We are always looking for local volunteers who are passionate about making a difference in their community.

Volunteer Needs:

NEXT STEPS:
STEP 1: Complete a Volunteer Application prior to orientation. 
STEP 2: Attend an orientation. Click here to view orientation days and times.
STEP 3: Complete your volunteer application and background check (delivery driver volunteers) or reference checks (non-delivery driver).
STEP 4: You’ll be added to our volunteer system and will receive emails regarding available shifts with instructions on how to sign up.

*We require prospective volunteers to be 18+.

Key Volunteer Opportunities

Meal Delivery Driver/Adopt-A-Route

Modified Eligibility: Must be fully COVID-19 vaccinated and boosted.

Responsibilities: Pickup meals at kitchen or courier site for delivery to clients at their home. Deliver all meals within a 2-3 hour delivery window (generally 10-15 clients).

  • Complete an annual background check (paid for by Mama’s Kitchen).

Time Commitment:

  • Regular delivery days are Tuesday and Friday with delivery windows 12:30-3:30 pm and 3-6 pm.
  • Routes are available for weekly commitments or as you are available.

Kitchen/Staging Volunteer

Modified Eligibility: Must be fully COVID-19 vaccinated with fourteen days elapsed since last dose.

Shift Schedule:

Plating/Kitchen Prep Cohort (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday 8am-12pm, Monday/Thursday 12:30-2:30)

  • Plating entrees of about 700 portions each. Goal is to complete one entrée per two hours – so a four-hour shift will plate two separate meals.
  • Prep work in conjunction with kitchen staff as needed and requested.

Staging(Tuesday/Friday 1-3pm, 2-4pm)

  • Compile all of the items (grocery bags, frozen bags, and meal bundles) into delivery bags and then place them onto carts. Carts are sorted by delivery routes.

Grocery Bags (Monday/Thursday 9am-12pm)

  • Assembly line of dry or cold items for inclusion in the delivery bags. Mon/Thurs Dry items (fruit, cereal, crackers, oatmeal, etc.) bags are assembled in preparation for the next day’s delivery and include preparing individual items like tortillas and bread for future deliveries.
  • Tues/Fri cold items (yogurt, milk, cheese, burritos, etc.) bags are assembled for that day’s deliveries and include staging the grocery bags, frozen bags, and meal bundles.

Meal Bundles (Tuesday/Friday 8-11:30am)

  • Bundling all meals for the day’s delivery bags by stacking and wrapping together meal trays. These bundles are used to fill bags efficiently. Afterward, compile all items (grocery bags, frozen bags, and meal bundles) into delivery bags then place them onto carts by the delivery route.

Delivery Day Afternoon (Tuesday/Friday 1-3pm or 2-4pm)

  • Staging: compile all items into delivery bags (grocery bags, frozen bags, and meal bundles) and then place onto carts by delivery route (1-3pm).
  • Cart Loading: loading carts with the appropriate number of regulars and specials by route and wheeling out to the loading dock as drivers arrive (2-4pm).

Phone/Office Support

Modified Eligibility: Must be fully COVID-19 vaccinated and boosted.

Responsibilities:

  • Direct callers to the appropriate department or staff person.
  • Provide general information about Mama’s Kitchen to callers with staff training and resource materials.
  • Support administrative functions of various departments with mailing, sorting, and filing tasks.
  • Based on interest level, support project-related tasks for program staff.

Time Commitment:

  • Three shifts daily (9am-12pm, 12-3pm, 3-6pm). Available for substitute or ongoing schedule based on need.
  • Other varying shifts available as needed.

If you have any questions or seek additional information, please contact Philip Chao, Director of Volunteer Engagement at philip@mamaskitchen.org or 619.233.6262 x108.  Or Luke Vaughn, the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at luke@mamaskitchen.org or 619.233.6262 x169.