Summer in Boston is a beautiful time to soak up the sunshine, reconnect with the community, and make a real difference, especially outdoors. At Boston Cares, we believe service is not just impactful. It can also be joyful and social. Whether you have a green thumb or just love being outside, there’s a way for you to lend a hand this summer. Here are three upcoming opportunities where your time and energy will go a long way:

Shawmut Gardens Clean-Up

Help keep local green space beautiful and accessible by joining our clean-up crew at Shawmut Gardens in Dorchester. Volunteers will assist with weeding, planting, and general tidying to ensure this beloved community garden remains a welcoming spot for residents. No gardening experience necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get your hands a little dirty! 
Sign up here »

Grow Food for Hunger Relief at Gaining Ground Farm

Join us in Concord at Gaining Ground, a nonprofit organic farm that donates 100% of its produce to hunger relief organizations. Volunteers play a critical role in helping plant, weed, harvest, and prep crops for distribution to families across Greater Boston. You’ll not only support food justice but also enjoy the peace and rhythm of working the land.
 Sign up here »

Love Your Block: Four Corners Main Street

Be part of the movement to beautify Boston neighborhoods! At the Love Your Block event in the Four Corners area, volunteers will clean up streets, plant flowers, and paint to revitalize the commercial district. It’s a great way to roll up your sleeves and see immediate results—all while helping strengthen community pride and safety. 
Sign up here »

Farmers Market Volunteering Opportunities

Summer is the best time of year to enjoy fresh produce while connecting with your local community. Here is a short list of outdoor market volunteering opportunities that you can sign up for this July, rain or shine!

1. Copley Square Farmers Market: Support Massachusetts farmers by volunteering at the Copley Square Farmers Market! Volunteers will assist with moving supplies, setting up market stands, and coordinating with the Market Manager to ensure all operations run smoothly. 
Sign up here »

2. Fish and Farm Market: Volunteering at the Fish and Farm Market at Boston Fish Pier offers a unique opportunity to uplift local agriculture and seafood industries. Volunteers will help set up the market, greet guests, assist vendors, and in the process learn about local food systems. 
Sign up here »

3. Central Square Farmers Market: As a volunteer at the Central Square Farmers Market, you will help serve the Cambridge community by providing produce and food access programming. Volunteers assist by supervising the market and welcoming customers. While not necessary, any fluency in Chinese/Mandarin, Haitian-Creole, or Russian is very useful! 
Sign up here »

Why Volunteer Outdoors This Summer?

Volunteering in the summer is a win-win. You get to:

• Enjoy the sunshine and warm weather
• Connect with other like-minded Bostonians
• Support local green spaces and food access
• Reduce stress through physical activity and nature exposure

Whether you come solo, bring a friend, or organize a group, your time is a gift to the community—and we’re so grateful to have you with us.

Ready to Make a Difference?

These opportunities (and many more) are live now on the Boston Cares calendar. Sign up today, lace up your sneakers, and be a part of something bigger this summer.

Find more opportunities at BostonCares.org »

Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the community—one garden, one meal, and one block at a time.