Thank for your interest in volunteering! Before you get started, you might like to read a description of your activities. Ultimately, you will be guided by your team leader.
Click on the green underlined text in this list to see the job description for your role:
Dinner Preparation/Serving/Cleanup
Set up Team Job Description
- On the day the shelter opens at your site, arrive promptly at the designated time in the morning. The time of arrival of the truck may vary. Your Set Up Team Leader will be notified of estimated time of arrival.
- Clear Bortin Hall (if needed) to make room for the tents, etc.
- Set up tables and chairs for 40 people (30 guests and 10 volunteers) in the designated eating area.
- Unload the truck and stage boxes, futons in center of Bortin. Guests will set up their own tents and make their own beds.
- Store supplies for the kitchen, bathrooms, etc.
- Set up a Kids’ Activities Center.
- All arrangements must be completed prior to the arrival of the guests at 5:30pm.
Breakfast Preparation Team – Job Description
- There will be a Meal Team captain for each morning.
- Arrive at 5:00am. Put on a name tag with your name clearly printed. (First name only)
- Immediately be sure the coffee pot and tea water have been turned on.
- Wear disposable gloves while handling food
- Carry everything needed for breakfast into the area where breakfast will be served. This includes cereal, milk, juice, sweetener and sugar, dishes, bowls, tableware, and napkins
- Breakfast must be ready by 5:15am.
- Place refrigerated lunches (labeled with the guest’s name) out to be picked up.
- Sit down (with the guests, not each other), mingle and enjoy breakfast.
- Cleanup, putting garbage in cans or other receptacles provided.
- Place all recyclables into appropriate containers.
- Leave the kitchen as you found it – or better!
- Notify the meal coordinator of any supplies that are low
- Wash tables and restock supplies for meals.
- Assist guests to prepare for departure.
Morning Cleanup volunteers – Job description
- Arrive in time to be finished by 6:30 am. (when the guests leave and the building it locked).
- Put on a clearly printed name tag. (First name only)
- Clean bathrooms and restock toilet paper and towels.
- Sweep/mop floor if needed.
- Wear disposable gloves while cleaning bathrooms or handling linens.
Dinner Preparation/Serving/Cleanup Team – Job Description
- There will be a Meal Team Captain for each day.
- The Meal Team Leader will set arrival time for all volunteers. This will vary depending on how much cooking your congregation will be doing on site, and what your menu is.
- The Meal Team Leader will make sure that all necessary food and supplies are available.
- Dinner must be ready to serve at 6:30 at the latest.
- Wear disposable gloves when handling food.
- When volunteers arrive, they should put on a clearly printed name tag (First name only)
- Be sure coffee and tea water are turned on in plenty of time
- You should put out healthy finger food, such as vegetables, during the hour prior to dinner for the kids.
- Carry everything needed for dinner into the serving area, including condiments, tableware, dishes, and napkins.
- Set out food and drinks for bag lunches at the same time dinner is served, so that clients can prepare their lunches when they have finished dinner. Lunches should be labeled with names of guests, and refrigerated.
- Sit down (with the guests, not each other), mingle and enjoy dinner.
- Cleanup, putting garbage in cans or other receptacles provided.
- Place all recyclables into appropriate containers
- Leave the kitchen as you found it – or better!
- Notify the Meal Coordinator of any supplies that are low
- Do not leave any leftovers unless they are snack foods that can be left out.
- Wash tables and restock supplies for meals.
Kids’ Activities Volunteers – Job description
- Plan to arrive by 5:30pm. Put on a plainly written name tag. (First name only)
- Each evening will have a Team Captain that will help identify your assignment.
- Activities planned will vary depending on the age of the children involved at any given time.
- Older children and teenagers are acutely aware of the stigma attached to their situation, and sensitivity to this fact is critical.
- All kids’ activities must be conducted in full view of others.
- Set up the VCR (if applicable) for the smaller children and those without homework.
- School age children should begin homework during this time period. Those who do not have homework should be encouraged to read.
- Play games on the rug with the smaller children.
- Tutoring is a much needed and very valuable service. Volunteers should be assigned each evening to assist with homework for school age children. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that homework assignments are known. Homework should be completed before children engage in group activities, etc.
- You may read a story to a child at any time, if their homework is completed.
- Share dinner with the guests.
- After dinner, plan group activities for younger children and for school age children who have completed homework, and obtain any supplies that are needed.
- Your role is to provide a cheerful, productive, and disciplined environment and encourage good use of time by the children. Remember that they will retire at 8:30pm, so over stimulation is not desirable.
- Parents remain responsible for the behavior of their children
- Before leaving, be sure all supplies and equipment have been put away, and any craft activity has been cleaned up.
Sleepover Volunteers - Job Description
- Arrive by 9:00pm to allow time to meet some of the guests.
- Bring your sleeping bag or bedding and pillow. An air mattress will be provided. You may be most comfortable sleeping in sweats.
- Put on a clearly printed name tag. (First name only)
- Assist the Shelter Coordinator in locking up for the night.
- Feel free to join in wherever you can be helpful.
- Be prepared to be awakened if the Shelter Coordinator, who will remain awake, deems your assistance necessary.
- Help with Breakfast setup/cleanup as needed.
- Join the guests for breakfast if you wish.
- Help guests prepare for departure.
- Schedule to pick up laundry (wash cloths, towels) during the first weekend.
- Wash laundry at home.
- Return clean towels to MDUUC on the same day.
Final Laundry Volunteers – Job Description
- Arrive promptly at 6:30 am on the last Monday of the Shelter at your congregation.
- There will be a Laundry Coordinator who will lead the effort and provide the details.
- Take all linens and launder them at a laundromat depending on the decision of your congregation.
- Fold and sort them. Place them in plastic bags for transport.
- Deliver them to the next site by 3:00pm that afternoon.
- Arrive promptly at the time designated by your Take Down Team Leader.
- Pack all Shelter supplies for transport, including mattresses, disposables, food, and linens.
- Help load truck
- Ensure that Bortin is returned to normal setup.
- Dust mop/mop floor if necessary
