New breakfast and lunchtime volunteering options
Now serving: HOPE 4 Youth volunteering that will fulfill a critical need and build important connections.
“This is as much about friendships as it is food,” said Manager of Community Engagement Nikki Kalvin. “These new offerings are ways to create bonds between volunteers and the young people who we serve.”
The HOPE Place Breakfast Club
Weekend mornings at HOPE Place will now include a casual breakfast over which residents and front-desk volunteers can get to know each other while they start their day.
“This is perfect for a morning person who loves conversation and treating hungry young people to a meal,” said Kalvin.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, individuals or small groups of volunteers will bring in breakfast food to share with the 12 young people living at our transitional housing facility in Coon Rapids. Meals should be simple, requiring little or no refrigeration or heating.
“We envision easy treats with a healthy option,” said Kalvin. “We want the focus to be more on people and less on food prep.”
Examples of possible breakfasts include:
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- Pastries and seasonal fruit
- Muffins and bananas
- Bagels with cream cheese options
- Breakfast bars and apples
- Donuts, coffee and orange juice
Kalvin says volunteers should plan to arrive at 7 a.m. to have breakfast ready by 7:30 a.m. The food and beverages should remain available until the end of the shift at 11 a.m.
In addition to time spent getting to know the young people who stop by for breakfast, the volunteers will manage the HOPE Place front desk, tracking the comings and goings of residents and guests, restocking the food pantry and tidying the welcome area.
HOPE Place Breakfast Club volunteers are needed for all Saturday and Sunday mornings, including holidays.
Visit the Volunteer page to sign up to be a breakfast volunteer.
Mon., Wed., Fri. lunches
Due to an increased demand for hot meals, three lunches are being added to the schedule at the HOPE 4 Youth Drop-In Center.
“The popularity of our dinners has young people asking for earlier meals,” explained Kalvin. “We are hoping to inspire enough volunteer support for a few midday meals each week.”
Similar to the evening meal system, volunteers provide a fully prepared lunch to youth visiting the drop-in center. The meal can be prepared at home or purchased from a local restaurant to serve 10-12 people.
Food should be dropped off by 11:30 a.m. for a noon lunch. Volunteers can drop off the meal or stay to serve it.
Volunteers are needed for all lunches on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Visit the Volunteer page to sign up to be a lunch volunteer.
