There are several excellent volunteer opportunities available in the Southport and Oak Island, NC area for the week of September 21, 2026. Whether your interests lie in helping animals, feeding the community, or supporting local literacy, you have great ways to make a local impact.
Here are the top volunteer opportunities grouped by focus area:
Animal Rescue & Welfare
SOAR (Southport/Oak Island Animal Rescue)
This local, no-kill animal shelter operates right between Southport and Oak Island. They depend entirely on volunteers to help clean kennels, walk dogs, socialize cats, and maintain their 3-acre property. They accept volunteers during their morning hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), and Saturdays (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
- Address: 3376 St Charles Pl SE, Southport, NC 28461
- Details: Check out how to apply on the SOAR Website.
Food Security & Aid
SOIICF Food Pantry (Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship)
Located just a short drive inland in Boiling Spring Lakes, this volunteer-run association provides emergency groceries to residents of Southport and Oak Island. Volunteers are needed to accept donations, sort food, and pack boxes. During your requested week, they are open for pantry services on Tuesday, September 22nd and Saturday, September 26th (9:00 AM – 11:30 AM), and Thursday, September 24th (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM).
- Address: 249 W Boiling Spring Rd, Southport, NC 28461
- Details: Fill out an application on the SOIICF Website.
Education & Literacy Support
- Friends of the Library Southport / Oak Island (FOLSOI): If you prefer indoor, community-focused shifts, the Once More Bookstore (located in Southport) relies on volunteers. You can sign up for morning or afternoon shifts (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday) to help sort, shelve, or work as a retail sales assistant. They also have flexible shifts for restocking the public "Little Free Libraries" around Southport and Oak Island.
- Address: 727 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461
- Details: Read through the specific shift jobs on the FOLSOI Volunteer Page.
Environmental & Public Service
- Oak Island Beach Preservation Society: If you love the outdoors, you can join their ongoing efforts to keep the local island habitats pristine. While formal community-wide beach cleanups occur monthly, they actively recruit independent "Beach Ambassadors" to maintain specified beach accesses during the fall.
- Details: Register your interest on the Oak Island Beach Preservation Website.
