Looking for a way to give back? The Dubuque Rescue Mission is a community offering hospitality, spiritual hope, food, shelter, clothing and job development to those in need. We invite you to join us!
Financial Donations
Every dollar makes a difference at The Mission: financial donations make up 65% of our annual budget. Donations can be made online for a one-time or recurring donation, and checks made out to “Dubuque Rescue Mission” can be mailed to 398 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 52001.
The Mission is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Monetary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Item Donations
Food
We are always looking for donations of food. Examples include:
- Prepared meals
- Ingredients which can be used to make meals (meat, produce, flour, etc.)
- Baked goods (feel free to make at home)
- Bottled water & beverages
- Ground Coffee
- Milk
- Granola bars
Items We Need
The following are useful for residents of the Mission:
- Deodorant
- Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
- Shampoo/Conditioner & Body Wash
- Razors & Shaving Cream
- Laundry Soap
- Ear Plugs
- Pens
- Pillows
- Twin size sheets & pillow cases
Clothing, Furniture, & Household Items
Donations to our thrift stores are used as part of our voucher programs to give free items to people in need, and items are also sold in the stores as a fundraiser for the Mission. See our Thrift Store page for details.
Volunteer
We have a variety of ways you can get involved at the Mission!
- Kitchen: Great place to begin volunteering. Spend about an hour serving a meal (breakfast, lunch, or supper). If looking for additional volunteer opportunities, you can get involved with food preparation, serving, and cleaning. Call 563-583-1394 ext. 105 and ask for Samuel or a member of the kitchen team: Clarissa or Nick.
- Thrift Store 1: Great for volunteers who can commit to ongoing/recurring hours. Sort donations, price items, clean, organize displays and inventory, etc. Call 563-583-3443 and ask for Kim or Tom.
- Thrift Store 2: Great for volunteers who can commit to ongoing/recurring hours. Clean, move furniture, clerical work as qualified, organize, etc. Call 563-587-8164 and ask for Nicole.
- Thrift Store 2 also has internship opportunities for students, such as social work students wanting experience helping with the voucher program or marketing/communications/business students wanting experience related to running a store.
- Garden: Spring through fall: weeding, planting, mowing, harvesting produce, starting seeds, watering, mulching, etc. Call 563-583-1394 ext. 107 and ask for Carrie.
- Repair Shop & Recycling Center: Skilled work repairing tools, small appliances and furniture, jewelry, textiles, etc. Call 563-583-1394 ext. 107 and ask for Rachel.
- Answer Phones: Assist with answering questions and taking messages at our main residential location on Main Street. Call 563-564-3305 and ask for Will.
- Give Rides: Give residents rides to school, work, appointments. Call 563-583-1394 ext. 102 and ask for Al.
- Do you have other ideas of ways you can help? Reach out to us! Call 563-583-1394 ext. 107 and ask for Alyssa.
Fundraising Events
Join us for our Farm-to-Table Fundraising Dinner Saturday, August 23, 2025!