Opportunities From: Pope Francis Center

Welcome to PFC! Every morning, our mission is driven by volunteers who serve breakfast and lunch, manage laundry and showers, distribute hygiene items and clothing, and much more for over 200 guests each day. When you arrive for your shift, our staff will walk you through the day and assign tasks.

To familiarize yourself with the various volunteer roles, please review the following documents prior to your first shift:

Food Service

Front Office & Showers

Laundry Service

Volunteers are asked to wear long pants and closed toed shoes.

We're located at 438 Saint Antoine St. in downtown Detroit. Complimentary volunteer parking is available at the UDM Law School gated parking lot, located on Larned directly across the street from the Center. Enter the Center near the courtyard between UDM Law School and Ss. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church.

Corporate, parish, community, and college groups are welcome to volunteer together by clicking "Respond as a Team" below.

*Click here to learn more about PFC: The Pope Francis Center

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Garceau Jr., Volunteer Coordinator at pgarceau@pfcr.org of 313-782-4793. 

The Kitchen Assistant volunteer shift take place during daily service from 8:30am-11:30am. This opportunity is ideal for experienced volunteers or first-time volunteers who signing up for multiple consecutive shifts.

Volunteers will help with washing dishes and general food prep to support Chef Shawn, our Kitchen Manager. Your service as a Kitchen Assistant helps support the health and nutrition of hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness each day and improve the sustainability practices of the center!

*Click here to learn more about PFC: The Pope Francis Center

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Garceau Jr., Volunteer Coordinator at pgarceau@popefranciscenter.org or 313-782-4793.

Pope Francis Center will be highlighted as the Charity of the Game as the Detroit Tigers take on the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, September 18 at 1:10pm at Comerica Park.  During the game, PFC representatives will be asked to sell tickets for the 50/50 raffle, with a proceed of the sales being donated to PFC! We're looking for the help of 12-15 volunteers to join us in selling raffle tickets during the game.

Volunteers are required to sell raffle tickets through the 7th inning stretch. After that, you're welcome to enjoy the rest of the game from a seat in the park! (We'll provide you with a complimentary ticket!)

Attire: Please wear presentable pants/shorts, closed-toe & COMFORTABLE shoes/sneakers, and either a shirt or jacket that is plain, PFC branded, or Detroit Tigers branded.  Detroit Tigers or PFC hats are welcome (if you need a PFC hat, let me know!)

Food will NOT be provided; be sure to eat ahead of time. Water bottles will be provided, and water filling stations are located throughout the park.

As an additional bonus, the highest seller in the group will receive an autographed prize!!

Volunteers must be age 18+.

Bagel Pickup Instructions:

1. Pick up bagels from Einstein's Bagels in Grosse Pointe Woods, located at 19341 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. You're welcome to call ahead to confirm by calling Tom at (586) 243-0618. In consideration of Tom and his staff, it's best to pick up bagels as early as possible, so anytime after 5:45am.

2. Drop off bagels at our location at Ss. Peter & Paul Church (438 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226) during service hours, from 7am-11am. The best place to drop them off is the brown unmarked side door off of Larned Street. Park on the street next to the side door, near the bus stop, and knock on the brown door. Staff or security are always seated just inside the door so knock loudly and they will receive the donations.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Garceau Jr., Volunteer Coordinator at pgarceau@pfc.org or 313-782-4793.

Donation Pickup Instructions:

1. At café closing time at 9 pm*, pick up leftover bagels and bread from Panera Bread in Royal Oak, located at 30955 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073, near Beaumont (Corewell) Hospital. Simply approach the staff upon your arrival and let them know you are picking up for the End of Day DOUGH-Nation Program. For reference, the Partnership Agreements are linked below. Keep these links handy in case you are asked for verification.

*Please note - this location has a new closing time!  

Partnership Agreement - MONDAY

Partnership Agreement - THURSDAY

2. At your convenience the following morning of pick up, drop off bagels at our location at Ss. Peter & Paul Church (438 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226) during service hours, from 7am-11am. The best place to drop them off is the brown unmarked side door off of Larned Street. Park on the street next to the side door, near the bus stop, and knock on the brown door. Staff or security are always seated just inside the door so knock loudly and they will receive the donations.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Garceau Jr., Volunteer Coordinator at pgarceau@pfc.org or 313-782-4793.