Volunteer

Volunteer ImageMcFarland Senior Outreach relies on our fabulous crew of dedicated volunteers to be able to provide the services and programs for older adults in the community. We are always recruiting volunteers for our team.

If you would like to devote some of your time and energy to support seniors, email McFarland Senior Outreach or call at 608-838-7117. 

All volunteers must fill out the following two forms. Additional forms may be required for some volunteer positions. We partner with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County for volunteer coordination, training, and insurance.


  1. Volunteer Stories

Meals on Wheels Driver

Volunteer drivers deliver meals to homebound seniors Monday through Friday for the noon-time meal. Our service area includes the Village of McFarland as well as the Town of Dunn and the Town of Pleasant Springs. Each day we serve between 60 to 75 meals on five different routes. The delivery drivers pick up individually packaged meals from the McFarland Municipal Center (5915 Milwaukee Street) on a staggered schedule between 10:50 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The routes each take between approximately 60 to 90 minutes in length to complete. Volunteers indicate if they would like to volunteer for a regular shift(s) or serve as a substitute driver as needed. Additional liability insurance is provided. Mileage reimbursement is available. 

Driver Escort for Medical Appointments

Volunteers for the Driver Escort program transport seniors to and from medical appointments. This may include primary care, dental, physical therapy, etc.. This is only for non-urgent medical care. Seniors need to be able to get into and out of vehicles with minimal assistance. Appointments must be between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The volunteers submit general availability and if a request is made, volunteers may accept or decline the ride. Drivers and passengers for the Driver Escort program are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and complete the HIPPA form.

Kitchen Assistants

Volunteers help to portion and package bulk meal items for Meals on Wheels recipients who receive the noon-time home-delivered meals. Kitchen assistants also help to set up and serve the in-person meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Volunteers arrive at the Municipal Center at 10:30 a.m. Commitment is usually one hour to 90 minutes per day. At this time we are recruiting for a substitute Kitchen Assistant to fill in shifts as needed. 

RSVP Foster Grandparent Program

The Foster Grandparent Program is seeking volunteers to engage with young students at the Conrad Elvehjem Primary School in McFarland. The program offers adults, age 55 and older, the opportunity to share their time, knowledge, and life experience as a mentor and a role model to elementary-aged children in a school setting. No experience is necessary, just a desire to help! Foster Grandparents are caring individuals who devote 5 hours or more a week helping children become motivated learners and succeed in life. If income-eligible, volunteers are paid a tax-exempt stipend and travel costs. For more information, call 608-238-7787 or visit www.rsvpdane.org

Coffee Hour Assistant

Volunteers help to set up, serve and clean up for our monthly Coffee and Conversation Group.  Assistant arrives at 8:30 a.m. and shift is completed by 10:30 a.m. The group meets at the McFarland Municipal Building Community Room during cold months and at local park shelters during the warm months. 

Newsletter Volunteers

McFarland Senior Outreach mails up to 500 newsletters every month. Volunteers help to collate, fold, tape, and label newsletters to mail. Flexible scheduling. We are also looking for a newsletter courier who can distribute newsletters to local businesses and senior housing.

*NEW* Senior Social Group Facilitator

McFarland Senior Outreach would like to foster opportunities for seniors to connect and socialize, both virtually and in-person. If you would like to help build community with other seniors, and are savvy with online media, this might be the perfect opportunity for you! Meetup is an online service that provides a forum that we are eager to try. There are many other Meetup groups that exist in the Madison area, but we would like to create a group specific to McFarland-area older adults. McFarland Senior Outreach would host several in-person (pending COVID-19 status) get togethers throughout the year. Our goal, over time, is for this to be a catalyst for social connections amongst seniors who may then have a platform to advocate and implement recreational and social activities of their choosing. This would not be a dating website, nor would this be exclusive to singles. Visit the Meetup website for information.

Games Coordinator

Would you like to gather with seniors to play cards or other games? Euchre, bingo, rummy, bridge... the possibilities go on and on. If you enjoy non-competitive game play, consider volunteering as the Games Coordinator at McFarland Senior Outreach. The coordinator plans and manages a weekly meeting. McFarland Senior Outreach will provide the space and the materials.