VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

At Elgin Eats, we believe everyone has something valuable to contribute. You don't need special training, professional cooking skills, or endless free time. All you need is a willing heart and a few hours to spare.

Ways to Serve

Meal Preparation Volunteers

Time Commitment: Tuesday mornings/afternoons or Friday afternoons (3-4 hours)

Help prepare meals in church kitchens. Tasks include:

Chopping vegetables and prepping ingredients
Assembling sandwiches and meal components
Cooking and plating hot meals
Packaging meals for service
Following food safety guidelines

Perfect for: People who enjoy cooking, working with their hands, or being behind the scenes

Service Line Volunteers

Time Commitment: Tuesday 4:00-6:30 PM or Friday 4:30-7:30 PM

Be the friendly face that welcomes our guests.

Responsibilities include:

Greeting people with warmth and respect
Handing out meals from our service station
Answering questions about our programs
Helping with traffic flow
Setting up and breaking down service areas

Perfect for: Outgoing people who love connecting with others, families volunteering together, or anyone wanting to make a direct impact

Delivery Drivers

Time Commitment: Flexible weekday delivery windows (1-3 hours)

Bring meals directly to homebound community members. You'll:

Pick up prepared meals
Follow provided delivery routes
Bring meals to doorsteps with a smile
Provide a friendly wellness check
Report any concerns to our coordinators

Requirements: Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, friendly demeanor

Perfect for: People with flexible schedules, retirees, or anyone who enjoys one-on-one connections

Food Sourcing and Donations Coordinators

Time Commitment: Variable, often remote work

Help us secure the food we need.

Tasks include:

Picking up food donations from partner businesses
Coordinating with grocery stores and suppliers
Managing food inventory
Transporting supplies to prep locations
Building relationships with potential donors

Perfect for: Organized individuals, people with business connections, or those who enjoy logistics

Setup and Cleanup Crews

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours before or after service times

Make sure everything runs smoothly by:

Setting up serving stations and supplies
Organizing food prep areas
Cleaning and sanitizing after service
Taking out trash and recycling
Storing leftover supplies properly

Perfect for: Detail-oriented people, those with limited availability, or teams wanting to serve together

Special Events Support

Time Commitment: Varies by event

Help with fundraisers, community cookouts, and awareness campaigns throughout the year. We need people for:

Event setup and breakdown
Registration tables
Activity coordination
Photography and social media
Connecting with attendees

Perfect for: Creative people, social media savvy volunteers, or those who prefer occasional commitments

Family Volunteering

Time Commitment: Varies by event

Help with fundraisers, community cookouts, and awareness campaigns throughout the year. We need people for:

Event setup and breakdown
Registration tables
Activity coordination
Photography and social media
Connecting with attendees

Perfect for: Creative people, social media savvy volunteers, or those who prefer occasional commitments

Sign Up Today

Ready to make a difference? [Sign up here - link to volunteer form] or contact our volunteer coordinator at [insert email/phone].

First-time volunteers:

Attend a brief orientation (30 minutes)
Shadow experienced volunteers your first shift
Receive ongoing support and appreciation