Volunteer Service
For the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry (SHL), volunteerism is more than just doing good deeds—it’s a core value that puts our principles into action. By serving others, we strengthen our communities, foster connection, and live out our commitment to empathy, reason, and shared responsibility. Service benefits not only those we help, but also those who serve, offering new skills, meaningful experiences, connection to others, and personal growth. Our volunteers work to create a welcoming, vibrant community for non-religious people in the Lowcountry and to serve the needs of our members. But our commitment to service doesn’t stop there. Volunteerism is a core secular value, and we actively create opportunities for SHL members to make a positive impact in the broader community as well.
Last updated 2025-10-12
Regular Service Opportunities:
Service to SHL Community
SHL is an all-volunteer, member-supported organization with no paid staff. Everything we do — from planning events and building community to organizing outreach and advocacy — happens because members step up to help. We’re always looking for passionate people to plan and carry out activities, as well as those with professional skills such as accounting, web design, marketing, graphic design, social media, photography, videography, and communications. Whether you want to pitch in at an event or put your expertise to work behind the scenes, your time and talents can make a real difference in building and strengthening our community. If you’re ready to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!
Food Distribution with Park Circle Cares
On the 3rd Saturday of the month, SHL volunteers with Park Circle Cares, a non-faith based, non-profit organization created in 2016 to assist people in the lowcountry who struggle with food insecurity. Park Circle Cares is a member agency with the Lowcountry Food Bank, and distributes 120-150 thousand pounds of food each year. What makes them unique among the many organizations working on the widespread problem of food insecurity in our community is that they only distribute healthy and nutritious foods, 75% of which is produce. Healthy dry goods and proteins make up the remainder. Sign up for the next food distribution on our Meetup page.
Adopt-A-Highway
Once a quarter, on a Sunday morning while many are in church, we put our values into action by serving the community through our Adopt-a-Highway program. Armed with safety vests, trash bags, and a commitment to a cleaner environment, we spend the morning picking up litter and making our shared spaces better for everyone. It’s a simple, visible way to show that humanists care — and that good works don’t require a pew. Sign up for our Volunteer Network mailing list or for text notifications to be notified when the next service is announced.
Lowcountry Foodbank
SHL is volunteering to work at the Lowcountry Food Bank, located at 2864 Azalea Dr in Charleston, on the second Tuesday of the month from 1 – 3 PM. Volunteers work in the warehouse, helping to inspect food donations, sort fresh produce, and pack food, ensuring that it is ready to be distributed throughout the community. Sign up for our Volunteer Network mailing list or for text notifications to be notified when the next service is announced.
Sign up for our next regular volunteer service opportunities on our Meetup page.
Past Volunteer Service:
Lowcountry Food Bank (April 2026)
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026 eight humanists worked with volunteers from Pure Insurance to pack over 900 "backpack buddies"--bags of snacks that are given to school children that may not have food at home. We volunteer at the food bank on the second Tuesday of every...
March 2026 Adopt-A-Highway
Nine secular humanists spent Sunday morning, on March 22, 2026 picking up trash from the side of the road, in service to our community.
March ’26 Feminist Magic Market
We tabled at the Feminist Magic Market in Park Circle on Saturday, March 21, 2026. In addition to raising awareness for the secular community in Charleston, our Secular Families group introduced a children's table and a photo booth.
Lowcountry Food Bank (March 2026)
Ten secular humanists worked with other volunteers to bag sweet potatoes at our monthly volunteer shift at the Lowcountry Food Bank on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
February 2026 Adopt-A-Highway
On February 22, 2026 eight members of the SHL community came out on a Sunday morning to be of service--doing something that actually makes the world better--picking up trash along our designated section of Azalea Drive in North Charleston. Due to inclement weather...
Lowcountry Food Bank (February 2026)
Nine Secular Humanists worked along side a huge crew of volunteers from FedEx at our February shift at the Lowcountry Food Bank, packing "Backpack Buddies"--bags of snacks that are given out children that may not have access to food at home. We prepared 1,380 Backpack...
Lowcountry Food Bank (January 2026)
We had 11 volunteers for our monthly shift at the Lowcountry Food Bank on January 13, 2026. Some of us bagged or boxed sweet potatoes, while others packed Good Cheer boxes.
Lowcountry Food Bank (December 2025)
On December 9, 2025, five members of our community showed up for our monthly volunteer shift at the Lowcountry Food Bank. Two of us helped pack "Good Cheer" boxes of food to be delivered to families in need, while the other three worked to quality check and sort...
Nov ’25 Feminist Magic Market
On Saturday, November 22, 2025 we tabled at the Feminist Magic Market in Park Circle, spreading joy while raising awareness of our vibrant secular community in the Lowcountry.
Lowcountry Food Bank (November 2025)
11 members of our community showed up for our monthly volunteer shift at the Lowcountry Food Bank on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. We got divided to different tasks with some members writing thank you cards, some packing Backpack Buddies, and with most of us bagging...