Opportunities From: MEND

Volunteer Impact: Help MEND feed 30-50 participants during our First Step and Living Wise and Well programs. Volunteering in the kitchen can be a great way to give back to your community. Your time and impact can make a big impact on our Homeless and senior population.

Description of Duties & Responsibilities: Volunteers assist with the preparation and distribution of meals for community members in need. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to assembling to-go dinner bags with a hot meal/cold meals; preparing items such as soups, sandwiches, dessert trays, and other food items; and cutting or prepping produce and meats for upcoming meals. Volunteers may also help with organizing and packaging donated foods for future service.

During meal service, volunteers will help with setting up the service area, including drink stations, and menus, and serve hot or cold meals. After service, volunteers assist with kitchen cleanup, including washing dishes, tidying prep areas, and collecting trash to ensure a clean and organized environment.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy working as part of a team, are detail-oriented, and want to make a direct impact by helping provide nutritious meals in a welcoming setting.

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Good communication skills; ability to interact with volunteers and participants. Volunteers must be patient while working with the MEND community. Must be able to move up to 25 pounds. Ability to work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff to prepare and serve meals efficiently. Following hygiene, handling, and sanitation guidelines when preparing or serving food. Maintaining a positive and respectful attitude toward all guests to create a welcoming environment.

Dress Code: Wear comfortable clothing suitable for physical kitchen work. Opt for items that allow for a full range of movement and are not overly restrictive. Wear closed-toe with non-slip soles to protect your feet. No Crocs. Shorts may be worn under the following conditions: All shorts must fall at the knee, all shorts must be worn at waist level (no ‘sagging’), made of cotton, jean, or ‘Dickies’ type material (no nylon type or running shorts, bicycle type shorts, yoga shorts). 

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

Description of Duties: Help MEND during our onsite Food Distributions where we serve hundreds of families with fresh produce and food in hopes of eliminating food insecurity. Assist MEND’s food distribution by setting up assembly line, assembling food kits, sorting through donated food items, distributing food bags to the community, and light cleanup after distribution.

Volunteer Impact: Support MEND’s effort to assist families facing food insecurity by organizing food donations, sorting and preparing for distribution. Assist with set up and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to the community.

Specific Responsibilities: You will be assisting MEND in providing a supply of quality, healthy produce, and other foods to the community in addition to general mental health and wellness resources. Assist with intake of participants receiving food during our modified food distribution. Help with the set-up, clean-up, and breakdown of your station as necessary. Assist in handing out of food/produce to client. Assist in sorting, preparing, and organizing food donations. Communicate any important message to the participant as necessary.  

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Volunteers must be comfortable with physical activity and lifting. Ability to move up to 30 lbs.

Description of Duties: Help MEND during our onsite Food Distributions where we serve hundreds of families with fresh produce and food in hopes of eliminating food insecurity. Assist MEND’s food distribution by setting up assembly line, assembling food kits, sorting through donated food items, distributing food bags to the community, and light cleanup after distribution.

Volunteer Impact: Support MEND’s effort to assist families facing food insecurity by organizing food donations, sorting and preparing for distribution. Assist with set up and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to the community.

Specific Responsibilities: You will be assisting MEND in providing a supply of quality, healthy produce, and other foods to the community in addition to general mental health and wellness resources. Assist with intake of participants receiving food during our modified food distribution. Help with the set-up, clean-up, and breakdown of your station as necessary. Assist in handing out of food/produce to client. Assist in sorting, preparing, and organizing food donations. Communicate any important message to the participant as necessary.  

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Volunteers must be comfortable with physical activity and lifting. Ability to move up to 30 lbs.

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: The Yoga Instructor Volunteer is responsible for leading and engaging moderate yoga classes in a group setting. The Yoga Volunteer will demonstrate and explain how to perform various poses and movements suitable for people of all experience levels, including seniors. The Yoga Instructor Volunteer will observe participants do poses and ensure that they are using correct technique and provide alternatives for participants unable to perform certain movements. 

Impact: The Pathways to Wellness volunteer plays an important role in creating a welcoming and professional environment for all staff, participants and visitors that come to MEND.

Specific Responsibilities: Lead, instruct, and motivate groups of participants in yoga using a yoga mat for seating or balancing poses. Promote the benefits of yoga such as relaxation, tension release in muscles/joints, and boost strength, flexibility, and mental well-being. Ensure yoga classes are manageable for all participants.  Ensure classes begin on time and end on time. Ensure an appropriate music playlist is prepared ahead of time. Assist and answer participants yoga-related questions and ensure safety standards are met. 

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Yoga teacher training and previous experience in leading a yoga class, bilingual, strong customer service, and professional demeanor demonstrate cultural competence and be sensitive to vulnerable populations leading with empathy and inclusiveness. Must be CPR Certified.

Dress Code: Dress in a way that allows for comfort, flexibility, and functionality.  Wear clean and appropriate clothing that contributes to a professional appearance. Wear non-slip comfortable shoes. 

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.

Description of Duties: Help MEND during our monthly onsite Diaper and Food Distributions where we serve hundreds of families with essential baby products, fresh produce, and food in hopes of eliminating food insecurity. Assist MEND’s distribution by setting up assembly line, assembling essential baby resources for distribution, sorting through donated food items, distributing food to the community, and light cleanup after distribution.

Volunteer Impact: Support MEND’s effort to assist families facing food insecurity by organizing food donations, sorting and preparing for distribution. Support families by providing them with essential baby products as well as resources to ensure families have the necessities for their children. Assist with set up and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to the community.

Specific Responsibilities: You will be assisting MEND in providing a supply of quality, healthy produce, and other foods to the community in addition to general mental health and wellness resources. Assist with intake of participants receiving food during our modified food distribution. Help with the set-up, clean-up, and breakdown of your station as necessary. Assist with handing out diapers and wipes to qualifying families. Communicate any important message to the participant as necessary.  

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Volunteers must be comfortable with physical activity and lifting. Ability to move up to 35 lbs.

Dress Code: Wear comfortable clothing suitable for physical work. Opt for items that allow for a full range of movement and are not overly restrictive. Must wear secure closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles.

** Street parking ONLY no onsite parking **

Description of Duties: The Yoga Instructor Volunteer is responsible for leading and engaging moderate yoga classes in a group setting. The Yoga Volunteer will demonstrate and explain how to perform various poses and movements suitable for people of all experience levels, including seniors. The Yoga Instructor Volunteer will observe participants do poses and ensure that they are using correct technique and provide alternatives for participants unable to perform certain movements. 

Impact: The Pathways to Wellness volunteer plays an important role in creating a welcoming and professional environment for all staff, participants and visitors that come to MEND.

Specific Responsibilities: Lead, instruct, and motivate groups of participants in yoga using a yoga mat for seating or balancing poses. Promote the benefits of yoga such as relaxation, tension release in muscles/joints, and boost strength, flexibility, and mental well-being. Ensure yoga classes are manageable for all participants.  Ensure classes begin on time and end on time. Ensure an appropriate music playlist is prepared ahead of time. Assist and answer participants yoga-related questions and ensure safety standards are met. 

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Yoga teacher training and previous experience in leading a yoga class, bilingual, strong customer service, and professional demeanor demonstrate cultural competence and be sensitive to vulnerable populations leading with empathy and inclusiveness. Must be CPR Certified.

Dress Code: Dress in a way that allows for comfort, flexibility, and functionality.  Wear clean and appropriate clothing that contributes to a professional appearance. Wear non-slip comfortable shoes. 

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.

Description of Duties: Help MEND during the Hope Wellness Care event to serve hundreds of families who can select fresh fruits and vegetables. Assist MEND’s Buen Provecho – Farmers Market including set up of produce, bread, and packaged goods for distribution to participants, or line control. Sort donated food items and support in building food kits. Needs will be determined on the day of the event.

Volunteer Impact: Support MEND’s effort to assist families facing food insecurity by organizing food donations, sorting and preparing for distribution. Assist with set up and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to the community.

Specific Responsibilities: You will be assisting MEND in providing a supply of quality, healthy produce, and other foods to the community in addition to general mental health and wellness resources. Assist with intake of participants receiving food during our modified food distribution and check-in/ check-out process by weighing bags of food. Help with the set-up, clean-up, and breakdown of your station as necessary. Assist in handing out of food/produce to client. Assist in sorting, preparing, and organizing food donations. Communicate any important message to the participant as necessary. 

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Volunteers must be comfortable with physical activity and lifting. Ability to move up to 35 lbs.

** Street parking ONLY no onsite parking **