2025-26 School Year
School Year Program (Wednesday Evenings)
Teens ages 13 to 18 can volunteer on scheduled Wednesdays from 7:00–8:30 PM. No clients are in the building during this time, and two adult supervisors are always present to guide and support. Space is limited to six teens per week, and each teen may sign up for two shifts per school year.
The 2025–2026 Teen Volunteer Program starts in September, with new sign-ups opening the last week of August. Schedules are released bimonthly via Sign Up Genius in August, October, December, and February.
What Teens Do
Clothing & Shoes
Sorting and labeling clothing and shoes
Packing Donations
Repackaging donations (e.g., socks, diapers, toys)
Food Room Support
Assist in the food room
Donation Door Help
Help at the donation door
Important Reminders
- Arrive by 7:00 PM and get picked up promptly at 8:30 PM (Volunteer Entrance – Door #6).
- Teens must email as soon as possible if they need to cancel: teenprogram@echo-inc.org
- Do not arrive more than 5 minutes early; adult supervision is required.
- Parents may wait in the parking lot but cannot accompany teens inside.
- Dress in casual clothes suitable for light cleaning.
- Service hour verifications (paper or electronic) can be requested by emailing teenprogram@echo-inc.org.
- The program is paused during FCPS closures, holidays, or inclement weather.
- ECHO cannot accommodate court-ordered service hours for teens.
Summer Backpack Program
Teens can also get involved over the summer by helping with our Backpack Program, where we pack over 1,300 backpacks for students in need in July and August. Signups are available in June.
- Must be at least 13 years old
- Under 18? A parent-signed permission form is required
- Hours do not fulfill court-ordered service
Other Teen Opportunities
Food Drives & Donation Sorting
Teens can assist with major drives like Scouting for Food (November) and the Postal Carriers Food Drive (May). Watch the website or email admin@echo-inc.org a month in advance to check availability.
Host a Drive
Teens can organize their own donation drives for food, hygiene items, housewares, or new socks and underwear. Visit our Donation Drive Guidelines to get started. Last year, the Lake Braddock Secondary School's SGA came together to support ECHO with a huge donation of essential items!
Fundraise for ECHO
Team up with ECHO each fall for the Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk on November 2. Walkers raise awareness and funds to fight hunger locally and globally—25% of what’s raised comes back to ECHO to support our food pantry.
