Meal Helper at Ronald McDonald House

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Purpose: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) is committed to providing daily, nutritious meals for the families we serve. Meal Helpers play a critical role in this service by working alongside our culinary team to ensure the successful execution of comforting meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s.

Location: RMH near Lurie Children’s, 211 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Key Responsibilities:

• Help execute meals planned by the culinary team by following recipes, prepping ingredients, cooking dishes, and packing or serving food.
• Maintain an organized and functional kitchen by cleaning after food preparation, emptying dishwashers, running sanitizers, restocking pantries, deep cleaning, and properly storing food.
• Manage the dining room during meal service by providing direction to guest families, upholding all safety measures, and consistently sanitizing and cleaning tables.
• If a Culinary Hearts volunteer group is present to prepare a meal during your shift:
  • Act as a second-in-command to our culinary team, providing direction to and answering the questions of group participants.
  • Support the culinary team in preparing for volunteer groups: gather needed supplies and ingredients, start on recipes, manage food deliveries, inventory supplies, and bring items to/from the kitchen and storage spaces as needed.
  • Speak confidently to each volunteer meal group about their involvement, our House kitchen, and their impact on our mission.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Comfortable cooking and knowledgeable in the kitchen.
• Adept at cleaning and maintaining a high-level of organization.
• Ability to work confidently in a busy kitchen environment.
• Willingness to work professionally and collaboratively with volunteers and staff.
• Agreement with and alignment to all RMHC-CNI rules, policies and protocols, including adherence to all safety/participation requirements.
• Capable of standing for each three-hour shift, and able to carry 35 pounds.
• Volunteers must be dependable, trustworthy, friendly and flexible.

Time Commitment and Scheduling:

• Volunteers must commit to two set, recurring shifts per month for at least one year.
• Shifts are seven days a week, 10:00am-1:00pm, 1:00-4:00pm and 4:00-7:00pm.

Training and Support:

• Volunteers must complete an orientation session, background check and on-site shadow shift.
• Meal Helpers report to our culinary team and Volunteer Services Manager.

Next Steps:

• Interested individuals can submit an application online: http://vhub.at/lurievolunteers