the day. We then deliver these beautiful treats the following morning to one of 2 locations. Our Lady of the Rosary Food Pantry OR Durham Center for Senior Life
This gift of food that supplements their monthly intake is very much appreciated by all these communities.
Contact:
Emma Dempsey
emakdemp@gmail.com
Contact:
Gladys Whitehouse
gladys.whitehouse@gmail.com
The Prison Pen Pal Ministry builds connections with people sentenced to death in NC. Each member is matched with a person living on Death Row who requests a pen pal friendship. Often we discover that our pen pals express talents in art, writing, and music. Support from the leadership team is given as needed and during regular meetings.
Contact:
Catherine Maher and Vicki Jack
sfapenpal@gmail.com
Join a dedicated group who meets to promote interracial and interfaith dialogue, seeking understanding through prayer and discussion with members of Baptist Grove Church.
Contact:
Tom Zimmerman
919- 848-7546
Contact:
Heather Scanlon
7scanlons@gmail.com
Contact:
JaVon Hansknecht
javon.hansknecht@stfrancisraleigh.org
Our ministry provides approximately 60 home-cooked meals for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Durham on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We collect donations and then a few volunteers meet at RMH to prepare and serve the meal. Please join us in helping provide “a little piece of home” for these families who are going through a very difficult time in their lives.
Contact:
Michelle Harris
michelle.harris95@gmail.com | 919-656-4477
This ministry nurtures a relationship with a small, rural village in Guatemala called Las Margaritas II. We exchange visits and deepen our bonds of shared life and friendship. We invite parishioners to join us on pilgrimage for an experience of a life time or host villagers when they visit us every few years.
Contact:
Liz Mosler
919-594-4882
Week-long mission trips to urban Philadelphia where SFA volunteers prepare and serve hot meals to the hungry and homeless in a Franciscan setting. Several trips are scheduled each year.
2025 Schedule: Feb. 17 – 21, April 28 – May 2, July 14 – 18 (SFA Youth Ministry), Oct. 20 – 24
2026 Schedule: Feb 16 – 20, April 13 – 17
Contact:
Diana Melo and Pablo Cantu
melo.diana@gmail.com
We share God’s mercy by serving those needing assistance for an acute financial burden. The goal is to keep families in their homes with the utilities on. We join to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those in need. For information on how to volunteer or donate, go to the St. Vincent de Paul Website.
Contact:
Cathy Smith
smithtcr@gmail.com
If you need assistance with rent or utilities, please call the SVdP helpline at 919-534-4842.
We invite you to “be” with us in the community as we Cook Together with L’Arche North Carolina participants. Volunteers play a vital role in cultivating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. This may look like engaging others in conversation, creating connections, sitting quietly with someone, or helping a friend participate in the day’s activity. Every interaction and friendly connection is a huge support for cultivating a community of belonging at L’Arche!
Contact:
Gladys Whitehouse
gladys.whitehouse@gmail.com
The Farm to church CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) supports local BIPOC farmers and sustainable and/or organic farming methods. By subscribing to a CSA, you share in both the risks and rewards of a farmer and their farm produce. The subscription fee is paid up front to the farmer. As a member of the CSA, you will receive a weekly box of sustainably and organically grown produce for 8 weeks during the CSA season. There are options to join in the fall, spring, and summer.
Contact:
Elizabeth Kearse
eskearse@gmail.com
Contact:
Gladys Whitehouse
gladys.whitehouse@gmail.com
Contact:
Heather Scanlon
7scanlons@gmail.com
Guided by a care for creation, the Franciscan Community Garden uses sustainable practices to provide fresh produce to local needy households. The garden is on the parish campus in front of La Verna (the log cabin house). All levels of volunteers are welcome to join. The main work is done on Saturday mornings.
Contact:
Pat and Paul Kelly
mpmkelly@hotmail.com
Every year we host two food drives to stock the food pantry for Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Louisburg, NC where approximately 24% of the population live below the poverty line.
Contact:
Tess Ferrer-Turner
tessferrer89@yahoo.com
CORRAL Riding Academy is a faith-motivated nonprofit that equips adolescent girls in high-risk situations through a long-term, holistic program of equine therapy and education. Reach out for more information on opportunities to provide transportation and academic support for program participants on a weekly basis or check out the service opportunities portal to help with hands-on support around the Kildaire campus on monthly work days.
Contact:
Donna Schwede
donna.schwede@gmail.com
Catholic Parish Outreach – On-going Donation Collection
CPO is a ministry of Catholic Charities that serves the needs of people facing difficult financial times by providing food and clothing for children and maternity clothing for mothers. Certain donations are collected year-round in Clare Hall.
Contact :
Sue Hand | 919-846-7954 / CPO | 919-873-0245
***
Catholic Parish Outreach Donation Drives
Join us twice a year as we host food drives for and invite parishioners to volunteer at CPO, a ministry of Catholic Charities that serves the needs of people facing difficult financial times.
Contact:
Anne-Marie Summers
summers51984@gmail.com
We share God’s mercy by serving those needing assistance for an acute financial burden. The goal is to keep families in their homes with the utilities on. We join to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those in need. For information on how to volunteer or donate, go to the St. Vincent de Paul Website.
Contact:
Cathy Smith
smithtcr@gmail.com
If you need assistance with rent or utilities, please call the SVdP helpline at 919-534-4842.
Week-long mission trips to urban Philadelphia where SFA volunteers prepare and serve hot meals to the hungry and homeless in a Franciscan setting. Several trips are scheduled each year.
2025 Schedule: Feb. 17 – 21, April 28 – May 2, July 14 – 18 (SFA Youth Ministry), Oct. 20 – 24
2026 Schedule: Feb 16 – 20, April 13 – 17
Contact:
Diana Melo and Pablo Cantu
melo.diana@gmail.com
