Meal Service Volunteer 2024 (Long-term & Weekly)

**Due to the nature of our Meal Service volunteer opportunity, we need to coordinate with first-time volunteers who have not yet had an orientation to our meal service. Because volunteers will be acting as representatives of the Community Food Bank to the public, there is a self guided pre-orientation that covers program expectations, customer service practices, and more information to be reviewed before discussing a first shift. 

Caridad Community Kitchen is looking for long-term volunteers to join our team in distributing prepared Grab & Go Meals and personal care supplies to the community. Our team currently has an opening on Wednesday afternoons in the summers. 

Volunteers partner with Caridad staff to distribute meals. Meal distribution takes place in a covered area outside and community members walk up to receive meals. Volunteers will always have a staff member available to support them during their shift and will often be working directly alongside staff. 

This volunteer opportunity works directly with the public. Meal service takes place outdoors & masks are optional. KN95 mask are available but not required. 

Tasks

• Gather and set up grab & go meals and distribution supplies.
• Distribute meals and personal supplies to guests under program guidelines and restrictions while also providing excellent customer service 
• Examples of personal supplies include face masks, hygiene items such as soap, safer sex materials, socks and underwear, Naloxone kits - the opioid overdose reversal medicine, and much more. 
• Distribute print materials with additional resources for clients as requested.
• Treat all clients with dignity and respect, while adhering to Caridad Community Kitchen’s safety & food distribution guidelines.
• Organize products for distribution, as time allows. 

Ideal candidate qualifications

• Comfortable working directly with community members who may be experiencing a wide range of hardships, including homelessness, substance use disorders, and behavioral health issues
• Excellent oral communication skills
• An organized, self-starter with the ability to work independently
• Able to lift between 30-40 pounds
• Able to stand for 3 hours
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred but not required)

 Dress code

• Closed-toe shoes
• Attire appropriate for representing the Community Food Bank to the community

Our dress code helps us keep both our volunteers and our food safe! This volunteer opportunity involves working outdoors. 

We have lockers and locks for storage of any items while volunteers are here in our space.  

Guidelines for Volunteer Health & Food Safety

As a kitchen that serves individuals in our community who are at an increased risk for contracting food-borne illnesses, we take health a nd food safety very seriously.

These Health & Food Safety Guidelines encourage practices and behaviors that can help prevent individuals from spreading illnesses and/or foodborne pathogens to food. Health & food safety is of the highest important to us. Our meals are serving community members who may be experiencing a compromised immune systems and potentially lack regular access to medical care.

Please do not arrive for your shift if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms 24 hours before your shift:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Please do not come to our facility until more than 24 hours have passed since your last symptoms have subsided. Please do not arrive for your volunteer shift. If you are feeling unwell, reach out to our volunteer coordinator by phone or email. And don't worry! While we rely on and love to have our volunteers with us in person, your health and the safety of our food is more important! 

If you have been diagnosed with a contagious disease that can be transferred via food AND you have worked at the Caridad Community Kitchen, please notify our volunteer coordinator as soon as possible. Our highest priority is everyone's safety & we practice respect, trust, and discretion when discussing sensitive information.

Location, Parking, & Contact Information

Caridad Community Kitchen is located at:

Parking: We have a small parking lot located to the south of our building (enter via Main Ave.) and street parking is available on our cross street, 2nd Street. If you are arriving via bike, we have bike-hanging available indoors.

Contact Information: For any questions, please see our contact information on our Caridad Community Kitchen location page! All communications can also be sent to caridad@communityfoodbank.org and phone calls can be directed to our main number at 520-882-5641. 

Pandemic Safety Measures

Temperatures: Please generally monitor your temperature. If needed, volunteers can use a provided non-contact forehead thermometer at Caridad Community Kitchen to take their temperature. If your temperature is below 100.4 degrees, you are able to volunteer. If your temperature is equal to or above 100.4 degrees, please stay home or leave the site as soon as possible. Advise the volunteer coordinator at the site that you will not be able to volunteer that day by phone or email. If you believe the high temperature is a result of our heat, wait 15 minutes in a cool environment & take your temperature again. 

Self-Monitoring: Do not arrive to our volunteer shift if you are not feeling well, especially if you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to COVID19. This extends to anyone you have had sustained close contact with. For an up to date list of symptoms created by COVID19, click here.

Illness & COVID19 Exposure Policy: Out of an abundance of caution we are asking any volunteer who feels ill to stay home for 2 weeks. If the illness is due to a certain & known cause (such as allergies, medication, etc.) this policy can be disregarded. If any volunteer has been exposed to COVID19, we ask that they remain home for a 14-day quarantine. Please note this policy does not apply to volunteers who are fully vaccinated.

Face Coverings: Face coverings are optional while indoors on CFB property & during CFB activities. If you would like a KN95 or surgical mask for extra protection during your shift, please let us know. (Updated 3/21/2022)

What our staff are doing: Our staff sanitize commonly touched surfaces every hour, including internal and external doorknobs & handles. Surfaces in areas designated for eating and drinking are sanitized after each use.