ReStore employee transporting a large corporate donation

Every volunteer helps build a better future.

Volunteers are the heart of the ReStore, playing a vital role in Habitat’s local homebuilding mission.

Volunteering at the ReStore is rewarding in so many ways — connect with people, meet new friends, and make a difference in our community. When you give your time to Habitat for Humanity, you give local families the opportunity to build a better foundation through affordable homeownership.

Why volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore?

Shifts are flexible and scheduling is a breeze.

With our online scheduling portal, VolunteerHub, it’s easy sign up for shifts that fit your schedule — whether it’s for an entire day, just a few hours, here and there, or a recurring time slot.

No matter your skillset, there's something for everyone.

From customer service to furniture assembly, the ReStore offers various volunteer options geared toward your interests and skills. Best of all, no experience is necessary.

Support Habitat's local affordable homeownership efforts.

By lending your time and talents to the ReStore, you help San Diego Habitat allocate more resources to support homebuilding and preservation projects that benefit families in our community.

Looking for something different?

View more volunteer opportunities ➜

Volunteering at the ReStore is great for:

  • Individuals
    Come by yourself and leave with new friends and a sense of accomplishment.

  • Folks with limited time
    Can’t spend an entire day on the build site? The ReStore offers shorter, flexible shifts.

  • Student volunteers
    Need a break from studying? Join us for a meaningful breather.

  • Meeting new people
    Start the day with a group of strangers — and end it with hugs and high-fives.

  • Groups
    The ReStore is a favorite for corporate team building, civic, and faith groups.

  • Recurring shifts
    Come back as often as you’d like! Experienced volunteers can get a lot done in one shift.

  • Community service hours
    Complete community service hours while contributing to local housing solutions.

  • Specific interests
    Learn more about a busy retail operation or even how to repair and upcycle home goods.

You don’t have to lift a hammer to help.

Put your talents to work at the ReStore. Whether you enjoy interacting with the public or prefer working behind-the-scenes, we have a volunteer opportunity for you.

Merchandising

Some of our stores function as boutiques and need a little “zhuzhing” to stay in tip-top shape.

Assisting drivers

Prefer a one-on-one experience? Hop on a truck and spend the day with one of our awesome drivers.

Donation intake

Our trucks pick up new items every day. With three locations, it’s a big job, and you can help!

Organization

Stock shelves, price items, and take inventory —everything your inner Marie Kondo loves.

Furniture assembly

Secretly love to assemble IKEA furniture? Put those instruction-following skills to work.

Administrative duties

If sweat wasn’t exactly what you had in mind, we’ve got paperwork and phone calls to make, too.

DIY projects

Upcycling gently-used items gives them a better chance at renewed life. Bring your creativity!

Customer service

Assist customers with donation drop offs or finding just the right item for their project.

New volunteer?

Returning volunteer?

Ready to invest your time in our community?

Need more help?

View more FAQs here, or email us at volunteerservices@sandiegohabitat.org.

If you wish to volunteer at the ReStore, you may get started right away by creating a VolunteerHub account. Please note that to join us on the construction site, we ask that you attend an orientation prior to or within the first month of volunteering.

Our three ReStore locations are open Tuesday through Saturday. Full day (9am-4pm) and half day (9am–12:30pm / 12:30pm–4pm) shifts are available and flexible to fit your schedule.

Wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. ReStore warehouses aren’t heated or cooled, so dress accordingly. Pack your own lunch and bring a water bottle. Tools and safety equipment are provided, if needed.

The day begins with an orientation and tour of the ReStore. Tasks at the ReStore include helping to organize the store, receiving donations, pricing items, light construction, furniture assembly, and helping customers. In addition to in-store shifts, there are shifts available to be a driver’s assistant. Driver’s assistants go on the truck with our drivers to make deliveries and pick up donations.

You don’t have to lift a hammer to help build a home! Habitat ReStore volunteers bring new skills and build capacity to help provide discounted building materials and home goods to the community. Habitat uses funds raised by the ReStore to help families build and repair homes.

By giving your time and talents, you can help the Habitat ReStore do more to support homebuilding projects that benefit families in our community.

Absolutely! Our four-hour shifts are perfect for groups of 5-10 individuals. To arrange a time, fill out our Group Interest Form here.

Important: Groups must bring one chaperone for every five volunteers under the age of 16. Please see below for more age-related volunteer requirements.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old to volunteer at the ReStore. Volunteers 17 years old and under must bring a Minor Permission Form signed by a parent/guardian. This form is also available for download upon registering for a VolunteerHub account.

Individual volunteers aged 14 or 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian — if arranging a group activity, please note this on the Group Interest Form so we can arrange a youth activity.

Please fill out our Court-Mandated Community Service Application to apply to fulfill your community service requirements with San Diego Habitat.

We reserve the right to deny community service volunteers who have committed certain offenses. Due to the volume of requests, our volunteer opportunities are on a first come-first served basis, and we are unable to guarantee a specific number of hours of service in advance.

Don’t dump it, donate it!

Your donations build houses.

San Diego Habitat for Humanity ReStores are home improvement retail and donation centers with a simple premise: by selling new and gently used donated items, we can fund the construction and preservation of homes throughout San Diego County.

view donation guidelines
We accept new and lightly-loved appliances, building materials, furniture, and more!