SPRINGFIELD SERVICE GUIDE
Serve where you live.
From packing food to mentoring young readers, Springfield offers students meaningful ways to put Missouri State’s public affairs mission into practice.
Updated October 15, 2026 · Opportunities and requirements can change; confirm details with each organization.
Students take part in community service with Springfield Community Gardens. Photo: Missouri State University News.
Service can be a one-time Saturday project, a weekly mentoring relationship or part of an academic experience. This guide brings together trusted campus resources and established Springfield-area organizations so students can find a fit by cause, schedule and commitment level.
Start at Missouri State
The university offers several pathways into service, including campus-based volunteering, academic service-learning and longer-term leadership programs.
Find and track service through GivePulse
Missouri State recommends GivePulse for finding community service opportunities posted by Springfield-area partners and logging service hours. The platform is also used for Bear Pantry volunteering and the city’s Clean Green Springfield initiative.
Start here: Visit the CCE website for current guidance, or see the Bear Pantry group on GivePulse.
Volunteer with Bear Pantry
Located within the CCE behind Starbucks in the Plaster Student Union, Bear Pantry provides food and hygiene resources to members of the campus community facing food insecurity. Students can sign up for two-hour volunteer shifts, help with donation drives and support partner projects.
Contact: bearpantry@missouristate.edu · Volunteer on GivePulse
Connect coursework with community needs through CASL
Citizenship and Service-Learning (CASL) offers one-credit service-learning courses tailored to students’ professional goals and connects them with community partners.
Use eligible service toward a parking citation
The Student Government Association’s Bear With Me program allows students to work off eligible MSU parking citations—up to $50, twice per year—by completing at least two hours of service with an organization posted on GivePulse and logging the service through CampusLink.
13 Springfield organizations looking for volunteers
Use the filters to narrow this directory by area of interest. Each listing links to an official site or volunteer page; contact the organization directly for current openings and schedules.
Photos: Habitat for Humanity and Ozarks Food Harvest.
1. Ozarks Food Harvest
The Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri serves hunger-relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties.
Volunteer roles: Sort, inspect and pack food on weekdays, or fill bags for the Weekend Backpack Program during Saturday sessions.
Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 12; ages 12–15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Closed-toe shoes and advance registration are required.
2. The Kitchen, Inc.
The Kitchen, Inc. helps people experiencing homelessness find stability through housing, emergency shelter and youth services.
Volunteer roles: Front desk hospitality, donation sorting, kit assembly, life-skills instruction, group improvement projects and meal preparation for Rare Breed Youth Services.
Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 11; those under 18 must have an adult guardian, advisor or group leader. Recurring volunteers complete a Family Care Safety Registry check with a one-time $15 fee. Rare Breed meal volunteers during youth hours must be 25 or older.
3. Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, MO
Habitat builds and renovates affordable homes for Greene County families; its ReStore helps fund the mission.
Volunteer roles: Construction work such as painting, drywall, flooring and framing; ReStore customer service and organization; and neighborhood cleanups. No construction experience is required.
Requirements: Construction-site volunteers must be 18 or older. Advance registration and closed-toe shoes are required; construction shifts are offered Wednesday through Saturday.
4. Harmony House
Harmony House provides shelter, advocacy and education for survivors of domestic violence.
Volunteer roles: Building and maintenance help, administrative work, donation sorting and event support for fundraisers such as the Purple Party and Halloween Hustle.
Requirements: Call 417-837-7700 for current openings. Purple Party volunteers must be 21 or older.
5. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks
The organization creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people realize their potential.
Volunteer roles: Serve as a community-based Big, visit a student as a Lunch Buddy or support matches and events.
Requirements: Lunch Buddies commit to 30 minutes each week for one year and must pass a background check.
6. Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield
The Clubs help young people—especially those who need support most—reach their potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Volunteer roles: Tutoring and homework help, mentoring, arts, sports, game room support, facilities upkeep and special events.
Requirements: The current application process was not confirmed. Check the organization’s website or call 417-862-9249 ext. 104 for current needs before planning service.
7. Ozarks Literacy Council
Trained volunteer tutors help children and adults improve literacy skills and confidence.
Volunteer roles: Meet weekly with a learner for one-to-one reading instruction or visit preschool classrooms with lessons and books.
Requirements: Volunteers must be 18 or older, read at a high school level, complete a monthly tutor training session, pass a background check and commit to helping a learner reach their goals.
8. CoxHealth Volunteer Services
Volunteers support CoxHealth’s mission to improve community health and often serve as the first point of welcome for patients and visitors.
Volunteer roles: Guest ambassador, Emergency Department support, gift shops, information desk, patient escort, pastoral care, pet therapy, veteran visits and patient-floor assistance.
Requirements: Applicants must be at least 15 and complete an application, interview, background check, drug screening, immunization screening and orientation. NICU cuddlers first complete 40 CoxHealth volunteer hours.
9. Springfield Community Gardens
The organization creates gardens that strengthen neighborhoods through healthy relationships, local food and community.
Volunteer roles: Plant, weed and harvest; build garden beds; deliver produce; teach cooking or gardening; and help at distribution sites and community fridges.
Requirements: Volunteers sign an online waiver and register through the volunteer portal before serving.
10. Ozark Greenways
Ozark Greenways builds a trail system that connects and enhances the Springfield community.
Volunteer roles: Join quarterly trail work days, collect trash on any trail, serve on a committee or support an approved service project.
Requirements: Any part of the volunteer program can qualify for community service hours. Contact John Montgomery at john@ozarkgreenways.org or 417-501-4674 to arrange service.
11. Humane Society of Southwest Missouri
This private nonprofit shelter works to find homes for every adoptable animal that enters its care.
Volunteer roles: Adoption support, kennel care, transport, events, fostering, group service days and Reading for Rescue, which invites volunteers to read aloud to shelter animals.
Requirements: Submit a volunteer form online. Volunteers under 15 need a guardian to submit a form as well. Transport volunteers must be 25 or older and have a clean driving record.
12. Convoy of Hope
The Springfield-based global nonprofit provides food, supplies and disaster services to people facing poverty and humanitarian crises.
Volunteer roles: Hope Crew warehouse sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, disaster response, truck driving and farm support.
Requirements: No volunteers under 10. Ages 10–12 must be with a parent or legal guardian; ages 13–17 need parental consent. Closed-toe shoes are required, and groups of 10 or more must pre-register.
13. American Red Cross — Missouri & Arkansas Region
The Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies and provides relief after disasters.
Volunteer roles: Disaster Action Team, Blood Donor Ambassador, Services to the Armed Forces and preparedness education.
Requirements: Disaster Action Team training requires advance registration; training is provided.
About current availability: Fine details such as shift times may change seasonally. The Boys & Girls Clubs volunteer application process could not be confirmed during research; students should contact the Club directly before making plans.
Put these annual service events on your radar
These recurring events can be a good fit for students who want a defined, one-time commitment. Dates and registration windows change from year to year.
June (Past)
United Way of the Ozarks Day of Caring
The region’s largest single-day volunteer event connects teams with nonprofit projects across the area. The 34th annual event on June 18, 2026 included 114 project sites and more than 1,300 volunteers. Nonprofits post projects on United Way’s Live United platform, and registration is free.
October
City Utilities Halloween Hustle
This 5K, 10K and one-mile costume race benefits Harmony House. Volunteers support traffic control, water and food stations, packet distribution and games.
November
Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk
Springfield’s Thanksgiving Day tradition benefits the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and the Park Board Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund. Participants also bring nonperishable food for Ozarks Food Harvest, and race-day volunteer roles are available through the Park Board.
April–May
Clean Green Springfield
Individuals, families, teams, businesses and neighborhood groups join citywide cleanup and beautification projects. The city provides trash bags, and service hours are tracked through GivePulse.
Throughout the year
Missouri State service days
Watch for Bear Blitz, Acts of Kindness Week in February, César Chávez Day of Service on March 31, Public Affairs Service Week in April, Bear Service Team projects and campus blood drives. A blood donation counts as one service hour.
Before you volunteer
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Choose the commitment you can keep. A one-time event, recurring shift and yearlong mentoring match each ask something different. Be realistic about transportation, coursework and work schedules.
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Read the requirements. Age minimums, background checks, training, footwear and advance registration vary by organization.
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Confirm the current opening. Volunteer calendars and seasonal needs change. Use the official link in this guide, then contact the organization if details are unclear.
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Ask how to document your hours. If hours are for a class, scholarship or student organization, confirm the required verification method before serving.
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Follow through. Arrive on time, communicate early if plans change and respect the people and communities the organization serves.
One city, many ways to contribute
Meaningful service begins with showing up consistently and listening well. Whether you have two hours this month or time every week, Springfield has a place where your skills can support the community—and where the experience can deepen your own education.
Need help choosing? Contact the Center for Community Engagement at cce@missouristate.edu or volunteer@missouristate.edu, call 417-836-5774, or visit Plaster Student Union 131.
Research completed October 15, 2026 using official organization pages and reputable local sources. Confirm dates, eligibility and openings directly with the organization before serving.