Kitchen/Staging Volunteers at Mama's Kitchen

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Mama's Kitchen is committed to fighting critical illnesses through the power of nutrition. Their Home-Delivered Meal Service is the only service in San Diego County delivering breakfast, lunch and dinner to people affected by HIV, cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease who are mentally or physically unable to prepare meals as a result of their diagnosis. Meals are provided for every day of the year, on a county-wide basis, free of charge.

Kitchen/Staging Volunteers with meal delivery by serving at one of the following shifts:

Plating/Kitchen Prep Cohort (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday 8am-12pm, Monday/Thursday 12:30-2:30)

Plating entrees of about 525 portions each. Goal is to complete one entre per two hours - so a four-hour shift will plate two separate meals.

Prep work in conjunction with kitchen staff as needed and requested.

Grocery Bags (Monday/Thursday 9am-12pm)

Assembly line of "dry" items for inclusion in the next day's delivery (fruit, cereal, crackers, oatmeal, etc).

Preparing individual items like tortillas and bread for future deliveries.

Delivery Day Morning (Tuesday/Friday 8am-12pm)

Frozen Bags: assembly line of cold items for inclusion in that day's delivery (yogurt, milk, cheese, burritos, etc).

Bundling: bundling all meals for that day's delivery to fill the bags more efficiently.

Staging: compile all items into delivery bags (grocery bags, frozen bags, and meal bundles) and then place onto carts by delivery route.

Delivery Day Afternoon (Tuesday/Friday 1-3pm or 2-4pm)

Staging: compile all items into delivery bags (grocery bags, frozen bags, and meal bundles) and then place onto carts by delivery route (1-3pm).

Cart Loading: loading carts with the appropriate number of regulars and specials by route and wheeling out to the loading dock as drivers arrive (2-4pm).

Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes

Time Commitment: A minimum 1 year commitment is preferred but not required.

Safety: Kitchen/Staging Volunteers must be fully COVID-19 vaccinated with fourteen days elapsed since the last dose. All Mama's Kitchen volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated prior to starting volunteer service and provide evidence to the Volunteer Engagement staff. Face coverings are required the entire time volunteers are in their facility. Masks MUST be procedure, N-95, KN-95, or KF-94. Mama's Kitchen has a supply of acceptable masks available.

Getting Started: The entire onboarding process for Mama's Kitchen can take 1 day to 2 weeks. Each Kitchen/Staging Volunteer will need to complete the following steps:

Complete a Volunteer Application prior to orientation.

Attend an orientation. View orientation days and times.

Complete a reference check

You'll be added to the Mama's Kitchen volunteer system and will receive emails regarding available shifts with instructions on how to sign up.

Attire: Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes

Physical Requirements: Able to lift up to 15 pounds and move around

Desired Skills/Experience: Bilingual/Multilingual

About Mama's Kitchen

Mama's Kitchen believes that everyone is entitled to the basic necessity of life - nutritious food. Their services improve the health and well-being of individuals and families vulnerable to malnutrition due to critical illness.