Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission. Together, we can make an even bigger impact in our community!
In 2025, 345 people donated a total of 11,604 hours to Bissell! There are a variety of ways you can get involved too!
Individual Volunteer Opportunities | Group Volunteering | Events | Court-Ordered Community Service | Practicums
Benefits of Volunteering with Bissell
- Work Experience: We can provide a reference after 3+ months of volunteering
- 25% Thrift Shop Discount
- Flexible Scheduling: Use the MyImpact app (available on iOS and Android) to manage your shifts
- Skill Development: Access the same training as Bissell staff
- Sense of Purpose: Contribute meaningfully to your community
- Have volunteer hours verified to meet service requirements.
- Receive volunteer news, event information, and community updates.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
The full list of Individual Volunteer Opportunities is available after registration
APPLY to VOLUNTEER as an Individual Volunteer NOW
Community Income Tax Volunteer – Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity
Help provide financial stability by completing basic tax returns remotely for individuals and families with modest incomes. By volunteering your time, you ensure vulnerable community members can access essential government benefits and subsidies.
Group Volunteering
Groups of up to 10 people at a time are welcome to volunteer and help us meet our mission. Detailed information is coming soon, but you can see our general availability below:
Food Services – Ongoing Group Volunteer Opportunity
Help us eliminate food insecurities by maintaining kitchen cleanliness and safety standards.
- Insight: Typical group shifts are Fridays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
Thrift Shop – Ongoing Group Volunteer Opportunity
Support our social enterprise at our 188 Ave NW location.
- Insight: Opportunities generally available Fridays or Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Events
From time-to-time throughout the year Bissell Centre hosts special events which create volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. Registered volunteers are notified as special events are announced. Some of the ongoing events include:
February – Coldest Night of the Year Walk-a-thon
May – Tushies & Tummies diaper and formula drive
June – National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration
December – Festive Giveaway toy drive
December – Festive Giveaway with Hope Terrace
Court-Ordered Community Service Hours
Bissell Centre welcomes volunteers completing court-ordered community service hours. We offer placements in Food Services and our Thrift Shop, seven days a week.
Food Services
Location: 10527 96 St
Deep cleaning of kitchen, organizing pantry items, storing donations, food prep, washing dishes, and other kitchen duties.
Thrift Shop
Location: 8818 118 Ave
Sorting donations, testing electronics, displaying goods for sale, breaking down boxes, tidying displays, shoveling the parking lot, and more.
Practicums
We work with a variety of students from Grant MacEwan, University of Alberta, and NorQuest. Placements vary each term.
All students must:
- Be 18 or older
- Provide proof of at least two doses of the Covid-19 vaccination
- Provide a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check that is less than six months old.
We also require the following:
- A current Affiliation Agreement (MOU) with the school
- Clarity on the number of hours required within the set period of time
- An outline of what the student is expected to learn
- Contact details of the student’s school supervisor
Please email engagement@bissellcentre.org if you have specific questions.