Volunteer Overview

Volunteer with us!

Get Started in Just Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Attend an orientation! In this 45-60 minute session held here at Mama’s Kitchen (3960 Home Ave), you will learn more about our programs and the ways that you can make an impact through volunteering.

Step 2: Complete your volunteer application and background check (delivery driver volunteers) or reference checks (non-delivery driver)

Step 3: You’ll be added to our volunteer system and will be able to see what shifts are available and get signed up!

Volunteer Opportunities, Responsibilities, and Expectations

We have a variety of volunteer opportunities based on your interest, skills, and availability.

We have several expectations for all Mama’s Kitchen volunteers:

• Exhibit a polite, personal manner with good personal hygiene, and dress appropriately for the nature of the work you will be doing
• Attend shifts as scheduled or give adequate notice of inability to be present
• Display sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of clients, employees, and other volunteers
• Maintain confidentiality of client and/or donor information learned during your service

Route Driver/Adopt-A-Route

Responsibilities:

• Pickup meals at kitchen or courier site for delivery to clients at their home
• Notify Client Services of changes in client condition and in routing and delivery instructions
• Report any undelivered meals to client services
• Deliver all meals within a two-hour delivery window (generally 10-15 clients)
• Complete an annual background check (paid for by Mama’s Kitchen)

Time Commitment:

• Tuesday and Friday delivery days with three varying delivery windows

• • Pickup at 12:30 for 1-3pm delivery
  • Pickup at 2:30 for 3-5pm delivery
  • Pickup at 3:30 for 4-6pm delivery

• Routes are available for weekly commitments or as you are available

Staging/Kitchen Volunteer

Responsibilities:

• Package items for inclusion in lunch, breakfast, frozen, and/or cold bags
• Plate/package dinner meal items
• Place meals into bags before delivery
• Follow all food safety requirements and staff instructions

Time Commitment:

• Morning shift each weekday from 8:30-11:30am
• Meal plating shift non-delivery days from 11:30am-1:30pm
• Afternoon shift on delivery days (T/F) from 1-2:30pm
• Shifts can be on a weekly basis or as you are available

Front Desk/Office Volunteer

Responsibilities:

• Answer phones with a pleasant tone and direct callers to the appropriate department
• Greet and welcome guests to Mama’s Kitchen
• Perform light clerical duties as assigned

Time Commitment:

• Delivery Days (T/F): 8:30am-1pm or 1pm-6pm
• Non-delivery days (M/W/Th): 8:30am-1pm or 1pm-5:30pm
• Other office work as needed by department
• Can make a weekly commitment or help as available

Mama’s Pantry Volunteer

Mama’s Pantry is for low-income San Diego county residents (<$1700/month) with an HIV+ diagnosis who are well enough to shop and cook and need occasional nutrition support to maintain their health.

Responsibilities:

• Assist clients with sign-in, shopping, “check out”, and bagging of items
• Register new clients
• Keep shelves filled with food items and maintain the cleanliness and organization of the pantry

Time Commitment:

• Mama’s Pantry is open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
• Two shifts daily: 10am-1pm and 1pm-4pm
• Able to make a weekly commitment (if a spot is available) and/or fill-in as needed

Food Drive Volunteer

Food drives are held the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Sunday of each month at grocery stores in central San Diego. These food drives provide approximately one-third of the food available in Mama’s Pantry.

Responsibilities:

• Distribute Mama’s Pantry wish-list flyers and explain Mama’s Pantry’s mission
• Maintain positive, light-hearted attitude with shoppers
• Keep area and food collection bins neat, clean, and tidy

Time Commitment:

• Three-hour morning or three-hour afternoon shift

Events Volunteer

Assist in a variety of tasks including set-up, breakdown, check-in, logistics, etc. for our various events throughout the year

Time Commitment:

• Varied shifts for a variety of tasks based on event needs
• Events occur throughout the year and our signature events are: Mama’s Day (May), Mama’s Pie (November), and World AIDS Day (December 1^st)

Please note, we do ask that volunteers who have not yet reached their 18th birthday be accompanied by a parent at orientation and while volunteering.

Corporate Volunteer Opportunities are also available. Please contact  Grants and Institutional Giving Coordinator, Grace Galloway at grace@mamaskitchen.org. Please note: WE HAVE FULFILLED OUR CORPORATE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2019! Please check back with us in December as we begin to schedule 2020 opportunities.