MEAL PROVIDER

Number of volunteers: 1-5 volunteers

Summary: Sponsor a meal for the many moms, dads, and kids who are staying at the Family Village shelter. Because meal providers purchase all ingredients, this volunteer position is also a financial contribution. We rely on the generosity of our community to keep families well-fed and nourished! There are three different types of meals you can participate in:

  • Brunch - Sat, drop off between 9:30-10:30am (30 or 60 servings) 

  • Dinner - Mon, Wed, Sat, or Sun, drop off between 4-6pm (30 or 60 servings)

  • Sack Lunches - Mon-Fri, drop off between 9-11am (30 servings)*

Shifts: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday mornings and late afternoons - Delivery only (2-3 hours)

Requirements: 

  • No meals with seafood.

  • No meals with peanuts (Exception: Peanut butter for sack lunches is OK).

  • Do not prepare a meal if you are sick. 

The Nitty Gritty - Brunch & Dinner:

Step #1

Prepare a home cooked meal, pick out your favorites at Costco, or have it catered. We request 30 hearty servings. Or, for our ambitious volunteers, you can double that and do 60 servings. The meal is delivered hot and ready to eat on your scheduled day and is accepted by staff to be transported to the kitchen for service. 

Step #2

Day of -- The fun part! Begin preparing and cooking your food.

  1. Once completed, label each dish with the date and time it was completed. This helps us know the freshness of the food in case there are leftovers that get stored for use in the coming days (By the way, we love leftovers!). 

  2. Complete the allergen/ingredient checklist. Volunteers do not need to provide any special dish for families who have food allergies or a food lifestyle choice (vegan or vegetarian). It’s delicate to navigate and it’s easier to let staff handle any special food accommodations. Please provide the checklist with your meal so families can make informed choices.

  3. Deliver to Path Home, 6220 SE 92nd Avenue. Entrance is on the south side of the main building. You may double park at the doors for a brief drop off. Shelter staff are ready with a cart to accept your food and bring it to the kitchen for service. If you are running late, please call the Family Village to notify staff (971-409-1766). 

The Nitty Gritty - Sack Lunches

Step #1

Assemble 30 lunches and include the classics: 

  • 15 Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches 

  • 15 meat and cheese sandwiches (spread mayo and mustard or include condiment packets). Lettuce and tomato are optional. 

  • Include 2-3 additional lunch snacks, such as: fruit or a fruit cup, chips or crackers, and/or a cookie or granola bar.

  • Label the bags with the date and what they are (Ex: PBJ or Turkey/Cheese). You are welcome to add artwork to the bags as well.

Step #2

The 30 sack lunches are delivered on your scheduled day. Deliver to Path Home, 6220 SE 92nd Avenue. Entrance is on the south side of the main building. You may double park at the doors for a brief drop off. Shelter staff are ready with a cart to accept your food and bring it to the kitchen for service. If you are running late, please call the Family Village to notify staff (971-409-1766). 

* Off Site Sack Lunches

If time is limited and distance is a factor, business teams, organizations, or faith communities have the opportunity to participate in sack lunches at your location. This means that the food supplies would be purchased by your group and brought to your location (business, synagogue, etc.). A Path Home staff or volunteer leader would meet you at your location, share an overview about Path Home, and then participating volunteers would assemble the lunches together. When lunches are finished, they would be transported by the Path Home representative back to Family Village for meal service (Note: We will do our best to accommodate further distances, but prefer to stay within 15 miles of Path Home). 

Shift: Monday-Friday, 9:30-10:30am (There is more flexibility if you are assembling lunches the day prior)

Commitment: We encourage 2-4 sack lunch shifts when possible. Path Home is happy to come to you for the first commitment to show you the process and share more about our organization. We hope you would feel inspired to continue and do additional sack lunches during the year (Ex: once a quarter). If this is of interest, but the delivery to Path Home is a barrier, we can discuss the possibility of a volunteer picking up and transporting the lunches on your behalf. 

What does the group provide?

  • White Bread - 4-5 loaves (for 30 sandwiches)

  • Deli turkey, chicken, or ham - about 2 lbs (more if thin sliced)

  • Sliced cheddar - 15 slices 

  • Mayo (20 oz) or 15 individual packets

  • Yellow mustard (12 oz) or 15 individual packets

  • JIF or Skippy creamy peanut butter (28 oz) 

  • Strawberry, grape, blackberry, or raspberry  jam (18 oz) -

  • 2-3 snacks of your choice. Examples:

    • Fresh fruit or fruit cups (3 boxes of 12 packs) 

    • Cheez-Its packets (2 boxes of 20 each)

    • Fruit snacks (1 box of 40 pouches)

    • String cheese (2 packs of 16)

    • Trailmix packets (2 boxes of 18 packs or 1 box of 40 pack)

    • Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars (1 box of 24 and 1 box of 6)

  • Brown paper bags (30)

  • Ziplocks (30)

  • Optional: Tomatoes and lettuce for 15 sandwiches

What does Path Home Provide for the initial Sack Lunch shift? 

  • Cutting boards

  • Gloves

  • Knives

What kind of space is needed? 

  • Clear surface area - Three 6-8’ tables is sufficient

  • Access to a sink

  • Access to a refrigerator is helpful, but not required.