For high schoolers looking to finish up their community service hours, there are plenty of easy projects they can do in a short time. From delivering meals to elderly neighbors or helping out at a local animal shelter, here are 20 easy community service hours ideas for high schoolers.
Related: How to Become a Volunteer EMT (for High School Teens and College Students)
20 Easy Community Service Hours High Schoolers Can Do
- Organize a Clothing Drive for a Local Homeless Shelter or Charity Organization.
- Spend an Afternoon Volunteering at a Local Soup Kitchen.
- Help with a Beach or Park Cleanup Effort.
- Collect Donations for a Local Food Pantry.
- Help Out Your Local Animal Shelter.
- Read to Children.
- Bake Sale.
- Teach English as a Second Language to Immigrants.
- Tutor Younger Students in Need of Extra Help.
- Create a Garden at an Area School or Community Center.
- Provide Transportation to Elderly Neighbors and Others in Need.
- Participate in a Trash Pickup Event.
- Become a Volunteer Coach for a Local Sports Team.
- Create and Deliver Care Packages to Those in Need.
- Visit Nursing Homes and Spend Time with Residents.
- Help Out at a Local Library or Senior Center by Reading to Patrons.
- Donate Your Time to a Local Non-profit Organization or Charity.
- Do a Charity Race.
- Do a Fundraising Campaign for Your Birthday.
- Participate in a Tree-Planting Initiative in Your Community.
1. Organize a Clothing Drive for a Local Homeless Shelter or Charity Organization.
There are lots of families in need of clothing and other essential items. Organizing a donation drive is a terrific way to give back to homeless families. It will provide individuals with the clothes they need to stay warm or cool and boost their self-esteem by providing them with quality clothing items.
2. Spend an Afternoon Volunteering at a Local Soup Kitchen.
Volunteering at a local soup kitchen is a great way to better understand how many people don’t have access to regular sustenance. You’ll get to meet new people, foster loving relationships, learn about different cultures, and feel the satisfaction of giving back.
3. Help with a Beach or Park Cleanup Effort.
Beaches and parks are places of beauty, but they can quickly become filled with garbage if not properly taken care of. Helping with a beach or park cleanup is an easy way to ensure these places remain beautiful and safe for tourists.
4. Collect Donations for a Local Food Pantry.
Your local food pantry is a place that provides food to those in need due to job loss or disability. Collecting donations for a local food pantry is an easy way to help more people have access to healthy food.
Not only will you be helping local veterans and families in need, but you’ll also be teaching younger generations the importance of giving back to those in your local community. You can even invade your own pantry and donate some of the non-perishable items you have at home.
5. Help Out Your Local Animal Shelter.
Animal shelters need help ensuring that the animals get the care they need. Volunteering at one is a fantastic way to do just that. You’ll get to spend time with animals, learn about different breeds, and help out in any way you can. Plus, you’ll be contributing to the collective effort of taking care of animals in need and giving them a better life.
6. Read to Children.
Reading to children is an excellent experience because you get to positively impact their lives. It helps foster a love for reading and instills values like responsibility, empathy, and kindness. You can volunteer in a library or school or even offer to do readings at children’s hospitals or homeless shelters.
7. Bake Sale.
Organizing a bake sale is not only an awesome way to raise funds for a worthy cause but also a great way to meet new people in your community. You can bake goodies from home or even ask local bakeries to donate items for the sale. It’s an easy way to involve local businesses in a charitable cause and do something you enjoy doing.
8. Teach English as a Second Language to Immigrants.
Helping immigrants learn English allows them to communicate more effectively in their new home and also helps them achieve their dreams. You can teach classes at a local non-profit organization or even offer private tutoring sessions to individuals.
9. Tutor Younger Students in Need of Extra Help.
Tutoring is a great way to help out students needing extra help. You can tutor younger students with schoolwork or teach them basic math or reading skills. Plus, you’ll get to watch their confidence grow as they learn and master the material.
Related: How to Begin a Business as a Teenager: Best Tips for Teens in Business in 2023
Would you like to learn about Impressive Teen’s $1000 merit-based scholarship opportunity? Check out the eligibility requirements here.
10. Create a Garden at an Area School or Community Center.
Creating a garden in your local community promotes healthy eating habits and environmental awareness. You can teach younger generations the importance of eating locally grown, organic produce and the impact of sustainable gardening practices.
11. Provide Transportation to Elderly Neighbors and Others in Need.
Providing transportation to elderly neighbors and others in need is a superb way to give back to your community. It will help them reach their appointments and other essential places with ease.
You’ll get to meet the trailblazers that made modern life as we know it possible. Not to mention, you can make a real difference in their lives, all while learning more about your local community.
12. Participate in a Trash Pickup Event.
Participating in a trash pickup event is an easy way to help your local community. You can join organizations like Keep America Beautiful or pick up litter in your neighborhood. It will help the environment and give you the opportunity to get involved with local initiatives.
13. Become a Volunteer Coach for a Local Sports Team.
Becoming a coach for a local sports team can be an exciting experience. You’ll get to teach kids valuable skills like teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. Plus, you’ll get to have fun with the team and help them reach their goals.
14. Create and Deliver Care Packages to Those in Need.
Creating and delivering care packages to those in need shows your commitment to the community. You can assemble items like toiletries, books, or other necessities and deliver them to people who need them most.
15. Visit Nursing Homes and Spend Time with Residents.
Visiting nursing homes and spending time with the residents allows you to listen to their stories, share a meal, or provide comfort and companionship. It’s the prime opportunity to brighten someone’s day and show them how much they matter.
16. Help Out at a Local Library or Senior Center by Reading to Patrons.
Helping out at a local library or senior center by reading to patrons is an easy way to give back. You can read stories, teach lessons, or advise those in need. You can bring joy, support, and comfort to those who need it most.
17. Donate Your Time to a Local Non-profit Organization or Charity.
Donating your time to a local non-profit or charity is a terrific way to give back. You can help with fundraising events, volunteer activities, or other initiatives.
18. Do a Charity Race.
Doing a charity race is an easy way to get involved with your community. You can run, walk, bike, or swim for a cause you care about. You’ll get to meet like-minded people, raise money for a good cause, and stay active while doing it.
19. Do a Fundraising Campaign for Your Birthday.
Doing a fundraising campaign for your birthday is an easy way to improve the world. You can use platforms such as Facebook, GoFundMe, or JustGiving to reach out and raise money for a charity of your choice. You’ll be getting other community members involved in a cause bigger than yourself.
20. Participate in a Tree-Planting Initiative in Your Community.
Participating in a tree-planting initiative in your community helps the environment by enhancing the wildlife habitat and contributing to the world’s ecosystem. You can join a local organization or start your own and work together to make the world greener.
Related: 10 Best Volunteer Opportunities for Teens They’ll Love
Are you seeking support to help your child prepare for the SAT/ACT college prep tests as well as college applications? We have partners that can help you! Check out our test prep resource listings here.
Easy Community Service Hours for High Schoolers
With these easy community service hours ideas, high schoolers can make a difference while earning their required service hours. Here at Impressive Teens, we know that whether they’re helping out at a soup kitchen or organizing a clothing drive, these activities teach teens the importance of giving back and positively impacting their local community.