3000 Galvez Ave

The Community Food Bank began in 1982 with the vision of two local philanthropists, Mr. Arlen and Mrs. Helen Voldness. What began as a simple soup kitchen quickly grew into a food bank when they realized the overwhelming need for food by families in North Texas. Over several changes in locations and even a fire, it finally became The Community Food Bank in 2009. Through all of this, its mission remained simply to end hunger for North Texas families by providing food, education, and resources in a dignified and timely way. Today, The Community Food Bank spans close to 40,00 square feet, with 6,000 square feet of freezer space and 6,000 square feet of cooler space. With this space, it can provide healthy, nutritious food to the many families that need it.

Volunteers will help sort and pack food. Volunteers may also help with other tasks such as lifting boxes or sweeping.

Available dates & times to volunteer:

Friday, November 14th, 3 - 5 pm

Important information for volunteers:

Volunteers must be minimum age 14.

Volunteers under age 18 must have a parent/guardian sign a waiver.

Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. Volunteers may not wear heeled shoes or tank tops, or short shorts. If volunteers wear leggings, the top must cover lower body. Volunteers may not wear earbuds or head phones.

Maximum number of volunteers:

There is a maximum of 25 volunteers for this project.

Getting there:

The Community Food Bank is about a 6 minute drive from the Convention Center.

1840 E Lancaster Ave

The Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) began as the Fort Worth Humane Society in 1905. Its mission is to save, shelter, protect, and advocate for all animals in need in North Texas. They do this by offering services such as low-cost spay/neuter clinics, vaccinations, cruelty and neglect investigation, uniting lost pets with their owners and rehoming in order to end animal cruelty and homelessness in the North Texas area. Their vision is to create a community where “pets and people save each other.”

Volunteers will help with tasks such as:
• laundry
• enrichment prep/handout
• organizing storage areas
• general cleaning
• bathing dogs
• dog walking
• cat/dog socialization

Animal handling will not be a part of the work for volunteers under the age of 18.

Available dates & times to volunteer:

Saturday, November 15th, 9 - 11 am

Important information for volunteers:

Volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.

Volunteers under age 18 must have a parent/guardian sign a Liability Release form upon arrival.

Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, pants that reach to or past the knees, and a shirt that they do not mind getting dirty.

Maximum number of volunteers:

There is a maximum of 15 volunteers for this project.

Getting there:

HSNT is about a 5 minute drive from the Convention Center.

2600 Cullen St

Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) was founded in October of 1982 by a group of Fort Worth residents who were concerned about their neighbors who were hungry. What began as a simple act of compassion and concern for the community has now grown into a three-location organization that 13 counties in North Texas and provides 1 million meals in a week. TAFB’s hope is to create a community where everyone has access to the food that they need.

Volunteers will help with quality control at TAFB’s distribution warehouse. This includes sorting and packing pack fresh produce, nonperishable foods, and household items to prepare them for distribution. Volunteers will also check items for expiration dates, quality, and labels.

Available dates & times to volunteer:

Saturday, November 15th, 1 - 4 pm

Important information for volunteers:

Volunteers must be age 12 or older and minimum 55 inches (4’7”).

For volunteers ages 12-13, one adult chaperone is required for every 1-3 volunteers. For volunteers ages 14-15, one adult chaperone is required for every 1-10 volunteers.

A minor waiver is required to be completed by the parent/guardian of any volunteers under the age of 18.

Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes that cover the entire foot. Sneakers or boots are appropriate.

Volunteers are recommended to wear jeans, long shorts and t-shirts. Short shorts and midriff tops are not appropriate.

Hydration stations are available on-site and volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle.

Please arrive 10 minutes early and enter through the Volunteer Entrance on Vacek Street, then proceed to the Volunteer Sign-In Area.

Maximum number of volunteers:

There is a maximum of 35 volunteers for this project.

Getting there:

TAFB is an 8 minute drive from the Convention Center.

Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St

Cords for a Cause is a fencer-led initiative whose mission is to collect broken fencing body cords, repair them, and provide the repaired cords to fencers and clubs that have limited access to such equipment.

By extending the life of used cords and redistributing them where they’re most needed, we aim to reduce waste and expand access to fencing.

At Cords for a Cause, we believe that no one should be stopped from fencing because of the cost of equipment! What starts as just fixing a few broken cords turns into something bigger….a way to help and support other fencers and - more importantly - a way to make the sport a little more accessible for everyone!

Volunteers will collect left-behind/broken body cords around the competition venue at the end of the day. After collection, the body cords should be dropped off in a box labeled “Cords for a Cause”, which will be located at the armory. Volunteers should take a picture of the collected cords and send it to cordsforacause.fencing@gmail.com.

Available dates & times to volunteer:

November 14 & 15, after 5 PM

November 16, after 1 PM

Maximum number of volunteers:

There is a maximum of 2 volunteers per shift.

Getting there:

You will earn 1.5 service hours for each time you collect cords - all without even leaving the Convention Center!

Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St

Why not start the winter season off by doing something kind for your neighbor and learning a new skill?

Founded in 2022, Knit Knot Knoop’s mission is to educate young people about the homelessness epidemic in a creative way. We knit scarves and donate them to the homeless though our partner organization, Ezra. Knit Knot Knoop was created by Kate Elterman, a women’s epee fencer who wanted to do something kind for the homeless in her community during the pandemic. Kate has taught over 40 fencers how to knit and the organization has since grown to three chapters in the US.

Scarves knitted by Knit Knot Knoop volunteers give homeless individuals the extra layer of warmth they need in the colder months. It’s a layer of love and kindness. We will teach you how to knit and provide all the supplies. This is something that once you learn how to do, you can do at every tournament or in your spare time.

All knitting levels are welcome, from beginner to experienced.

Available dates and times to volunteer:

Sunday, November 16th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Getting there:

We will meet at the USA Fencing check-in desk and work in a quiet space in the Convention Center.

1200 S Main St

The Taste Project is unique in that it doesn’t try to be something it’s not: a food bank or homeless shelter. It is a community restaurant focused on making healthy meals with fresh ingredients. Sound good? It gets even better: people in the community are welcome to dine at this restaurant regardless of how much they can pay - or if they can’t. Because at Taste Community Restaurant, the menu has no prices!

The Taste Project was started in 2012 by Jeff Williams as a way to help others avoid the food insecurity he faced as a child. It has since grown into a thriving neighborhood restaurant - serving delicious meals while supporting the 1.3 million people in DFW struggling to put food on the table.

Here’s how you can help while you’re in town for November NAC: we’re not able to offer this as a volunteer project because of the age restriction, but you can help by eating at the restaurant and paying more than what you would normally pay for a similar meal. It’s called “Pay-What-You-Can” and the Taste Community Restaurant is a part of this network of cafes and eateries.

The Taste Community Restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch:

Tuesday - Friday Breakfast 9-11 am

Tuesday - Friday Lunch 11 am-2 pm

Saturday, Sunday Brunch 9 am - 2 pm

While you’re in the area, stop by and support this incredible organization. You’ll be helping fight food insecurity in the community and enjoying some seriously good food at the same time!

Although not required, reservations are definitely recommended (especially if you’re a large group) and can be made at: https://tableagent.com/dallas/taste-community-restuarant/table-search/