As of June 1, 2026, the federal government’s rules on CalFresh work and community engagement requirements have changed in California. Some CalFresh recipients must meet certain work requirements to keep their CalFresh benefits. More information can be found here.

These rules apply to you if you:

  • Are between the ages of 18 and 64;
  • Do not have a disability; and
  • Do not have a dependent child under 14 years old.

How Volunteer Hours Count:

  • All volunteer opportunities qualify for work requirements.
  • Volunteering could also help with certain community-service requirements.
  • Upcoming Medi-Cal changes might qualify for work requirements.

Important Requirements:

  • Please confirm necessary requirements through your applicable agency or organization.
  • Mama’s Kitchen verifies hours but does not determine whether they satisfy a specific program requirement.
  • When signing up to volunteer, note in your orientation attendance form that you need hour verification for benefits, or email us after you sign up at volunteer@mamaskitchen.org.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Meal Delivery

    Responsibilities: Pick up meals at the kitchen or courier site for delivery to clients at their homes. 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).
    • Volunteers will need to use their own vehicles for deliveries.

    Time Commitment:

     

  • Kitchen and Staging

    Shift Schedule:

    Click here to view the Volunteer Schedule.

    Plating/Kitchen Prep Cohort

    • Plating about 700 servings of each entrée. Each entrée takes about two hours, so a four-hour shift would plate two separate dishes.
    • Prep work in conjunction with kitchen staff as needed and requested.

    Grocery Bags

    • Compile dry or cold grocery items into grocery bags to be included in meal bags. Dry groceries on Monday/Thursday, Cold groceries on Tuesday/Friday.

    Meal Bundles

    • Bundling all meals for the day’s delivery bags by stacking and wrapping together meal trays. Compiling meals and grocery items for delivery bags and placing them onto delivery carts.

    Staging

    • 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.

    Delivery Day Afternoon

    • Staging: compile all items into delivery bags (grocery bags, frozen bags, and meal bundles) and then place them onto carts by delivery route.
    • Cart Loading: load carts with appropriate delivery bags and wheel them out to the loading dock as drivers arrive.

NEXT STEPS:
STEP 1: Complete a Volunteer Registration Form before orientation.
STEP 2: Complete our virtual volunteer orientation. You will not be “approved” as a volunteer until you have watched the video and filled out the attendance form linked in the description.
STEP 3: You’ll be added to our volunteer system and will receive emails regarding available shifts with instructions on how to sign up.

Anyone under the age of 18 is required to have an adult with them while volunteering.

Questions about hours or volunteering? Please contact our Volunteer Engagement Department at volunteer@mamaskitchen.org or 619.233.6262, extension 169.