Opportunities From: MEND

Description of Duties: Join us for our First Step Program! Every Thursday, we provide participants experiencing homelessness curated food bags, fresh fruit, clothing items (dependent on availability), and hygiene kits. We need your support in distributing these items to our participants. Your participation will add warmth to our welcoming environment, creating a moment of community care and support.

Specific Responsibilities:  

·       Set up tables and chairs for the distribution

·       Greet and chat with participants during distribution

·       Help organize food items on distribution tables

·       Distribute food items, clothing, and/or hygiene kits

·       Keep the area clean

·       Breakdown tables after program and help throw out any trash

 

Time Commitment: Thursdays, 8:15 AM to 11:15 AM (3 hours)

 

Qualification: Qualifications:

o   Ability to bend, reach, and grasp food items

o   Ability to lift 10-15 pounds

o   Kind/Friendly attitude

o   Customer Service Skills or Trauma-informed care knowledge

o   Bilingual Spanish/English is a great plus!

 

Dress Code: Volunteers should wear comfortable, clean, and professional attire suitable for a community event. Closed-toe shoes are required. Be prepared to stand and move throughout your shift. 

Covid-19 Vaccination and Masking: Regardless of vaccination status, masking is optional MEND will continue to provide masks for volunteers.  

Description of Duties: Help us serve up holiday cheer by playing an important role at MEND’s Seat at the Table event. Connect, smile, and share warm moments at this holiday celebration honoring 100 of our unhoused neighbors with a holiday breakfast. Each volunteer will ensure the event runs smoothly from beginning to end by assisting with setup, guest service, making new holiday memories with our guests, and clean up.

 

Impact: By joining us at A Seat at the Table, a special holiday celebration for our unhoused neighbors, volunteers will create a morning that is much more than breakfast. They will be a part of a new holiday memory that provides a restaurant style breakfast experience, entertainment, gifts,  joyful moments, and food bags. Volunteers will ensure our guests feel welcomed, cared for, and snow special!

 

Specific Responsibilities: Volunteers will assist with setting up tables, decorations, and serving areas before the event. They will assist with all other preparation work as directed by MEND staff. Then they will welcome and register guests, take their breakfast orders, and deliver food, coffee, juice to the guests’ tables. Volunteers will also help distribute gifts and food bags to guests. They will also support MEND staff with any other tasks needed throughout the event. Once the event ends, volunteers will help clean up.

 

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Volunteers should have a friendly, patient, and compassionate attitude when interacting with our unhoused neighbors. They must be comfortable standing, walking, and carrying up to 20 lbs as part of their duties. The ability to follow directions, work cooperatively as part of a team, and maintain a positive attitude is essential. Volunteers must also have reliable transportation and arrive on time.

 

Dress Code: Holiday attire is encouraged! Volunteers may wear festive but appropriate attire.  Closed-toe shoes are required for safety, and clothing should be comfortable and suitable for serving food and participating in setup and cleanup activities.

 

Time Commitment: This is a one-time volunteer opportunity taking place on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., which includes setup and cleanup time.

 

Covid-19 Vaccination and Masking: MEND follows the LA Public Health Guidelines for COVID-19 cases (isolation) and close contact.  While at MEND masks are optional.

The above volunteer description serves to provide a summary of duties and responsibilities as a Volunteer at MEND. Volunteers do not receive compensation for services provided and should have no assurance or reason to expect pay or employment from the volunteer activity. Volunteers are not eligible for any benefits, including unemployment or workers' compensation.