Volunteer
Make a difference with Matthew House Ottawa
Our work wouldn’t be possible without our team of dedicated volunteers.
Whether you’re moving furniture for a family in need or supporting a refugee claimant with nowhere else to go, your support helps to rebuild lives.
I joined Matthew House Ottawa two years ago because I wanted to see hope in action.
— Furniture Bank Volunteer
Volunteering as a group?
Whether you want to bring a few friends or the whole office, we’ll find the best way to accommodate your group for a meaningful day of giving back to the community.
To volunteer as a group, share your request with volunteer@matthewhouseottawa.org
Volunteer opportunities
After applying, you can expect to hear from our team within 7 business days.
Most of our volunteer positions require a Vulnerable Sector or Criminal Records Check. We will share more information about this with you when we receive your application.
Please note that we may not be able to accommodate all requests to volunteer. We truly appreciate your willingness to serve, and thank you for reaching out.
Furniture Bank
Through our Furniture Bank, we help furnish homes for those rebuilding their lives—newcomers, low-income families, and individuals transitioning from homelessness.
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You will work in our furniture warehouse, helping behind the scenes to furnish the homes of individuals and families in need.
You would be asked to:
Load and unload furniture from truck
Move furniture around warehouse
Clean furniture and warehouse
Help with minor repairs
Receive furniture donations
You may also be asked to:
Assist in truck, from time to time
You would need to have:
Excellent people skills, and a reliable team player
Good communication skills
Attention to detail
Ability to be patient with a non-judgmental attitude
Ability to lift 50-75 lbs
Steel-toed boots (recommended)
Positive and friendly attitude with a desire to serve the community
Passion for the mission of Matthew House Ottawa to help our marginalised population establish safe, healthy and dignified homes.
Availability: Minimum 3- 6 hours/week (Monday to Friday)
Commitment: Ongoing (minimum 6 months commitment)
Language preference: English (essential), French (preferred)
Location: Matthew House Furniture Bank Warehouse, 340 Legget Dr, Door 53 -
Client Services Support is the face of the Furniture Bank: walking clients through the showroom and warehouse, helping them select furniture and household items, and facilitating a dignified, supportive experience. This role helps ensure that clients feel empowered, respected, and supported as they furnish their homes.
Key Responsibilities
Greet clients warmly and orient them to the showroom/warehouse
Assist clients in selecting items suited to their needs (size, function, condition)
Tag and record all items selected by clients
Receive donations from clients or donors when needed
Unpack, sort, clean, and shelve items in the showroom
Maintain cleanliness, order, and presentation of showroom and warehouse
Collaborate with the donation sorter/warehouse team to ensure selected items are available
Provide friendly, respectful service, answering questions and offering assistance
Qualifications & Attributes
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Patience, empathy, sensitivity to clients’ dignity and circumstances
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multitask
Basic organization, attention to detail, and comfort with tracking/logging items
Willingness to assist with light physical tasks (e.g. moving small furniture, unpacking)
Alignment with Matthew House’s values: service, respect, compassion
Availability: Minimum one day/week (Mon to Fri, e.g. 9 a.m.–3 p.m)
Commitment: Ongoing (minimum 6 months)
Location: Matthew House Furniture Bank Warehouse, 340 Legget Dr, Door 53 -
The Donation Sorter plays a vital behind-the-scenes role: receiving, sorting, inspecting, and preparing donated household items so they can be made available to clients in need. This helps ensure that only quality, functional goods move forward in the process, maintaining dignity for clients and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Receive and unload donated household items
Inspect donations for damage, cleanliness, and functionality
Sort items into categories
Pack ready made kitchen boxes for clients
Discard, recycle, or set aside items beyond repair according to guidelines
Assist with moving items within warehouse or to staging areas
Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of sorting and storage areas
Collaborate with other volunteers, warehouse, and client services teams
Qualifications & Attributes
Reliability, punctuality, strong work ethic
Attention to detail and great organizing skills
Ability to follow direction, guidelines, and safety procedures
Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a team
A non-judgmental, respectful, and client-centred attitude
Commitment to Matthew House’s mission of dignity, service, and caret goes here
Availability: Minimum 3- 6 hours/week (Monday to Friday)
Commitment: Ongoing (minimum 6 months commitment)
Language preference: English (essential), French (preferred)
Location: Matthew House Furniture Bank Warehouse, 340 Legget Dr, Door 53 -
You will pickup and deliver furniture throughout Ottawa, helping to furnish the homes of individuals and families in need.
Your would be asked to:
Load and unload furniture from truck
Communicate with donors and clients
Assist the driver, and be 2nd set of eyes on the road
Assist in warehouse as needed
You may also be asked to:
Serve clients
Unpack and shelve donations
Clean furniture and space
You would need to have:
Excellent people skills, and a reliable team player
Good communication skills
Attention to detail
Ability to be patient with a non-judgmental attitude
Ability to lift 50-75 lbs
Steel-toed boots (recommended)
Positive and friendly attitude with a desire to serve the community
Passion for the mission of Matthew House Ottawa to help our marginalised population establish safe, healthy and dignified homes.
Availability: Minimum 3- 6 hours/week (Monday to Friday)
Commitment: Ongoing (minimum 6 months commitment)
Language preference: English (essential), French (preferred)
Location: Matthew House Furniture Bank Warehouse, 340 Legget Dr, Door 53
Refugee Services
Through our Refugee Services, we offer shelter, meals, and compassionate support to refugee claimants arriving in Canada with no sponsors and nowhere to turn.
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As a Volunteer Cook, you are responsible for preparing and serving a meal for Matthew House Ottawa Refugee Services residents and volunteers on a weekday evening. Groceries are provided for the cook to prepare a balanced meal that includes a protein, vegetables, and starch (rice, potatoes, or pasta). You will receive orientation and training, and coordinate with other team members.
You would be asked to:
plan, prepare and serve a balanced meal to a group of 8-15 persons (depending on location)
You would need to have:
The ability to practice patience with a non-judgmental attitude
Good communication skills in English, French or both languages
Police Records Check (Level 3 - Vulnerable sector check)
Passion for the mission of Matthew House Ottawa to welcome and support refugees
Availability: Ideally, 1 evening/week (Monday-Friday)
Commitment: Ongoing (minimum one year commitment)
Language: English (essential), French (preferred)
Apply here
Meet our people
Get to know some of the incredible volunteers helping us provide home, community, and dignity to neighbours in need.
