Opportunities From: Volunteers United

Peace Meals are served by volunteers to our shelter residents. The Peace Dinners offer comfort, company, and healthy meals to residents staying in our emergency shelter. Small groups (6 maximum) plan and prepare a meal off-site, in a sterile environment, for 60 guests. The meal may be ordered from a restaurant as an option.  Meals are warmed up and served in our shelter kitchen. If the volunteer(s) are not able to stay to serve the meal, the meal can also be dropped off.

·       Sunday or Monday dinner

·       Prepare food off-site or order food for about 60 residents

·       Warm and serve food

·       Clean up

·       Plan to be here about 2-3 hours

·       Limit of 6 volunteers due to the size of the kitchen

·       Dinner arrival 4:30 PM

 

We ask that meals include:

·       Main entrée – due to allergy concerns, we ask that meals do not contain seafood. If your meal contains pork, please provide an alternative option in addition to the pork dish.

·       Vegetarian entrée

·       One or more side dishes

·       Fresh green salad

·       Fresh fruit

·       Bread/Rolls

·       Pre-portioned dessert (ice cream bars, cupcakes, cookies, pre-cut dessert bars, etc)

·       Beverages are optional. If your group chooses to bring one, please bring something other than soda (juice, decaf iced tea, fruit-infused water, etc)

Lunch kits provided by volunteers offer convenient and healthy lunches to residents staying in our emergency shelter who may need a meal on the go. Once scheduled with a coordinator, you will receive the full lunch kit guidelines.

You should plan to prepare 60 lunch kits. Lunch Kits are put together offsite. Volunteers will be responsible for the cost of the lunch items, and for transportation to Sojourner Family Peace Center. Follow Food & Safety Guidelines. Every effort to prevent foodborne illness must be taken to ensure that we are providing safe meals for our families. Please wear gloves when preparing lunch kits. Please label each lunch bag with the type of sandwich. For example, write chicken on the lunch bag if the lunch contains a chicken sandwich, write turkey if the lunch contains a turkey sandwich, etc. Lunch Kits are dropped off on Mondays and Thursdays between 10:30 and 11:30 AM. Work with coordinator to schedule a specific date.

We ask that lunch kits include:

A sandwich with lunch meat and cheese. Please do not put any condiments on the sandwiches because it can make the bread soggy. We have condiments for residents to use. A piece of fruit or fruit cup Granola bar Snack-size bag of chips or pretzels A fresh vegetable Please refrain from anything containing nuts due to allergy concerns. If you provide pork protein, please provide a substitution.

Other Needed Materials:

Paper Bag for each lunch

Multiple tasks need an extra set of hands from a volunteer group. The tasks are chosen based on the agency’s needs for that day.

o   Monday – Friday

o   2-3 hour shifts between 9 AM and 5 PM,

o   Group size limit: 6

o   Tasks could include:

§Tidying Shelter and Pantry storage areas

§Administrative projects

§Packing lunches for shelter residents

§Help process in-kind donations