Volunteer Role Description

Meal Service Volunteer

Position Summary

The Meal Service Volunteer plays an essential role in creating a welcoming, respectful, and dignified experience for patrons accessing services at CFOC-Doors of Compassion (CFOC-DOC). Volunteers assist with meal preparation support, food service, setup and cleanup, and patron engagement while helping to foster an inclusive and compassionate environment.

Responsibilities

Before Meal Service

• Prepare and organize food service supplies, utensils, beverages, and condiments.
• Ensure food service areas are clean, organized, and ready for patrons.
• Follow all food handling and safety procedures as directed by staff.

During Meal Service

• Welcome patrons in a friendly, respectful, and non-judgmental manner.
• Serve meals according to established portion guidelines.
• Replenish supplies as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety throughout the meal service.
• Support an inclusive environment that respects the dignity and diverse experiences of all patrons.

After Meal Service

• Assist with clearing tables and collecting used dishes and utensils.
• Help wash, sanitize, and store kitchen equipment and supplies.
• Dispose of waste and recycling according to organizational procedures.
• Clean and sanitize dining and food preparation areas.
• Assist with resetting the space for future programming as required.

General volunteers do a variety of tasks including food service * dispensing pantry goods * monitoring washrooms * coat check * and various other odd jobs.

• Meal Preparation Assistance: Help with preparing ingredients, cooking, and assembling meals, following safety and hygiene guidelines.
• Meal Service: Serve meals to patrons in a respectful and compassionate manner, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate portions.
• Clean-Up: Assist with cleaning the kitchen and dining area after meals, including washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and organizing leftovers for storage.
• Inventory Management: Help track meal supplies and ingredients, ensuring that items are stocked and stored properly, and notifying staff when supplies are low.
• Support Patrons: Provide a welcoming and supportive environment for guests during meal service, including assisting those with special dietary needs, and ensuring a dignified experience for all.
• Health & Safety: Adhere to food safety standards and hygiene protocols at all times, ensuring that food is stored, prepared, and served in a safe manner.
• Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with staff and other volunteers to ensure smooth meal service operations and a positive experience for all involved.

During the morning shift, the meal is prepared for service later in the day.
Tasks for this shift include:

• Buttering buns
• Rolling cutlery
• Plating desserts
• Sorting food
• Peeling and/or cutting vegetables
• Making salad
• Making fruit salad
• Bagging food to-go
• Washing, drying, and/or putting away dishes
• Doing laundry

During the afternoon shift, guests are served a meal.
Tasks for this shift include:

• Serving guests at their tables
• Busing tables
• Wiping tables and chairs as guests leave 
• Scraping plates 
• Preparing drinks (coffee, tea, juice, and water)
• Plating meals from the steam table
• Washing, drying, and/or putting away dishes
• Handing out food to guests to go

·       Interacting with the public while providing great customer service. Merchandising and staging of furniture donations.

·       eCommerce: product research for price and key selling points, measure dimensions, photography, and minor touch up of items to support our new online platform.

·       Tasks may include customer service, product display, pricing, assembly, and repair

• Due to the physical nature of some of the tasks required, ReStore volunteers may be asked to lift heavy objects (bathroom fixtures, windows, doors, etc.)
• Assembling furniture and some restoration of various donations.
• Able to lift 10-20 pounds and be on your feet for several hours at a time.
• Volunteers are required to wear CSA approved green label safety shoes, some at store to borrow for volunteer shift

·       Come with a willingness to learn from experienced volunteers and staff and to work as part of a team. A positive attitude, enthusiasm, flexibility, and a sense of humour is always key! Tasks are not always glamorous, so be prepared to do a variety of things.