Shelter Meal Coordinator

Our YWCA Women’s Shelter is seeking a compassionate and reliable volunteer to support our community through the power of a shared meal. This role involves creating a simple weekly meal plan and preparing one large, nourishing meal each day for the women and children staying in the shelter.

Volunteers help ensure families have access to one main meal during a time when stability and care matter most. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact by providing not just food, but a sense of warmth, dignity, and community.

Qualifications:

• Ability to plan simple, organized weekly grocery list
• Basic cooking skills and confidence preparing one main meal for larger group
• Understanding of safe food handling and kitchen cleanliness practices
• Reliable, consistent, and able to follow a set schedule
• Respectful, compassionate, and able to maintain confidentiality in a shelter setting
• Ability to work independently while following YWCA guidelines
• Must be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds
• Willingness to complete any required background checks and orientation
• See physical requirements

Responsibilities:

• Create a simple, organized weekly grocery list based on planned meals (must enjoy spending time planning meals and creating shopping lists)
• Prepare one large, nourishing meal each day for shelter residents
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming kitchen space
• Work cooperatively with shelter residents, staff and other volunteers
• Oversee the upkeep of the shelter kitchen

Time Commitment:

• This position is needed daily to support the ongoing needs of our shelter. Volunteers are welcome to choose the day(s) that best fit their personal schedule, whether committing to one day per week or multiple days as they are able.
• The time of day for each volunteer shift will be coordinated between the volunteer and the program manager to ensure the needs of the kitchen and residents are met.
• A minimum commitment of approximately 2 hours per shift is requested to allow time for meal preparation and basic kitchen upkeep.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds

Bending

Twisting

Sitting

Standing