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10 Volunteer Opportunities Near Mariposa

Posted on September 24, 2019

Caring for the community and helping neighbors are some of the things that set Mariposa residents apart. Whether you love caring for animals, tackling paperwork or helping people first-hand, here’s several volunteer opportunities near Mariposa, no matter your age or interest.

1. Watermelon Mountain Ranch
Location: 3251 Westphalia Blvd NE, Rio Rancho, about 14 minutes from Mariposa
Watermelon Mountain Ranch offers a variety of programs that benefit cats, dogs and humans alike. Each year thousands of animals enter the gates of the ranch looking for a second chance. Dogs and cats that may not have always been shown kindness in their past come with hope in their hearts.
Volunteers are needed to care for animals, help at special events, assist in the office and more. Learn about the volunteer program on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Take a full tour of the property and learn all about the various volunteer opportunities the ranch has to offer.
Phone: 505-771-0140
Volunteer application: https://www.wmranch.org/volunteer

2. St. Felix Pantry Inc.
Location: 4020 Barbara Loop SE, Rio Rancho, about 22 minutes from Mariposa
St. Felix Pantry is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to feeding the hungry, founded 25 years ago by Sister Genevieve. The organization could use volunteers for sorting, unloading, storage and distribution of food, recycling, assisting clients with carry-out, filling special needs food boxes, arranging and distributing clothing, and even filing.
Phone: 505-891-8075, email: sfp@stfelixpantry.org
Volunteer link: http://stfelixpantry.org/volunteer-opportunities/

3. Community Link ABQ
Location: 2210 Silver SE, Albuquerque, about 30 minutes from Mariposa
Community Link ABQ is dedicated to helping social service organizations accomplish their missions by linking them with volunteers and resources, providing opportunities to work together to meet community needs. This organization is actively helping volunteers find the right fit to use their skills and talents.
Phone: 505-296-3114, email: info@clabq.org
Volunteer Link: https://www.centerfornonprofitexcellence.org/nonprofit-directory/nonprofit/12565

4. Storehouse West Inc.
Location: 1030-F Veranda Dr. SE, Rio Rancho, 18 minutes from Mariposa
At Storehouse West, non-perishable items are donated by churches, service organizations, schools and residents. They handle donations from letter carriers and other community food drives. In 2015, Storehouse West distributed over 249,000 meals to feed almost 16,000 people.
Volunteers are needed to sort food and clothing, fill orders, interact with clients, pick up donations and deliver to homebound clients. You can also join the Copper Crusade and collect pennies for Storehouse West.
Phone: 505-892-2077, email is storehousewestnm@gmail.com
Volunteer link: http://www.storehousewestnm.org/how-to-help.html

5. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico
Location: Schumann Branch, 4600 Sundt Rd NE, Rio Rancho, about 20 minutes from Mariposa
Since 1952, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico has provided at-risk children, between the ages of 5 and 18, with a safe place to learn and grow. Currently the club serves over 4,000 children in its Albuquerque and Rio Rancho Clubs. Members learn leadership skills, explore career opportunities and become healthy individuals who are ready to tackle challenges.
Volunteer needs: Tutoring, mentoring, helping at one of BGCCNM’s signature events, gardening, remodeling projects and more.
To volunteer, you must come in and fill out paperwork to set up a schedule. All Community Service volunteers must successfully pass a background check prior to entering the club, must be willing to sign a volunteer policy, and abide by all rules of the club.
Volunteer link: https://www.bgccnm.org/volunteer-opportunities

6. Roadrunner Food Bank, about 30 minutes
Location: 5840 Office Blvd NE, Albuquerque
Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico has been serving New Mexico’s hungry since 1980 thanks to a vision by founder Reverend Titus Scholl, who started the organization by distributing food to the hungry out of the trunk of his car.
Today they are helping 70,000 hungry people weekly. Roadrunner Food Bank seeks volunteers for both warehouse and non-warehouse volunteer opportunities.
Phone: 575-523-4390, email shelbie.corriz@rrfb.org.
Volunteer link: http://www.rrfb.org/take-action/volunteer-in-albuquerque/.

7. Loving Thunder Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Therapeutic Riding was established by Mike & Twuana Raupp from a personal need for a supported riding environment for their own disabled daughter. Loving Thunder’s mission is to empower and improve the quality of life for people with mental and physical challenges through therapeutic horsemanship, equine assisted activities and educational outreach. LTTR currently serves 50 riders per week. Opportunities are available for horse leading, side walking (assisting riders), horse related jobs and administrative work.
Phone: 505-554-9493, email info@lovingthunder.com
Volunteer link: https://lovingthunder.com/volunteer

8. Meals on Wheels
Location: 5901 Harper Dr NE, Albuquerque, about 35 minutes from Mariposa
Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque has volunteers who staff four sites in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, participate in fundraising activities, work in the Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque kitchen and office, and deliver meals to the homebound to provide social interaction to meal recipients. The organization serves approximately 500 clients, delivers over 140,000 meals a year and has over 400 volunteers.
Phone: 505-823-8060
Volunteer Link: https://mow-nm.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer-opportunities/

9. ReadWest Inc.
Location: 103 Rio Rancho Blvd NE, Suite A5, Rio Rancho, about 20 minutes from Mariposa
ReadWest, Inc. is a non-profit literacy agency providing one-on-one tutoring by trained and certified volunteers. ReadWest has provided over 3,500 adults with literacy services and is expanding to meet the growing needs of the community. ReadWest has served Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties for 25 years.
No teaching experience or foreign language knowledge is necessary. Each ReadWest Tutor receives free training by attending a Tutor Certification Program provided by the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy.
Phone: 505-892-1131
Volunteer Link: https://readwest.org/become-a-volunteer/

10. Adelante
Location: 3900 Osuna Rd NE, about 30 minutes
This organization works to improve the lives of people with disabilities and seniors. Adelante helps people push past social barriers and stereotypes, set goals and move forward in their lives. Adelante began in 1978 with just six clients, all of whom were men with autism. Today, they have a positive impact on over 65,000 people a year including people with a variety of disabilities, the elderly and disadvantaged populations. There are opportunities to become a food donor, create a fundraiser or volunteer to work with people with disabilities.
Phone: 505-341-2000
Volunteer Link: https://goadelante.org/315-2/get-involved/
Got time to volunteer and love to help out? Try out one of the organizations above!