An intentional community supporting people experiencing homelessness near Lake Superior.

The Loaves and Fishes Community in Duluth, Minnesota, is currently looking for new live-in volunteers, as well as local non-residential volunteers.

This long-established intentional community offers family-style hospitality, transitional housing and practical support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Volunteers become part of a community centred on solidarity, simple living, shared responsibility and respect for every person.

About Loaves and Fishes Community

Loaves and Fishes was founded in Duluth in 1989, when its founders opened their family home to refugees and people experiencing homelessness.

Today, the community operates hospitality houses, a free neighbourhood bicycle workshop, community gardens and a street outreach programme. It is entirely volunteer-run and does not receive government funding.

Although its origins are connected to the Catholic Worker Movement, the community describes itself as largely secular in its everyday activities. People with different religions, beliefs, identities and backgrounds participate in community life.

The current community includes adults of different ages, couples, single people, families and children.

The community houses

According to the organisation’s current volunteer call, Loaves and Fishes includes several houses with different purposes:

• Olive Branch House, offering transitional sober housing and drop-in hospitality to women and families experiencing homelessness;
• Dorothy Day House, providing hospitality and support to men;
• Hannah House, connected with foster care and family community life;
• Bread and Roses, used as a volunteer house and community hub where resident volunteers can rest, socialise and spend time together.

Exact accommodation arrangements may depend on current availability. Applicants should ask whether they will have a private or shared room and in which house they would be staying.

Volunteer activities

Activities depend on the current needs of the houses and on each volunteer’s abilities and experience. They may include:

• welcoming and spending time with guests;
• helping prepare and share meals;
• household cleaning and everyday practical tasks;
• supporting activities for children and families;
• gardening and seasonal outdoor work;
• helping maintain the community houses;
• repairing bicycles at the community’s free Bike Cave;
• helping with celebrations, community meals and social activities;
• participating in street outreach, housing advocacy and neighbourhood initiatives.

The community is based on relationships and shared responsibility. This means that resident volunteering is not simply a series of scheduled tasks, but also involves participating respectfully in everyday communal life.

Working hours and time commitment

The organisation’s official volunteer page states that people may join as live-in volunteers for approximately one month or for a much longer period.

For some non-residential volunteering activities, the organisation has described individual shifts of around 3-5 hours. These may involve talking with guests, cooking, cleaning, helping with children or supporting community events.

A fixed weekly number of hours for live-in volunteers is not publicly specified. Resident volunteers should therefore discuss the expected schedule directly with the community before making travel arrangements.

The Catholic Worker volunteer directory indicates that long-term volunteers may combine community life with part-time employment or education of up to approximately 20 hours per week. This suggests that some personal time is available, but it should not be interpreted as a guarantee of a particular volunteering schedule.

Applicants are encouraged to ask about:

• expected weekly hours;
• house rotations and evening responsibilities;
• possible overnight or emergency duties;
• regular days off;
• how responsibilities are shared among community members.

Food and accommodation

Live-in volunteers are offered free accommodation and meals.

The Catholic Worker Movement’s volunteer directory confirms that long-term volunteers are responsible only for personal expenses beyond room and board. Volunteers are encouraged, although not required, to pursue part-time work, education or personal interests alongside their community commitments.

Meals and domestic life are likely to be communal. Volunteers with allergies, medical dietary requirements or other specific needs should discuss these with the host before arrival.

What kind of experience is this?

This opportunity is better understood as participation in an intentional residential community than as a conventional working holiday.

Volunteers may live alongside other community members, families, children and people passing through difficult periods of their lives. Patience, emotional maturity, good communication and respect for privacy are therefore particularly important.

The experience may be suitable for people interested in:

• homelessness and housing justice;
• community living;
• social work and mutual aid;
• nonviolence and social justice;
• gardening and practical maintenance;
• bicycle repair;
• living simply and sharing everyday responsibilities.

Previous professional experience is not publicly listed as a requirement. Reliability, openness to community life and a sincere willingness to support others are likely to be more important.

Location

The community is located on Jefferson Street in Duluth, Minnesota, USA, in a residential neighbourhood close to parks and approximately three blocks from Lake Superior.

Duluth has an active arts and music scene and offers access to the natural landscapes surrounding Lake Superior. Winters can be extremely cold and snowy, so volunteers considering a winter placement should prepare carefully for the climate.

How to apply 📧

People interested in live-in or non-residential volunteering should contact the community directly, introducing themselves and explaining:

• why they are interested in the project;
• their preferred arrival and departure dates;
• whether they are looking for a live-in or local volunteer role;
• any relevant skills or previous experience;
• their expectations concerning community life;
• any dietary, accessibility or accommodation needs.

Sources and further information

• Official Loaves and Fishes volunteer page
• About Loaves and Fishes Community
• Catholic Worker Movement volunteer directory
• Loaves and Fishes Community on Facebook

This volunteer opportunity was brought to our attention through a post shared directly by the organisation in the Voluntouring.org Facebook community.