Frequently Asked Questions about volunteering at UGMTC
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC)! Here are some frequently asked questions and related answers about serving with us.
What is the age requirement to volunteer at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities?
All volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Volunteers under 18 years of age will need to be accompanied by a chaperone or parent/legal guardian. We do make certain exceptions for church and school groups. Please contact volunteer services to get more info.
How do I sign up?
Everyone who volunteers with UGMTC must have a volunteer profile. View our instructions for how to:
- Set up an Individual Volunteer Account
- Set up a Team Volunteer Account
- Sign up for an Individual Volunteer Opportunity
- Sign up for a Team Volunteer Opportunity
What should I wear to volunteer?
Volunteers must have appropriate attire for the work they will be doing. Following our dress code will protect our volunteers, guests, residents and staff. It sets standards of respect for everyone in our organization. All clothing must not portray themes related to alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, sex or violence.
Food Service Volunteers must wear:
- Closed-toed shoes
- Clothing that covers the chest, shoulders, underarms, torso, and knees
- Hairnets (provided by UGMTC) or hat (brought by the volunteer)
- Gloves and aprons (provided by UGMTC)
All Residential Programs
- Business casual attire is appropriate
Child Development Center
- Casual attire is appropriate
Do you accept walk-in volunteers?
We do NOT accept walk-in volunteers at any time. Please visit volunteers.ugmtc.org to learn more about how to register and sign-up for ongoing volunteer opportunities.
How do I volunteer for the Thanksgiving Grocery Bag Distribution and Thanksgiving Day events?
Thanksgiving is the busiest time of the year at UGMTC. Sign-ups for all Thanksgiving events, including serving on Thanksgiving Day will be made available starting in October each year. Due to the extremely high demand for serving on Thanksgiving Day, we cannot accommodate everyone who wants to serve on that day. We encourage individuals, churches and corporate groups to consider volunteering for any of our other opportunities for the Thanksgiving Grocery Bag Distribution event. Those opportunities start in October and go through the end of November. Check out our website, volunteers.ugmtc.org for information on any of our holiday events. Please contact volunteer services directly with any questions.
Do you offer volunteer opportunities for other holidays?
UGMTC is open seven days a week, every single day of the year. Thanksgiving and Christmas are our most popular opportunities and fill up months in advance! However, we definitely need more volunteers every other day of the year. We tend to need more help on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Please visit our calendar to sign up—we would be happy to have you help us!
Do you offer community service or court-ordered volunteer hours?
Yes, UGMTC accommodates individuals seeking hours for community service or court-ordered service. All individuals in this category can ONLY volunteer with our food service program at the Men’s Campus. Please inquire with volunteer services (volunteers@ugmtc.org) to get more info.
Can I take photos when I volunteer?
Of course! But, with some exceptions. We love it when our volunteers share their experience serving with us. Photos of our guests and/or residents are not allowed in any of our program areas. This is to protect those we serve and keep confidentiality. Please DO NOT share pictures of the names of individual guests, residents or community members on social media. Please tag us when sharing your individual or group photos on Facebook and Instagram.