Kansas City offers countless ways for locals to volunteer and support veterans with experiences that go way beyond stuffing envelopes or shaking cans. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves, craft a one-of-a-kind event, or just pitch in for an afternoon, Kansas City’s veteran organizations have a role with your name on it.
Roll Out the Welcome Mat: St. Michael’s Veterans Center
Ever wish your good deeds came with home improvement vibes? St. Michael’s Veterans Center hands out both. Volunteers help welcome home 62 veterans in 2025, serving with paint brushes, hammers, and a warm heart. If you’ve got an afternoon, grab a spot painting interior walls, working basic carpentry, handling electrical tasks, or sprucing up the landscaping. Those food shelves and special events always need extra hands, too.
Want things to run deeper than drywall? SMVC volunteers organize community events, keep the food pantry humming, and dream up new ways to make veterans smile. Even local leadership fans are invited to community engagement strategists, your time to shine is here.
How can you help?
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Donate cash or household supplies for veterans moving in
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Volunteer for a few hours each week or month
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Get your company involved as a sponsor or event host
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Add your expertise to painting, carpentry, or electrical work
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Join the Leadership Council or plan special events
Ready to roll? Fill out the SMVC interest form online or email info@smvets.org. Details pack a punch at the official website: St. Michael’s Veterans Center volunteer info.
Change a Life Brick by Brick: Veterans Community Project
If a hard hat suits your style, Veterans Community Project (VCP) is calling. VCP’s army of over 5,000 volunteers build tiny homes, landscape neighborhoods, staff events, and help run daily tasks to support at-risk veterans. It’s hands-on work, and every hour, wielding a hammer or planting a shrub makes an immediate difference. Last year alone, VCP volunteers spent more than 24,000 hours constructing homes and providing vital services.
Solo volunteers, teams, and even corporate groups are welcomed. Whether you crave sawdust or spreadsheets, VCP has got options:
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Tiny home construction: From framing walls to painting finishes
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Landscaping: Dig in and give these new homeowners a welcome mat of green space
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Event staffing: Pump up attendance, work the crowd, and bring the energy to veteran-focused events
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Office help: Keep things organized and support “behind-the-scenes” work
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Fundraisers: Turn a bake sale, golf tourney, or community night into fuel for VCP missions
To get involved or learn more, check out VCP’s volunteer sign-up.
- Local veterans volunteering at a community event, illustrating the spirit of service in Kansas City. Source: vfw.org
Make Giving Social: Host Fundraisers & Team Events
Want a little party with your philanthropy? Both SMVC and VCP love working with volunteers who crave creative ways to support veterans, such as bake sales, motorcycle rides, golf tournaments, workplace group service projects, or new ideas the community hasn’t seen yet.
Enlist your entire team and build bonds while raising money or rolling up sleeves onsite. Businesses and friend circles are invited to set up group volunteer days, busting out of the typical office grind in favor of positive impact.
Fundraising isn’t just impactful, it can boost your brand and unite people in ways that feel good AND do good. Whether you’re a social butterfly or corporate coordinator, local veterans are ready for your help.
Hands + Heart = Real Change
The best part about volunteering in Kansas City? You’ll meet a crew of passionate people from every walk of life, young, old, experienced, or new, as well as the veterans who are the real stars of every initiative. Many residents at SMVC and VCP volunteer themselves, creating a pay-it-forward cycle that fuels every project.
A few hours each month or week is all it takes. Volunteers assist with everything from food pantries to holiday events, basic repairs to leadership brainstorming. Flex those carpentry skills or practice your people-person talents. There’s literally a job for everyone.
Ready to Start?
Kansas City’s network of veteran organizations are always searching for people with fresh ideas, willing hands, and caring hearts. If you’re interested in making a difference, reach out to either St. Michael’s Veterans Center or the Veterans Community Project.
Show up. Lend a hand. Meet someone new. Help change a life. Kansas City veterans need you, and you’ll love joining these projects.
