Volunteer
Giving back to the community and the world at large is part of Central’s DNA and always has been. We expect to spring into action when needs arise. We sent mission workers to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and assembled cleanup buckets after Hurricane Harvey. We’ve sponsored refugee families, helping them get established with jobs, transportation and places to live. And, we collect food every week for Camp Street Ministries. Our ongoing programs are listed below. There’s no such thing as too many volunteers. The more helping hands we have, the more we’re able to accomplish!
If you’d like to help direct Central’s volunteer efforts and opportunities, come to our Mission & Action Committee meetings, held the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. Contact: Mary Marran.
Amos House
We serve breakfast every Wednesday at Amos House. Space in their kitchen is limited, so please reach contact in advance if interested.
Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange
Each year, we collect gently-used coats and other winter gear for Rhode Islanders in need of warmth. They are distributed the Friday after Thanksgiving on the State House lawn.
Your Neighborhood Food Pantry
We collect food for Your Neighborhood Food Pantry - in baskets at the front of the sanctuary - every Sunday. Plus, we staff their food pantry on the fourth and fifth (if there is one) Saturdays of each month. Space is limited, so please contact if interested.
Christmas At Central
We need at least 30 volunteers to make our annual holiday bazaar - held the first Sunday in December - a success: booth and committee chairs, helpers, lunchroom managers, and cleanup crew.
Clothing Drive
We collect clothing for Camp Street Ministries on an ongoing basis. The collection box is located at the back of the Gallery.
Fall and Spring Clean-up
Each year, before Thanksgiving and Easter, we gather on a Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to help clean our church building and grounds. We welcome expert and not-so-expert help cleaning, dusting, washing windows, raking, weeding, etc. Coffee, doughnuts, and good company abound.
Loaves & Fishes RI
Central is a proud supporter of Loaves & Fishes, which delivers more than 20,000 meals, clothing, and basic necessities to in-need Rhode Islanders throughout the year - with compassion and love.
New Member Potluck Luncheon
In October, February and May, we welcome new members to the Central family and celebrate after Worship with a potluck lunch. We need volunteers to bring both main and side dishes and to help in the kitchen: setting up, food preparation, serving and cleanup.
PrideFest
Summer’s PrideFest is one of the ways we show our community that all are welcome at Central. We need lots of volunteers: people to help out at the booth and join the parade, as well as set-up and breakdown crews.
Snack Brigade
In February, we collect individually packaged snacks for Crossroads Rhode Island. We are seeking volunteers to bring in fruit and snacks, as well as deliver them.
Sojourner House
We collect toiletries - full-size, please - on an ongoing basis for this organization that supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The collection box is in Chapel Hall.