Volunteering in Emerson-Garfield, north of downtown Spokane
About 40 Volunteers Keep Corbin Running. Be the Next One.
Corbin runs on five staff and about 40 volunteers, so a few hours from you puts lunch on the table and keeps the doors open for about 1,400 members.
Lunch does not serve itself. At Corbin Senior Activity Center, 827 W Cleveland Ave in Spokane, volunteers serve lunch four days a week. Corbin has five employees and about 40 volunteers. Serve lunch, help in the Boutique or take on one of the roles below. Apply with one short form, and Corbin will help you pick a day.
What can I do at Corbin?
Lunch service and the Boutique use volunteers today. The rest depend on what Corbin needs and what you are good at.
- Lunch service. Serve soup, the salad bar, the hot entree, dessert and drinks to the lunch crowd. Lunch is at 11:30 to confirm: lunch days and time, four days a week. See how lunch works.
- The Boutique. Help run the shop of donated clothing and accessories, open 10 AM to 2 PM on to confirm: Boutique days. See the Boutique.
- Reception. Greet people at the front desk and hand first-timers their name tags. Volunteer role: to confirm: do volunteers help at the front desk?.
- Tour help. Help with sign-in and keep the group together on day tours. Volunteer role: to confirm: do volunteers help on tours, and how?.
- Event setup. Set up tables and chairs for Super Saturday Bingo, the Mad Hatter Tea and the Spring Fling. Volunteer role: to confirm: do volunteers set up events, and which ones?.
- Teach a class. Got a skill people would sign up for? Teach it. Volunteer role: to confirm: can volunteers propose and teach a class?.
- Drive. Volunteer role: to confirm: does Corbin use volunteer drivers, and what license, insurance and record checks apply?.
Fair warning: the pinochle players will try to recruit you on your break.
Why does Corbin need volunteers?
Corbin is a nonprofit with five employees and about 1,400 members. It serves lunch four days a week, runs a boutique, drives day tours and hosts events and rentals. It costs about $45,000 a month to run, and the City of Spokane pays $31,500 a year (Spokane Journal of Business, Nov 2025). Volunteers are how a small staff covers a big week.
Lunch is a suggested $5 donation, and nobody is turned away. The people serving it see everyone: regulars, first-timers and the person who could not pay that day. A friendly face at the soup line is part of the meal.
How much time does it take?
A lunch shift runs to confirm: lunch shift start and end times. The usual commitment is to confirm: minimum shift and how often volunteers are asked to come.
If you can give one regular shift, say so. If you can only help once in a while, say that too. Both help, and the form asks.
Who can volunteer at Corbin?
Volunteering here suits members and neighbors, and retirees with a free morning. It suits students who want to know people of other ages, and people new to Spokane who want somewhere to be.
Who can volunteer: to confirm: minimum age, and whether non-members may volunteer.
Volunteering is also a good way in if walking in as a guest feels like a lot. You have a job to do and an easy reason to talk to people. If you would rather just come and eat, plan a free first visit instead.
Do volunteers need a background check?
Background check: to confirm: does Corbin run background checks on volunteers, for which roles, and who pays?.
Ask about it when Corbin calls you back, before your first shift.
How do I start?
- Apply. Fill in the contact form. Say you want to volunteer, and name the roles you like.
- Talk it through. to confirm: who coordinates volunteers calls you to match you with a role and a day.
- Take your first shift. Training before your first shift: to confirm: is there an orientation or a shadow shift first?. Then you are on the schedule.
Questions before you apply? Call (509) 327-1584 and ask the front desk.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a Corbin member to volunteer?
Who can volunteer: to confirm: minimum age, and whether non-members may volunteer. Either way, say in the form whether you are a member.
Is there a minimum age to volunteer?
Minimum age: to confirm: youngest age Corbin accepts for volunteers, and whether students can log service hours. Students, mention your school in the form.
How much time do I have to give?
The usual commitment is to confirm: minimum shift and how often volunteers are asked to come. A lunch shift runs to confirm: lunch shift start and end times. Tell us in the form how much time you have.
Will I need a background check?
Background check: to confirm: does Corbin run background checks on volunteers, for which roles, and who pays?. Ask about it when Corbin calls you back.
Can I volunteer if I can only help once in a while?
Say so in the form. One-time help at events: to confirm: do events like the Mad Hatter Tea and the Spring Fling use one-time volunteers?. See what is coming up on the events page.
Ready to be the next one?
Pick a role, or let Corbin pick one with you. Lunch is at 11:30 to confirm: lunch days and time, and the soup line could use you.
Five staff - about 40 volunteers - about 1,400 members
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