Volunteering with Optage Meals provides a golden opportunity to directly help older individuals in your community. Our volunteers deliver much more than a meal! They bring warm smiles and much-needed safety checks to seniors and adults with disabilities. As a driver, you will make valued connections with your neighbors and help them remain independent in their own homes. Volunteers assist with delivering meals to clients, occasionally putting away meals in clients' freezers, and bringing cheer to everyone they interact with. Volunteers are invited to bring their spouse, children, or grandchildren in the car with them!
Essential Duties for Volunteers:
- Deliver meals to the homes of scheduled clients
- Follow delivery route instructions
- Report back to primary Optage driver, intake team, or volunteer coordinator with any concerns
- Maintain a respectful relationship with clients, staff, and volunteers
- Maintain confidentiality of client records and personal information
- Contact volunteer coordinator in a timely manner if you have unexpected changes to your volunteer schedule
Minimum Qualifications:
- Outgoing, caring, and cheerful
- Enjoy helping people and working with diverse populations
- Ability to provide positive customer service
- Access to your own vehicle
- Valid driver's license
- Valid proof of insurance
- Ability to pass a background check
- Ability to pass a DMV check
- Reliable in all weather conditions
- Ability to lift 15-30lb delivery bags into your vehicle and climb stairs with them if necessary
Location and Time Commitment/Hours:
- Each route typically takes between 1-2 hours to complete, but sometimes less. We are able to adjust how many clients you'll be delivering to according to your needs. We are currently looking for volunteer drivers who would be able to drive a regular Monday route in Rogers or fill in open routes. All volunteer delivery drivers on Mondays pick up meals and drop off their clipboards at NorthRidge Fellowship in Rogers.
Work Environment:
- This position is completed using your own personal vehicle to deliver meals within the Rogers area. While we care deeply about the safety of our drivers and can make last-minute adjustments if necessary, we are looking for individuals who would be comfortable driving in all types of weather.
Benefits to Volunteers:
- Ability to build relationships with seniors and adults with disabilities
- Consistent recognition and appreciation
- Flexible schedule
Reports To:
- Optage Meals Volunteer Coordinator (Riley McCall)
Training and/or Support Provided:
- General volunteer orientation
- Annual volunteer training
- Specific ride-along training if/when needed and/or desired