FAQ

All your questions answered.

Where are you located?

We are located at 179 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, 02130. We are just minutes from the Stony Brook station on the MBTA Orange Line. We also have a parking lot designated for volunteer use on a first come basis. We recommend taking public transportation if you can.

What are the volunteer hours?

Weekdays

  • 9am-12pm
  • 1pm-4pm
  • 4pm-6pm
  • 6pm-8pm

Saturdays

  • 9am-12pm
  • 1pm-3:30pm

What will I be doing?

Volunteer tasks in our commercial kitchen include chopping, peeling, and processing produce, portioning out entrees, soups, salads, and snacks, and assembling meal bags that are later delivered to our clients’ homes.

Is there a dress code?

Yes, we follow a strict kitchen dress code to ensure the safety of our volunteers and the quality of our food. Volunteers are required to adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Long pants without rips or tears
  • Closed-toed shoes that completely cover the foot
  • We will provide hairnets, beard nets, aprons, and gloves on site.

How old do you have to be to volunteer?

Volunteers must be 13 and up to volunteer in our kitchen.   All minor volunteers (under 18 years of age) MUST have a youth waiver signed by a parent or guardian or they will not be allowed to volunteer. Volunteers under 18 will not be allowed to use knives on shifts.

Young people under age 13 can help us by making cards for our clients! Please see the following Guidelines for Card Makingto make sure your cards meet our needs.

Do I need to have cooking skills to volunteer?

No prior experience is necessary! We will provide new volunteers with a 15 minute orientation at the start of their first shift. Our talented kitchen staff will show you exactly what you need to do in the kitchen.

Can I help deliver meals?

Yes, we accept volunteer delivery drivers for our Saturday meal deliveries. Volunteer drivers should be able to commit to 1 Saturday a month (1st,2nd,3rd,4thor alternate) for a period of at least 6 months and will undergo CORI screening. Volunteer drivers will receive training from our delivery staff on their first shift. Youth under 13 are welcome to assist on meal deliveries.  Please email Sabrina Thomas at to sign up.

Do you have any weekend opportunities?

We have 2 shifts on Saturdays from 9am-12pm and 1-3:30 pm. Please be advised that these shifts fill up fast!

Is there a minimum time commitment?

Volunteers are expected to volunteer for the duration of their scheduled shift, but volunteering can be a one-time or ongoing experience. Contact Laura Kakalecz at to set up a recurring volunteer schedule.

Are there other opportunities outside the kitchen?

Yes, we welcome volunteers to help leading up to and during our special events, Pie in the Sky (November) and Lifesavor (May).

Can I come in to volunteer with a group?

Yes, we offer group shifts for corporations, religious groups, school groups, and other organizations. We also welcome groups of all abilities and would be happy to talk about accommodating your specific group needs. Maximum group size varies from 10-15 people depending on the shift. To see upcoming openings, please use our Group Availability Calendarand reach out to Nate Ross at to book. In your email, include your group name, number of volunteers, and the date(s) and shift(s) you would like to book. Nate will confirm your booking by responding to your email.

Is there a cost associated with volunteering?

No, volunteering is free! Volunteers who would like to donate to support our meal program are welcome to do so onlineor on site. A day’s worth of meals can also be sponsored by a group or company for $2,000 and to recognize your gift, your group/company’s name or logo will be included on the meals prepared that day. We can even arrange to have your group prep and package the meals that you’re sponsoring. We’ll take pictures and share on our social media channels. If you’re interested, please contact Darcy Pfeifer at or 617.522.7777 ext. 231.

Do you have a wellness policy for volunteers?

Yes, because you will be helping to prepare and package meals for our critically-ill neighbors who have weakened immune systems, safe food handling, sanitation and wellness are top priority. You CANNOT volunteer at Community Servings if you have experienced a fever, diarrhea, a persistent cough or runny nose in the last 24 hours.

Can I complete required volunteer hours at Community Servings?

Yes, we are happy to provide documentation at the end of your completed volunteer hours. We ask that volunteers make sure to sign in and out for their shifts to keep an accurate hour count and communicate clearly with our volunteer team what kind of paperwork or documentation is needed.

Do I need to complete an orientation to be able to volunteer?

Yes, you will receive a 15 minute new volunteer orientation led by the Volunteer Team staff prior to the start of your first volunteer shift.  The orientation will include an overview of our mission as well as a food safety training. For subsequent shifts, you will not need to repeat orientation.

How do I sign up as an individual volunteer?

  1. To sign up for your first shift, please see our online calendar.
  2. Select the shift that you would like and click “sign up”.
  3. Enter in your first name, last name, email, phone number, and check the box if you are under the age of 18.  Click “sign up” to submit.
  4. After you sign up for a shift, you will receive two confirmation emails
    1. One email will include a link to the waiver form which you should sign electronically before your first shift (or have a parent/guardian sign electronically if you are under the age of 18).  The email will also include a link to your personal volunteer portal page where you can manage your volunteer profile, sign up for other shifts, see shift availability, and track your service hours.
    2. The other email confirms the date and time of the shift that you signed up for.

For more detailed information, please see our Volunteer Handbook.

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