You know you want to volunteer. You know when someone asks you what you did this weekend, it would…read morebe cool to say, "I helped pack meals for the homebound for Project Open Hand" or "I helped with some cleanup at Literacy for Environmental Justice". But you don't feel like you have enough time. Hands On Bay Area is such a cool vehicle for volunteering without commitment. Sign up, show up, do your 2-3 hours and go home. And if you find a project you really love, you can volunteer every month (most are recurring) or contact the agency to become a regular volunteer. I do wish they had more things I could do with my very young girls. I want to raise them to enjoy volunteering, and most of these projects only welcome older children. But we did do a "With Seniors" visit and a good time was had by all. Our new elderly friend Dorothy really connected with my 5 year old daughter. Meet great people, give back to the community, have fun doing it.

**************** REVIEW 427 ******************…read more I've been with Hands on Bay Area when it was Community Impact in Mountain View in 1999. Hands on Bay Area offer volunteers many options of the volunteer opportunities that match their interests, such as: - Adult education and literacy, - Animal support, - Children & youth (- Enrichment and recreations, tutoring, etc) - Community enrichment, - Environment, - Heath & wellness, - Homelessness and Hungers, You can choose from location different counties such as: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marine, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, & Santa Clara Counties! HOBA has a great website, that user friendly, you can RSVP your project that fits you & they email you the info and also reminder for you! You don't need any skill to volunteer! Hands on Bay Area website makes it really easy to do it & if you are new, they will make you go to an orientation, but it's easy & you get to meet many wonderful hearts just like yourself! So lend a hand, make a different in your community!

Best place to donate men's clothing and know they're going where needed most. The donation process…read moreis a little complicated in that the street is actually closed to traffic. Someone at the head of the block will move the barrier and let you pass. Then you drive up to the building and if necessary someone will roll out a giant cart (like the kind you see laundry in a a big hotel) to help unload your car. Then you can feel like you did a good thing!

I attended this program for over a month. I maitained sobriety, attended and participated in every…read moreclass and diligently completed my chore/work assignments. Unfortunately there were some other clients with personal and mental issues that told lies about me to mislead my counselor, Mr Ken Campbell. I have a sleeping disorder that inconvenienced others and because of this they tried to make me out as disruptive There was no evidence of me doing anything wrong whatsoever. I was physically and violently approached twice because of my disorder by others and the counselor Ken said that I was the one causing issues which is far from the truth, totally unprofessional and quite unacceptable. If you must attend a program try a different one then this one. Thanks.

I had been looking for a new dog for sometime. I had specific criteria as I already had an 8 year…read moreold rescue pit bull. I had had her since she was 9 weeks old and I knew what she would like. I searched on line many times and then I found her. Grateful Dog were fostering her and when I met her it was an instant and I think mutual attraction. She is now part of the family. Many thanks to Lauren and Maria for helping me through the process.

We adopted a wonderful Chihuahua named Georgie from Grateful Dog Rescue in mid September 2025…read more If I could give them 10 Stars I would. Not wanting to be redundant, all the reviews below Express every reason why I recommend and wholeheartedly appreciate the amazing people at Grateful Dog Rescue. They go above and beyond to provide healthy pets for adoption (vet examined, spaded/neutered, teeth cleaning and if necessary extract decay/ broken teeth, and all vaccinations. They also make sure all animals are chipped and provide the information for you to register the chip in your name. PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT!

Ruth Brinker started Project Open Hand in 1985 to provide meals to neighbors suffering from AIDS…read more Seven neighbors receiving food made with love became her mission where people with AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses as well as the elderly now receive meals and groceries. Seeing my son's ample free time one summer and the need for volunteers, I signed up my son for 10-15 hours a week. After school started, he continued volunteering 3 hours a week, filling in shifts as needed during breaks including holidays. It's not glamorous work, weighing and vacuum sealing beans, rice, chicken and other groceries, but it's important work: I emphasize that people rely on him to receive nutritious food they might not otherwise have. Giving back, caring about people, making time for others less fortunate, being selfless- these are qualities I've instilled in my son. He now enjoys the work, it feeds his soul. I'm proud he volunteers weekly for Project Open Hand for almost two years.

Here is a gem of a org that doesn't boast enough of its amazing work! they strive to provide some…read moreof the healthiest meals in the community. Big difference from the other non-profit food providers. The times that I have volunteered there, you get a sense that the employees really are passionate about their work.

I have been a Volunteer 10 years of now. The CEO Dawn ,Ron Delvin& the entire staff. Are truly by…read morefar amazing the loyality, kindness the programs that they teach kids. From 14-24-are beyond awesome. It has change my life I grew up with both parents. Nice home&:cabin in Bear Valley/ My dad wk for Delta Airlines 36 years. Travel 1st- class. These kids who come into SYS have had some rough hard times. Whenever they are making music recording . Moe teaching High School to cook/ clean. To prepare them for jobs All kids that I've seen they love it. I admire the entire staff. Being a Volunteer it's work. I love it every time. I go in clean it all makes sense when you see what this place is truly all about. I want to continue to donate$$to see place continue to help kids. To become better to get hired. I have met people in their late 30's. To come in say Hi they tell me they were@ SYS. When they were 12 ! I love hearing wonderful uplifting stories. Hats off to CEO/ Staff

This place is incredible the way they deal w/ kids and families. It seems to be full of love and…read morethey have the knowledge to work w/ the system and get kids the help needed - in a compassionate way. I had the opportunity to attend their event last year and I am just so impressed with the staff of Sunset Youth Services. Apparently they deal with families all over the city, not just in the Sunset as one might suspect. Bravo to the whole group in having the courage to tackle these real life issues like drugs, violence, abuse, and prostitution that many of these children deal with everyday. Can you imagine the pressure of that? We all need a force such as this staff to exert intellect wrapped in love to effect the hearts of our kids and the capacity to advance them into mature people that give back to society. I know there are several people that have gone there - and gone on to live successful lives supporting there own familys, and giving back to the community. It's awesome.

So impressed by the compassionate treatment of residents here. Truly amazing work on a shoestring…read morebudget.

I love Raphael House! I used to know it well. The brothers and the sisters there are wonderful…read more The food was fantastic. It's been a long time since I've seen it. I would love to visit again~ soon!

Great seeing that food assistance is available for those in need living in the Outer Richmond…read more Fresh Eggs and Produce, plus bagged groceries. Registration might be required so check in for requirements, dates, and hours. I noticed the Food Bank team setting up on Tuesday, and on this date a volunteer advised that new participants could sign up after 3:30pm. But like I said, confirm current status of this location if living in the 94121 zip code.

They have been providing food at my building since the pandemic. I am grateful. Made my life…read morebetter. By fighting malnourishment, they are also fighting pandemic diseases!

SF Rock Project is truly a gem of a music school. The level of instruction is really high and the…read moremy kids absolutely love it. They create a really fun vibe there and they seem to really understand preteens\teenagers. My daughter attended a summer camp there a few summers ago and I was amazed at the progress they made by the end of the week. After that, she started taking private lessons and also joined a few of their projects. Pre-Covid, she was performing with her band a lot and it was great experience for her. My younger son is also taking private lessons there now and attending the summer camps. Rock Project has helped him find a love of music too. One last thing about Rock Project: they have a seriously impressive list of musical alumni . . . A LOT of people in the Bay Area music scene, got their start at Rock Project. They are definitely doing something right.

When the SF branch of the original School of Rock was shuttered, The San Francisco Rock Project was…read moreput together as a nonprofit almost immediately to continue to provide an outlet for this incredibly talented group of kids... now headquartered in the same building as historic Maritime Hall, this group will eventually blow away any of the other legacy branches of the School of Rock

A great place to find recovery. The staff are friendly and welcoming and they have many types of…read more12 Step meetings. From 6 am to Midnight. A superb resource for the community.

They saved my life in 1986. I still go to 6 am meetings. Love to everyone who enters the doors of…read morethe Drydock. Love you Sandy and everyone! Jennifer Murnin

My husband and I worked with La Cocina to cater our wedding this fall and they were such a delight…read moreto work with! From the start, they were so supportive and collaborative in making sure we had an amazing taco bar for our wedding reception. Closer to our big day, they were flexible and helpful in making sure we had solid rental partners as well as an incredible ice cream bar. Major shout-out to Carrie for all of her help in making our big day so seamless with delicious food! And of course, major thank you to Mi Comedor and De La Creamery for an amazing dinner and dessert offering!

La Cocina just catered a 2 day 170+ person event for us in SF at Fort Mason. Food was amazing…read more Staff were amazing. The food business that did each meal were incredible and each brought their own personal flare and magic. Highly recommend for any catering needs! We will definitely work with them again.