Volunteering serving meals

The Joy of Volunteering

MorningStar Mission depends on the volunteers who serve our guests, pack items for distribution, teach, counsel, work our thrift stores and more. We welcome individuals, families, and groups. Whatever your interest, talent, and time availability, we’ll help you get plugged in!

Woman serving food at cafe

Volunteer to
Serve a Meal

Fill up a tray with delicious food in our East Side Cafe and serve guests. Volunteer cooks are also always needed.

Basket distribution volunteer

Volunteer for
an Event

Throughout the year there are multiple opportunities to help with donation events and distribution of items to support those in need.

Volunteers at the Joliet Treasure Chest Thrift Store

Volunteer at
Our Stores

Help patrons at our Joliet or New Lenox Treasure Chest thrift stores find the items they need and help with intake of donated items.

Ozinga volunteers

Volunteer for
Our Community

Join us in cleaning up our communities. We organize events to enhance the appearance of where we live, learn, worship & play.

Serve at the Holidays

Kids at Easter Food Basket Distribution

Easter

Distribute Easter Baskets and food baskets to families in the community. The food box contains a complete holiday meal to over 300 families.

Thanksgiving food shopping

Thanksgiving

Each year we help over 400 families to receive food baskets. The food box contains the complete holiday meal and approximately 200 lbs. of food.

Boy with presents at Stars of Hope event

Christmas

Our Stars of Hope program provides presents for qualifying families through donor purchased gifts. Each year, over 400 families receive food baskets and presents.

And These Seasonal Events!

Girl with backpack full of school supplies

Jump on the Bus

Back to School
Jump on the bus is a school supply program. Families register their students and we contact the school and get the list required for that class. We adopt that out along with clothing for the child. Each child will receive their full list of school supplies, a backpack, shoes, socks, underwear. A complete outfit and a jacket. We distribute school supplies and full outfits to over 500 children in the community. This program is available to all qualifying families in the surrounding communities of Will County and the Heritage Corridor.

Shop with a Sheriff program

Shop With a Sheriff and New Lenox Shop with a Cop

Holiday Gift Shopping

  • Our Shop with a Sheriff and New Lenox Shop With a Cop program has a two-fold purpose. First to help low income youth have a positive experience with a local police officer. Secondly, to help youth in our communities afford gifts for the parents and siblings during the Holiday season.
  • Youth are matched with Will County Sheriff Police or New Lenox Police Officers and given a gift card to go shopping with at Christmas, along with a pizza party.
  • This program is available to all qualifying families in the surrounding communities of Will County and the Heritage Corridor.