Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions
I'm interested in volunteering for the first time. How do I get started?
Fill out a volunteer application and we'll get back to you about our available projects.
Can I volunteer at CUMAC without scheduling a visit?
No, please set up your visit through CUMAC's Volunteer Department.
What are CUMAC's volunteer hours?
CUMAC volunteer hours are held Monday-Friday (9am-3pm), select Saturdays (10am-2pm), and once a month on Tuesday evenings (5pm-8pm). During the months of July and August, CUMAC is closed on Fridays.
What's CUMAC's Saturday volunteer schedule?
CUMAC is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month for volunteering. All projects must be scheduled through CUMAC's Volunteer Department. We recommend scheduling Saturday volunteer dates as early as possible because they are very popular.
When does CUMAC have evening hours?
We reserve the third Tuesday of each month for volunteer evening hours (3pm-8pm).
Can I bring a group with me to volunteer?
Yes, we love volunteer groups at CUMAC! Call our office (973.742.5518) or send us an e-mail (volunteer@cumacecho.org) and we'll help get you scheduled.
How large of a group can I bring to volunteer?
CUMAC is able to accommodate volunteer groups of up to 20 people. CUMAC occasionally can accommodate groups of over 20, but please call our office to learn more.
Is there an age requirement for volunteers?
Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age unless a special case is approved by the Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteers between the ages of 12-17 must have one adult chaperone per 5 participants.
I'm interested in holding a food/clothing collection. How do I set that up?
Call our office (973.742.5518) or send us an e-mail (volunteer@cumacecho.org) and we can help get you started. For more information, check out The ABC's of Holding a Food Drive.
I'm holding a food drive. Is CUMAC able to pick up the food?
Yes. With ample notice, CUMAC is able to pick-up food and clothing collections in most cases. It's difficult for CUMAC to schedule a pick-up outside of a 10 mile radius of Paterson, but exceptions can be made for large collections. Call our office (973.742.5518) to schedule a pick-up.
I'm holding a food drive. Can I drop off the collection?
Yes, food can be dropped off during regular warehouse hours. We recommend calling ahead to schedule a drop-off time as availability of space and time is subject to change.
What does a typical day volunteering look like?
To start, volunteers are welcomed by CUMAC's Volunteer Coordinator, are prompted to sign in for the day, and are taken on an educational tour of CUMAC's programs and operating space. Once settled, volunteers are set up with a project and staff support person to ensure a day of fun and great output. Be warned, you're likely to hear a lot of "thank yous" as you go through your day from CUMAC's ever-appreciative staff!
Does CUMAC have a parking lot for volunteers?
Yes, but parking is limited, so please carpool when possible. For parking instructions, please see our driving directions.
Is CUMAC hard to find?
Not at all! CUMAC is just blocks away from Route 80, Route 4, and the Garden State Parkway. We are located in downtown Paterson, across the street from Passaic County Community College. With its large cornucopia mural facing cross-street, Memorial Drive, and our name written across the building on Ellison St, CUMAC is easy to locate for first-timers. Check out our driving directions for more info.
Fill out a volunteer application and we'll get back to you about our available projects.
Can I volunteer at CUMAC without scheduling a visit?
No, please set up your visit through CUMAC's Volunteer Department.
What are CUMAC's volunteer hours?
CUMAC volunteer hours are held Monday-Friday (9am-3pm), select Saturdays (10am-2pm), and once a month on Tuesday evenings (5pm-8pm). During the months of July and August, CUMAC is closed on Fridays.
What's CUMAC's Saturday volunteer schedule?
CUMAC is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month for volunteering. All projects must be scheduled through CUMAC's Volunteer Department. We recommend scheduling Saturday volunteer dates as early as possible because they are very popular.
When does CUMAC have evening hours?
We reserve the third Tuesday of each month for volunteer evening hours (3pm-8pm).
Can I bring a group with me to volunteer?
Yes, we love volunteer groups at CUMAC! Call our office (973.742.5518) or send us an e-mail (volunteer@cumacecho.org) and we'll help get you scheduled.
How large of a group can I bring to volunteer?
CUMAC is able to accommodate volunteer groups of up to 20 people. CUMAC occasionally can accommodate groups of over 20, but please call our office to learn more.
Is there an age requirement for volunteers?
Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age unless a special case is approved by the Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteers between the ages of 12-17 must have one adult chaperone per 5 participants.
I'm interested in holding a food/clothing collection. How do I set that up?
Call our office (973.742.5518) or send us an e-mail (volunteer@cumacecho.org) and we can help get you started. For more information, check out The ABC's of Holding a Food Drive.
I'm holding a food drive. Is CUMAC able to pick up the food?
Yes. With ample notice, CUMAC is able to pick-up food and clothing collections in most cases. It's difficult for CUMAC to schedule a pick-up outside of a 10 mile radius of Paterson, but exceptions can be made for large collections. Call our office (973.742.5518) to schedule a pick-up.
I'm holding a food drive. Can I drop off the collection?
Yes, food can be dropped off during regular warehouse hours. We recommend calling ahead to schedule a drop-off time as availability of space and time is subject to change.
What does a typical day volunteering look like?
To start, volunteers are welcomed by CUMAC's Volunteer Coordinator, are prompted to sign in for the day, and are taken on an educational tour of CUMAC's programs and operating space. Once settled, volunteers are set up with a project and staff support person to ensure a day of fun and great output. Be warned, you're likely to hear a lot of "thank yous" as you go through your day from CUMAC's ever-appreciative staff!
Does CUMAC have a parking lot for volunteers?
Yes, but parking is limited, so please carpool when possible. For parking instructions, please see our driving directions.
Is CUMAC hard to find?
Not at all! CUMAC is just blocks away from Route 80, Route 4, and the Garden State Parkway. We are located in downtown Paterson, across the street from Passaic County Community College. With its large cornucopia mural facing cross-street, Memorial Drive, and our name written across the building on Ellison St, CUMAC is easy to locate for first-timers. Check out our driving directions for more info.