12 Places Where You Can Volunteer & Give Back To The Community
No matter how big or small, here are meaningful ways you can support others.
By Tamara Jayne — 19 Dec 2024, 01:30 PM
Volunteering doesn't always require grand gestures — sometimes, the smallest acts can make the biggest impact
Whether it's lending a hand for a few hours or contributing your skills in a meaningful way, there are countless opportunities to support and uplift your community.
1. Kechara Soup Kitchen
What they do: This organisation supports the homeless and underprivileged by providing meals, basic necessities, and other support services to improve the lives of those in need. In addition to food distribution, Kechara works on long-term solutions to uplift and empower the individuals they serve.
How you can help: Volunteer to help prepare and distribute meals, participate in outreach programmes, or assist with administrative work. Kechara also accepts donations of food, clothing, and funds to support their ongoing efforts.
Contact: Visit their website to sign up for volunteering opportunities or drop them a message on WhatsApp.
2. SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
3. Epic Homes
What they do: Epic Homes is a social enterprise dedicated to building homes for the Orang Asli community in Malaysia.
Their mission involves working with volunteers to build homes for disadvantaged families, creating a sense of community, and fostering social change through active participation in the construction process.
How you can help: Volunteer to assist in home building projects, contribute to fundraising activities, or join their community outreach programmes. Epic Homes also invites individuals to share their skills, time, and resources to help improve the lives of Orang Asli families.
Contact: Check out their website or follow them on social media to learn more about how to get involved.
4. Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled
What they do: This non-profit organisation empowers and supports individuals with disabilities. They provide a range of services including training, therapy, and employment assistance to help people with disabilities live independent and fulfilling lives.
How you can help: Volunteer your time to assist in workshops, outings, or teaching basic skills.
Contact: Find out more on their official website.
5. The Lost Food Project
What they do: The Lost Food Project is a non-profit that focuses on rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to communities in need.
They work with supermarkets, food manufacturers, and other suppliers to save food that would otherwise go to waste and ensure it reaches low-income families, charities, and food banks.
How you can help: Volunteer to help sort, pack, and distribute rescued food, or assist with events and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about food waste and hunger.
Contact: Visit their volunteer page for more information on how to get involved or to sign up as a volunteer.
6. Food Aid Foundation
What they do: Food Aid Foundation collects surplus food from manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and food service providers, then channels it to those in need, reducing food waste and addressing hunger. They also accept non-perishable food and grocery donations from the public.
How you can help: Help sort and pack food items or participate in food distribution drives.
Contact: Sign up via their social media platforms or website.
7. Teach For Malaysia
What they do: Teach For Malaysia aims to address educational inequality in Malaysia. They recruit and train talented individuals to teach in underserved schools, empowering students to achieve their full potential.
Through their fellowship programme, Teach For Malaysia provides education and leadership opportunities to fellows while working toward long-term systemic change in the education sector.
How you can help: Volunteer as a mentor, support the organisation's programmes, or contribute to their community initiatives. Teach For Malaysia also invites passionate individuals to apply for their fellowship programme to make a direct impact in the classroom.
Contact: Explore volunteering opportunities on their website.
8. Global Environment Centre (GEC)
What they do: GEC focuses on environmental conservation, including river restoration, forest protection, waste management, and climate action.
How you can help: Join tree-planting events, clean-up activities, or contribute to awareness campaigns.
Contact: Visit their website to find ongoing projects.
9. Befrienders
What they do: Befrienders provides free and confidential emotional support for those in distress or facing mental health struggles.
How you can help: Train to be a volunteer listener or help raise awareness about mental health.
Contact: Get in touch through their website.
10. Pertiwi Soup Kitchen
What they do: Pertiwi Soup Kitchen serves meals to the homeless and underprivileged communities in Kuala Lumpur.
In addition to meal distribution, Pertiwi offers social outreach and support services to help those in need regain stability.
How you can help: Volunteer to help prepare and distribute meals or assist with organising food supplies.
Contact: Visit their website to sign up to be a volunteer.
11. Zoo Negara
What they do: Malaysia's national zoo cares for a wide range of animals and focuses on conservation and education.
How you can help: Become a zoo volunteer to assist with animal care or help with educational programmes.
Contact: Visit their website to apply.
12. PAWS Animal Welfare Society
What they do: PAWS is a non-profit dedicated to rescuing abandoned, abused, and stray animals. They provide shelter, medical care, and rehoming services to ensure the wellbeing of animals in need.
How you can help: Volunteer to help with animal care, donate food or funds, or foster animals awaiting adoption.
Contact: Visit their website or follow their social media pages for volunteering details.
