Become a Volunteer!
Our community plays an integral role in Teen Feed’s ability to help youth as they transition off the streets. We simply could not do this important work without the help of our committed volunteers. Whether it be a day of service, preparing a meal, being an advocate at our meal team program or providing office support, your energy and time are welcomed and appreciated. Volunteer positions are always available!
The first step to volunteer involvement with Teen Feed is attending the Teen Feed Orientation, held the first Wednesday of the month from 5 – 6:30pm at University Congregational Church at 4515 16th Ave NE. The Teen Feed sign will be posted outside of the entrance at 45th Ave NE & 16th Ave NE to show you where to go. If you plan to join us, please RSVP to volunteer@teenfeed.org.
Current Volunteer Opportunities for Teen Feed include:
Advocate Volunteers
Advocates are responsible adult volunteers, over 18 years of age, who provide consistency and relationship at the Teen Feed meal program. Advocates play a key role in providing connection for youth. The heart of our Teen Feed program, they must be able to commit to two hours a week, for a minimum period of six months. After attending the orientation, volunteers receive support and instruction through “The Ropes,” a University District-wide volunteer training to teach volunteers how to listen to and interact with the youth we serve with respect and understanding. Advocates will shadow an experienced volunteer or staff member for the first month of their volunteer term, after which they will begin their work alongside youth.
For more information, please email volunteer@teenfeed.org. Feel free to attach a completed advocate application to your email. Please note: If applying to be an Advocate, you’ll also need to fill out a Washington State Patrol ID & Criminal History Form.
Meal Team Volunteers
Meal teams consist of 5-15 people of all ages who provide and serve a hot, nutritious meal to youth at the Teen Meal Program. Meal Team Members provide food (either purchased or donated), cook and serve the meals, and clean the kitchen when done. The Teen Feed meals are served to youth from 7:00 – 8:00p.m. at local sites, with meal preparation beginning as early as 5:30p.m. This commitment ranges from a one time meal team to preparing meals on a scheduled monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly basis. We are available to help our food team members plan their meal using specific nutritional suggestions and can provide in-kind credit for their donation of food supplies. Food Team Members average three hours a month and a meal which serves 40-70 youth each night, typically costs under $200. Corporate groups looking for team-building activities and social or civic groups make great meal teams!
For more information, please email volunteer@teenfeed.org. Feel free to attach a completed meal team application to your email.
Weekly Volunteers (ages 18 & under):
The weekly volunteer position is ideal for middle or high school students in need of service learning hours, or any person who is under 18 years of age who would like to donate their time to Teen Feed. The weekly volunteer commits to one night a week to assist with the organization, set-up and break-down of the basic needs closet, assist with guest registration or help the food team with meal preparation, serving, and clean-up. Weekly volunteers should be prepared to arrive at 6:30p.m. and stay until 8:30p.m. To ensure we provide consistency during our program, we ask for a 6 month commitment from weekly volunteers.
For more information, please email volunteer@teenfeed.org. Feel free to attach a completed Weekly Volunteer application to your email.
Teen Feed Weekly Volunteer Application
Day of Caring Volunteer Teams
Like to volunteer in support of programs, but can’t manage an extended commitment? We would love your help keeping our meal team sites sparkling clean for our meal teams and Teen Feed guests. We need volunteers to help staff our quarterly deep-cleaning days, where we organize a large group of volunteers to clean the kitchen spaces we use for Teen Feed. This is ideal for high school, church, and college groups participating in short-term service learning projects as well as corporate teams looking for team-building activities.
Office & Development Volunteers
Do you want give back but direct service isn’t for you? Are you looking for a way to build your development skills and experience? As Teen Feed continues to meet the needs of youth on the streets, we have a growing need for support in the Teen Feed office. We are looking for general volunteers to assist with data entry, mailings, general office tasks and development activities. There are additional development and special event support opportunities available if desired. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Teen Feed office, please reach suzanne@teenfeed.org.
I want to be a ______ volunteer!
Do you have an idea for volunteering or a skill set that doesn’t fit any of these above descriptions? Email the Teen Feed team at volunteer@teenfeed.org and let us know your idea; we’re always looking for more creative ways for the community to be involved.
