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Central Lutheran Church

AnimalsArts & CultureChildrenEducationHealthHungerLife SkillsPovertySenior ServicesSocial Justice & Equality
6425 Tyrone Avenue, Van Nuys, Ca
Phone (818) 785 - 5414
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Our mission

Our mission is to create welcoming, hands-on spaces where neighbors come together to support one another, share resources, and strengthen community. Through service, connection, and care, we empower volunteers to make a direct, local impact in Van Nuys and beyond—fostering dignity, inclusion, and collaboration across all ages, backgrounds, and lived experiences.
Opportunities

Volunteer at RePurpose: Help Launch a Community Shop in Van Nuys

RePurpose: Shop for a Cause is a community-powered charity shop launching at Central Lutheran Van Nuys, designed to serve neighbors while supporting a wide range of essential programs and outreach efforts.

RePurpose helps strengthen ongoing community initiatives including weekly food distribution every Monday, a community garden, AA meetings, free English classes, Zumba classes, back-to-school events, youth programming, and the annual Christmas Joy Toy Shop—serving Van Nuys and surrounding communities.

The shop is open Fridays from 1:00–6:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, and we are actively seeking volunteers to support shop operations during open hours, as well as before and after for setup, merchandising, restocking, and clean-up. In addition, there are weekday volunteer opportunities for processing donations, sorting and organizing items, preparing inventory, and helping keep the space welcoming and well-organized.

Volunteer roles include processing donated items, organizing and sorting inventory, merchandising and visual displays, restocking shelves, maintaining a clean and inviting space, assisting with shop preparation, and supporting relaunch days and special events. This is a great opportunity for hands-on helpers, creatives, organizers, and anyone who enjoys teamwork and community-building.

Bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially encouraged to apply, as they help us better welcome and assist our diverse community.

Volunteer shifts are flexible and available for individuals, students, groups, and community or corporate teams. No retail experience is required—just reliability, a positive attitude, and a desire to support the community. Join us in helping build a space that is inclusive, purposeful, and driven by service at Central Lutheran Van Nuys.
  • Weekly
  • Teens, 21+, 55+, Adults, Child with Adult
  • Individuals, Groups (2-10), Corporate Teams, Families
  • Other, Office work, Event support, Project-based
  • Weekdays, Weekends
Learn More

Back-to-School Supplies DRIVE and Distribution

From NOW through 8/11 Central Lutheran Church-Van Nuys is accepting school supplies for the kids and youth in our marginalized (impoverished) community. Anything helps, and backpacks are a bonus!

Drop off days at 6425 Tyrone Ave., Van Nuys 91401 (enter through gate at Gilmore St. and Tyrone Ave., proceed to Red Door ) are:

Sun 8/6 11:30-12:30 pm

Mon 8/7 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

Tues 8/8 10 am to 4 pm

Wed/ 8/9 6:15 – 7:20 pm (drop off during our Zumba class)

Thurs 8/10 -3 pm – 6:45 pm

Fri 8/11 4-5:30 pm

OTHER RELATED OPPORTUNITIES:

Help us Sort and set up the the school supplies on Friday afternoon 8/11 4pm – 6:45 pm

Help us on 8/12 8:15 am  – 12 noon (includes set-up and clean-up) to host a Fall Back-to-School Fair – you would Guide students through the School Supplies Shop to pick out what they need,

OR help us host some games (under canopies in the parking lot)

OR give out cookies, drinks and possible raffle tickets for graphing calculators.

OR Direct Families to sign in, where to go for the school supplies.
  • One-time
  • Teens, 55+, Adults
  • Individuals, Groups (2-10), Groups (10+), Corporate Teams, Families
  • In Person, Project-based
  • On-site
  • Evenings, Weekends

Helping our Neighbors with FOOD Distribution

Second and Fourth Mondays – we use hand sanitizer first then wearing mask and gloves for the entire process. We unload the Mobile Food Pantry truck of foods – and open the packaging, all wearing gloves. Most items are pre-package during this COVID-19 crisis, so we simply assemble bags and boxes and get them onto the table for pick-up by participants.

We will sanitize tables coming off the truck as we open them up, to limit cross-contaminization.

On 1st, 3rd and when it happens 5th Mondays –
WE Work inside our Hall at 6′ separations to bag food – including fresh fruits/vegetables, dried goods like rice, beans, peas, frozen items like meat or iced treats, and canned goods –
into bags for clients, where we use hand sanitizer first then wearing mask and gloves for the entire process. We will sanitize tables coming off the truck as we open them up, to limit cross-contaminization.

We social-distance ourselves,
packing the bags with spacing between each volunteer around the tables as we pack,
and no more than 3 people will actually pass bags into carts, strollers, etc. to clients. (i.e. only these 3 will have any client contact).

For DISTRIBUTION, We work OUTSIDE, in a parking lot, with open air ventilation. There will be pop-up canopies if the weather is wet or hot, or anything other than high-winds.
  • One-time, Recurring
  • Teens, 55+, Adults
  • Individuals, Groups (2-10), Corporate Teams, Families
  • In Person, Outdoor
  • Weekdays
Items we need

Food Drive: Food Items needed for poor neighborhood (Van Nuys)

Rice, Beans, canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables.

We NOW HAVE both Freezer and Refrigerator space, and can take meats, dairy, and long-storing vegetables like potatoes and onions, and we can take citrus fruits while last longer.

Bring items Mon or Tues 8:30 am – 4:30 pm OR Wed-Fri 12 noon to 4:30 pm to our Gilmore entrance and look for the sign that says “Leave Food Here”.

We have a volunteer nearby who is checking in often to move items indoors, so your donation will be effectively used. KNOCK ON THE RED DOOR if you need someone to put food into the refrigerator or freezer immediately.

If you need to make an appointment, please email [email protected]  or text 925-708-6961

We distribute food WEEKLY in the poorest area of Van Nuys, an urban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. Two of our four weeks are very limited in both what we can give out, and how much we can give each household. We have started a food drive, since many of the items our households need are already restricted in quantities at our local stores. See list ABOVE
  • Item Collection
  • Wishlist – Amazon, etc
Stories

No matches for criteria.
How you help

Central runs because real people show up—and we always need more hands, skills, and hearts in the mix.

Every Monday, volunteers help with our weekly food distribution, assisting with setup, organizing, greeting neighbors, and helping everything run smoothly. This is one of our most consistent and high-impact needs.

We also need volunteers to support our community programs throughout the week, including helping with ESL (English) classes, assisting instructors, or teaching if you have experience. If you’re bilingual in Spanish, your presence is especially valuable across many of our programs.

Creative and tech-savvy volunteers are encouraged to help with social media, photography, video, and storytelling—capturing what’s happening at Central and helping us share it with the wider community. This is perfect for students, creatives, or anyone who enjoys documenting meaningful work.

Hands-on helpers are always needed for event prep, organizing spaces, sorting supplies, garden support, and general behind-the-scenes help that keeps programs running week after week. We also rely on volunteers for seasonal events like back-to-school programs, holiday initiatives, and large community days.

Some people volunteer weekly. Others drop in when they can. Both matter. Whether you like working with people, teaching, creating, organizing, or simply being useful where needed—you’ll find a place here.

If you want to do something tangible, local, and genuinely helpful in Van Nuys, this is it.
About us

Central Lutheran Van Nuys is a community-centered organization committed to serving neighbors with dignity, compassion, and care. We bring people together to support one another, strengthen community, and respond to real, local needs through hands-on programs and volunteer-driven service.

Our work is rooted in inclusion and respect for all people, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance. We welcome individuals and groups from across the community to come alongside us as partners in service—whether you are looking to give back, build connections, or be part of something meaningful.

Central serves a diverse range of neighbors, including individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity, food insecurity, and other challenges, as well as those who simply want to help their community thrive. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and everyone is invited to participate in creating spaces of care, belonging, and shared purpose.