Volunteer with us

At First Fruit Ministries, we’re committed to improving the lives of people facing homelessness, human trafficking, and food insecurity in the Cape Fear Region. We have a lot of opportunities for you to get involved, from volunteering in the food pantry, to mentoring, or creating a fun and meaningful experience for your group!

To get started, you'll need to create an account in VolunteerHub.

Volunteer opportunities

FOOD PANTRY

Mondays, 9am-12:30pm

Wednesdays, 8am-1:30pm

Saturdays, 8:40am-12:30pm

(Shorter shifts available)


Our Food Pantry serves food-insecure neighbors in Wilmington by providing fresh food boxes 3 days per week. Volunteers assist with stocking shelves, sorting food items, check-in, assisting clients in building their boxes, and clean-up. This volunteer activity is suitable for children ages 10 and older with an accompanying adult.

OUTREACH CENTER

Tuesdays, 9am-3pm (women's day shelter)

Thursdays, 9am-3pm


Our Day Shelter provides homeless neighbors with showers, a laundromat, hot meals, clothes and toiletries, and assistance with finding shelter. Volunteers serve as mentors, serve meals, wash and dry laundry, and distribute supplies.

HOPE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

1-On-1 Mentorship (by application only)


Sisters of Hope is a mentorship program designed to bring friendship, love, encouragement and hope to women experiencing homelessness or human trafficking. As a one-on-one program, every mentor will be partnered with a resident to build a relationship that supports their journey towards self-sufficiency. This program requires a 6 month commitment.

GROUP SERVICE PROJECTS

Scheduled per the project

9am-1pm (Typically Saturdays)


Group service projects include landscaping, painting, organizing the food pantry, and sorting donations. The typical group size is 5-10 people usually, with fiften people max.

URBAN MISSIONARY PROGRAM

One-Year Resident Missionary at First Fruit Ministries


Christian believers who join our outreach and residential teams care for others through faith and service and mature through effectively ministering to those who are homeless or experiencing brokenness. This training opportunity focuses on establishing Urban Missionaries in their identities as sons and daughters of God, through whom God’s unconditional love is shared with the most vulnerable people in our community.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do you accept court-ordered community service?

    Yes; please indicate on your application that you need to complete community service hours and our staff will contact you to make arrangements to complete your required hours. After volunteering, you can login to VolunteerHub to download a report of yours hours to submit to the requesting party. 

  • Do you have family-friendly volunteer opportunities?

    Yes! Children ages 10 and older can volunteer in our Food Pantry with an accompanying adult. 

  • Can you host my group for a volunteer opportunity?

    Absolutely! We can create a one-day project for your group. Please contact anewber@firstfruitministries.org to discuss your project. 

My experience as a volunteer...

My passion for volunteering at First Fruit Ministries helps me to fulfill my purpose in life through filling the need to help the less fortunate, which is very important to me. The greater the need the more I feel I’m needed and appreciated. There will always be poor people in the land, and God has commanded us to always look out for the less fortunate. My deepest passion comes from reminding people that God loves them, and He is using me to show them his love. I believe the Word of God when it says love covers a multitude of sins.

Caslisa Griffin

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