New Volunteers
Thank you for your interest volunteering! Without you A Just Harvest could not fulfill its mission.
There are several ways to volunteer with A Just Harvest:
1. Northside P.O.W.E.R. – Volunteers interested in our Community Organizing work should contact Cindy Bush by calling 773-262-2297 x22. Click here to learn more about Northside P.O.W.E.R.
2. Share your gifts and talents – If you have a special skill, such as plumbing, carpentry, graphic design, photography, fundraising or communications expertise or anything else, let us know. Click here to contact our office manager about opportunities.
3. Community Kitchen – Volunteers interested in serving dinner at the Community Kitchen should read the information below. Our volunteer schedule is full through the end of December, but we are currently scheduling volunteers for after the New Year.
Getting Oriented
Welcome! We look forward to meeting you. Before you volunteer for the first time, you must attend an orientation session. If you’re leading a group that will volunteer for the first time, please encourage your group members to attend. You’ll learn about our history, the patrons you’re serving, our community organizing to fight hunger and poverty, as well as what to expect on your first shift. You can schedule your first shift at the end of your orientation session. Please note that each volunteer orientation session will be capped at 20 participants.
Orientation Schedule
First Saturdays of the month from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and
Third Mondays of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (We will not hold orientation on Monday, Nov 21. The next orientation will be Saturday, December 3.)
Please RSVP by contacting our volunteer coordinator at 773-262-2297 x24 or via email at volunteer [at] ajustharvest.org. You must RSVP ahead of time and receive a confirmation of your registration from our volunteer coordinator. We cannot accommodate walk-ins.
Volunteer Schedule
You must schedule your shift in advance with our volunteer coordinator at 773-262-2297 x24 or via email at volunteer [at] ajustharvest.org.
4:30 p.m.
Arrive at the Kitchen, wash up, put on uniforms, and receive instructions about dinner tasks
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday)
Serve dinner
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Comprehensive cleaning of kitchen and dining room
We Welcome Groups and Individuals
We welcome individuals and small groups. To schedule a shift to volunteer in the Kitchen, please contact our volunteer coordinator at 773-262-2297, ext. 24 or at via email. Please let us know at least 3 days in advance if you are not able to bring as many volunteers as you planned. Out of respect for other volunteers who are scheduled on the same night, please do not bring a group larger than the size for which you scheduled.
Minimum Volunteer Age
Except under limited circumstances, the minimum age of volunteers is 12 years old. If you are bringing a group of children between the ages of 12-14, please bring 3 adults to help supervise.
What to Wear
For safety reasons, you must wear pants and closed toed shoes, even in the dog days of summer. You will be handling hot food and beverages, and dressing accordingly will help protect you against burns or other accidents. We provide hairnets and gloves (required by the health department) and aprons.
What to Bring
Bring your spirit of service and camaraderie! We serve 150+ meals nightly, and we couldn’t do it without the collaborative energy of volunteers. Be prepared to work hard and have fun.
Money to feed the meter… Parking outside the Kitchen is metered and costs $1 per hour. Chicago parking meters now accept credit cards.
Please leave your valuables at home. Coats will be stored in the back, but will not be locked up. Please leave purses, Ipods, jewelry, and other valuables at home. A Just Harvest will not be responsible for any items lost or stolen.
