Volunteer

Make a Difference with Community Bridges

Volunteers are the heart of Community Bridges, helping us deliver vital services across Santa Cruz County. With 10 programs operating at 20 locations, there are countless ways to get involved from delivering meals to seniors, distributing food to families, or tutoring students in our after-school programs.

If you’re 18 or older, applying is easy:

Volunteers under 18 must submit their application in person. Download our online application by clicking on the links below:

How You Can Help

Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County

Make a meaningful impact by delivering meals and companionship to seniors in need. With 1,700 seniors relying on our services, your time helps foster independence, dignity, and community.

  • Deliver Meals: Provide essential nutrition and friendly visits to seniors across Santa Cruz County. Flexible routes fit your schedule.
  • Senior Dining Sites: Assist in the kitchen or serve meals at locations in Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz, or Watsonville.
  • Support Operations: Help with logistics at our headquarters to ensure efficient meal delivery to local seniors.

Elderday Adult Day Health Care

Empower local older adults: At Elderday, we provide exceptional day services for adults with complex medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, dementia, and more. But Elderday is about more than health care — it’s a place where connection and creativity thrive.

We’re seeking volunteers to share their talents:

  • Teach art, music, yoga, Zumba, and writing classes.
  • Support staff-led activities such as crafts, dancing, karaoke, or reading groups.
  • Lead beginner English classes.

Mountain Community Resources – Felton/San Lorenzo Valley

Distribute food to families: In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, we provide free supplemental groceries and promote nutritional awareness to support our community. Join us every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM to access fresh, healthy food and helpful resources for you and your family.

Nueva Vista Community Resources – Santa Cruz

Tutor low-income children: Join us at the Beach Flats Community Center in empowering local elementary and middle school students with homework assistance across all subjects. Our after-school program provides a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and build confidence.

La Manzana Community Resources – Watsonville/Pajaro

Mentoring at-risk youth: The Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy combines a competitive soccer program with academic support to empower at-risk youth in Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley. We actively seek volunteers year-round to provide tutoring and mentorship, helping participants succeed both on and off the field. Your involvement can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these young athletes as they strive for academic and personal growth.

Help feed local students: Each summer, we provide nutritious lunches to children in South Santa Cruz County through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Our Summer Lunch initiative ensures that kids who might not have access to meals while school is out receive balanced and healthy food. Join us in supporting the health and well-being of local youth by volunteering to serve meals and make a positive impact this summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit communitybridges.org/programs to explore each program’s mission, vision, values, and the communities we serve.

Our team works with vulnerable populations every day. Background checks help ensure the safety and well-being of our participants, reflecting Community Bridges’ commitment to trust, integrity, and our core values.

Wear professional, workplace-appropriate clothing. Avoid items that are political, offensive, or insensitive.

It depends on the role. Volunteers like drivers, musicians, or teachers may benefit from prior experience, while others will receive training directly from our staff.

For general inquiries, call us at 831-688-8840 or email recruitments@cbridges.org. For specific program questions, ask our front desk to connect you with the appropriate team member.

🌟 Thank You, MCR Food Pantry Volunteers! 🌟Every Thursday morning, our incredible volunteers at Mountain Community Resources show up with heart and hustle—making sure our neighbors have access to fresh, healthy food. Over the past year, more than 600 community members came through our pantry doors, and thanks to these amazing folks, we were able to distribute over 9,000 bags of food. 💪🍎🥕To show our appreciation during Volunteer Month, we treated our team to a well-deserved pizza party—courtesy of Justin Acton and Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub—and gifted them some Community Bridges swag. Just a small token of our huge gratitude.From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all you do. Our community is stronger, healthier, and more connected because of you. ❤️#VolunteerMonth #ThankYouVolunteers #CommunityBridges #MountainCommunityResources #FoodPantryHeroes ... See MoreSee Less
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1 week ago

Community Bridges / Puentes De La Comunidad
Save the Date!🌾🍴This June, Farm to Fork marks its 10th year of bringing people together to support local families, farmers, and food justice.Since 2016, this signature event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund Community Bridges programs that provide access to critical services—from senior adult day health care, home delivered meals, and reliable transportation, to parenting and literacy classes, early childhood development, case management, and much more.Join us for a night where every bite makes a difference.Saturday, June 28, 2025 | Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr, Aptos | 5-9 p.m.Tickets at: Communitybridges.org/events Enjoy fresh, locally-sourced food, expertly paired wines, an exciting live auction, and stories that remind us what’s possible when a community comes together. ... See MoreSee Less
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CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE(S) TODAY TO OPPOSE CUTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANTS AT 202-224-3121Script @ mealswhls.org/4j7mHPiThis week, the House passed the Senate’s budget blueprint that could lead to cuts to #MealsOnWheels and other senior programs. It’s a concerning step — and we want to keep you informed.📞 One way to help today? Call your lawmakers using our script:mealswhls.org/4j7mHPi ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank You to Our April Community Champions! 🌟Sonja Brunner of the Santa Cruz City Council and Krista Jett of the Scotts Valley City Council. ... See MoreSee Less
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Pajaro Valley Collaborative press conference 4/15/2025. ... See MoreSee Less
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