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We Love Volunteers

150 Volunteers Across Our Various Programs

“Volunteering at Mustard Seed has not only allowed me to contribute to a worthy cause but has also enriched my own personal growth. It has given me the opportunity to develop new skills, broaden my perspective, and deepen my understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in our community. I will carry these experiences with me throughout my life and continue to advocate for those in need.” – Cayla Brendell.

Here at the Mustard Seed Street Church, we love volunteers who are kind, eager to serve and have a heart for the community.

We are now recruiting volunteers for our food bank, kitchen and hospitality programs. See more below.

Welcome to our Mustard Seed Volunteer Event Season! We have six wonderful events planned this year, each offering unique ways to spread hope and joy across our community. Below, you’ll find descriptions and sign-up links for each opportunity.

 

We’re so looking forward to meeting you all and working together throughout this holiday season.
 
And one last note: if you’d like to be on our waiting list for the event you signed up for, please ensure you’re available on the days the events take place. Thank you for your flexibility and support! 
🎶 Christmas Celebration Luncheon 2025
Help us kick off the season with one of our most heartwarming traditions; the Christmas Celebration Luncheon! We’ll welcome 400 community members for a day filled with great food, live music, and festive cheer. Volunteers will help serve meals, greet guests, and share in the spirit of compassion and togetherness that makes this event so special.

📅 Date: Saturday, November 29th, 2025 — 11:00 am–5:00 pm
📍 Location: Bay Street Armoury, 715 Bay St, Victoria, BC V8T 4L8
📍 Dishwasher Role: The Mustard Seed Street Church, 625 Queens Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 1L9
🕒 Shifts: All Day
👉 [Sign Up Here]
🎁 Christmas Hamper 2025
Help bring Christmas joy to more than 1,200 households across Greater Victoria! Volunteers play a vital role in preparing, organizing, and distributing hampers filled with food or help our guest with selecting gifts. Whether greeting guests, sorting items, or restocking shelves, your time and care help make Christmas brighter for so many in need.
 
📍 Location: The Mustard Seed Street Church, 625 Queens Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 1L9
🗓 Family Day: Saturday, December 13th — 8:30 am–5:00 pm
🗓 Singles, Couples & Multi-Adult Families: Wednesday & Thursday, December 16th–17th — 8:00 am–5:00 pm
🕒 Shifts: Morning & Afternoon
👉 [Sign Up Here]
🎀 Gift Wrapping 2025 (Hillside Mall)
Bring the spirit of the season to life and help spread Christmas joy at our Gift Wrapping Fundraiser! Each beautifully wrapped gift supports The Mustard Seed’s mission to fight hunger and restore hope in Greater Victoria. Volunteers will greet shoppers, wrap gifts by donation, and share holiday cheer with everyone who stops by our festive pop-up booth.

🗓 Dates: Friday, December 12th – Wednesday, December 24th — 9:30 am–6:00 pm
📍 Location: Hillside Mall, 1644 Hillside Ave #21, Victoria, BC V8T 2C5
🕒 Shifts: Morning, Afternoon,
👉 [Sign Up Here]
🎄 Hope Store 2025 (Mayfair Mall) NEW!
Join us in spreading holiday cheer at the Hope Store, a new fundraiser that helps raise awareness and support for those facing food insecurity in Greater Victoria. Volunteers will welcome shoppers, share information about The Mustard Seed’s community programs, and help collect donations that make a real difference for families in need this holiday season.
 
🗓 Dates: Friday, December 12th – Wednesday, December 24th — 9:30 am–5:30 pm
📍 Location: Mayfair Mall, 3147 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8Z 6E3
🕒 Shifts: Morning, Afternoon, Evening
👉 [Sign Up Here]
🍎 Booth @ Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse NEW!
Join us in spreading holiday cheer while supporting your community at this festive market, hosted by Make Share at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. The event features local artisans, warm cider, and community fun; with our Mustard Seed booth joining this year’s celebration. Volunteers will help raise awareness and support for those facing food insecurity in Greater Victoria by welcoming guests, sharing information about The Mustard Seed’s community programs, and collecting donations that make a real difference for families in need this holiday season.
 
📍 Location: Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1T7
🗓 Dates: Saturday & Sunday, December 6th–7th — 10:30 am–4:15 pm
🕒 Shifts: Morning & Afternoon
👉 [Sign Up Here]
🎅 Santa Parade 2025
Join The Mustard Seed as we spread warmth, joy, and holiday cheer at the Victoria Santa Parade! Volunteers will help bring our festive van to life by walking alongside the vehicle, handing out candy, serving hot chocolate, and collecting food donations along the parade route. It’s a fun, high-energy way to represent The Mustard Seed and celebrate the season with our community.
📍 Marshalling Area: Belleville St, in front of the Legislature
📍 Parade Route: Wharf St → Johnson St → Government St → Centennial Square
📅 Date & Time: Friday, November 29th, 2025 — 2:00 pm–7:00 pm
🕒 Shifts: Afternoon & Evening
👉 [Sign Up Here]
 

Food Bank, Kitchen & Hospitality:

 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. If you are at least 16 years of age, and would like to volunteer, please fill out the application form below. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities by checking out the links below and  more about our program by reading our volunteer handbook. If you have questions, please email volunteer@mustardseed.ca. Our volunteer manager will be happy to assist you.

 

Please note the days and times we operate as listed in our program areas below.

 

APPLY NOW

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers – with your help we nurture faith, hope and love across the community!

Food Bank

Christmas Events

Hospitality Centre

Food Security Distribution

The Volunteer Process

what to expect

01.

Apply

 

Apply online or fill out an application onsite. We are currently placing volunteers in weekday roles at our Food Bank, Hospitality Centre, and Kitchen.

02.

Interview

 

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email to schedule an interview with our Volunteer Coordinator. Interviews can be done in person or online — in person is preferred as it helps better orient you to the environment you’ll be volunteering in.

03.

Criminal Record Check (CRC)

 

If you already have a CRC that allows you to work with vulnerable populations and youth, we can place you right away.
Otherwise, during the interview, we’ll ask for your permission to submit a CRC on your behalf. Once granted, you’ll receive an email from the CRC program with instructions to complete the process. It typically takes 2–3 weeks.

04.

Onboarding

 
Once we receive your CRC, we’ll email you with a list of available positions. After confirming your role, you’ll receive an onboarding package that includes our handbook, training materials, and helpful information for your first day.

05.

Get Started

 

On your first shift, the department manager will welcome you and provide full training for your new role.

Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities

Apply Now

We are now recruiting volunteers for Christmas Events and at our Queens Avenue location (food bank, kitchen and hospitality programs) during the day and on weekdays. At this time, we don’t have availability on weekends or for the Food Security Distribution Centre. Please email volunteer@mustardseed.ca if you would like to be placed on a waitlist. 

Food Bank (625 Queens Avenue, Victoria)

Do you wish to serve families and individuals suffering from food insecurity? Our food bank volunteers assist staff in collecting, sorting and providing food donations to our community. Shifts are normally between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Learn more about our food bank positions below:

Hospitality Centre (625 Queens Avenue, Victoria)

If your heart is to serve the street entrenched and most vulnerable in our community, our hospitality department welcomes you. Volunteers can help cook and serve meals, help sort and provide clothing, provide spiritual care and so much more. We have awesome events including board games, bingo, and movie nights. Shifts are normally between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Friday. Learn more about our hospitality volunteer positions by clicking the links below:

Food Security Distribution Centre (808 Viewfield Road, Esquimalt)

If you love getting tasks done and being in a welcoming environment, our warehouse is the place for you. With 10 000+ pounds of food coming in daily, our volunteers help sort, clean, glean and prepare food to be rescued and provided to our hospitality centre. Shifts are normally between 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday to Fridays. Learn more about our Distribution positions by visiting the links below:

Hope Farm (3504 Drinkwater Road, Duncan )

By volunteering with Hope Farm, you’ll be directly contributing to the fight against food insecurity. Every task you complete, whether it’s harvesting, planting, or seeding, plays a crucial role in supporting people in need across the Cowichan Valley. Volunteering at Hope Farm is a wonderful opportunity to grow your horticultural knowledge!