Volunteer Opportunities

Palatine Township has history of promoting community involvement in government.  The Township has many opportunities for you to get involved and give back to the community. Please review our programs, listed below, to find out where and how you can get involved.  From helping our Food Pantry to working with our Outreach Programs, the Township can provide you an opportunity to give back whether it is helping in our Food Pantry or participating in one of the many Outreach Programs that occur year round.

PALATINE FOOD PANTRY

The Palatine Township Food Pantry provides assistance to anyone in need living within our Township boundaries.  Many clients have traditional families that have had temporary setbacks due to unemployment or illness; single parent families where one income barely pays the rent and senior citizens and the disabled who face spiraling medical costs.  The pantry has served an average of 345 families each month during the past year. Families may come to the Food Pantry every 30 days for groceries, free of charge. Volunteers will assist with sorting food items, checking for expiration dates, discarding expired items, and maintaining the pantry area clean and organized as well as assisting clients with their food selection. Volunteers are required to keep sensitive organizational information confidential and must comply with the policies and procedures of the organization.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Outreach programs are a vital community service provided by the Township. The following programs are coordinated and administered to help families and individuals who are experiencing financial hardship: Easter Basket, Apple Tree, Thanksgiving, Angel Tree and Adopt A- Family. Working with our General Assistance office, churches, and other social service agencies in our area, the needs of clients are identified.  Eligible Outreach recipients must live within the Palatine Township boundaries, and other qualifications include economic guidelines, recommendations by social service agency or school, or resident nomination.  Volunteers will assist with sorting items for programs, assist with distribution of items to recipients including adults and children. Volunteers are required to keep sensitive organizational information confidential and must comply with the policies and procedures of the organization.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for volunteers who would like to make a difference in the lives of Palatine Township residents who are at need. Please confirm that you meet the minimum requirements to volunteer at Palatine Township. (This is different from students volunteering through their schools or those who are seeking volunteer hours for Harper Promise.)

Volunteers must be willing to fill out a volunteer application, sign a confidentiality statement, waiver form, and submit to a background check. There is no time requirement for volunteering.

Volunteer Minimum Requirements

  • I am at least 18 years old.
  • I meet the residency criteria of being a US citizen for at least 1 year, legal resident for at least 2 years, or having a student/workers visa for at least 2 years
  • I will be required to provide personal information (BIRTH DATE, ADDRESS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER)  in order to allow Palatine Township to conduct a thorough background check.
  • You will receive an email from a 3rd party vendor that will perform the thorough background check.
  • The background check will cover a Criminal Background Check and Public Domain Search but it WILL NOT be a credit check.
  • I must complete the attached Volunteer Application, Volunteer Waiver Form and Confidentiality Agreement, and the Hold Harmless Agreement.
  • The completed, signed and dated forms can be dropped off, mailed, or emailed directly to Anna Chychula at achychula@palatinetownship-il.gov

CLICK THIS LINK FOR VOLUNTEER APPLICATION AND FORM