Volunteer
For Fall 2026:
we need volunteers on Wednesday (through September only) and Friday evenings
from 5:45 - 7:00 pm.
You can see our meal locations here.
Volunteer activities typically include the following:
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Setting tables
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Portioning food on plates
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Serving plates or tea to guests
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Assembling take-out meals
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Washing dishes
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Washing tables and floors
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General clean-up after the meal
If you would like to volunteer at a Monday or Wednesday meal or have any general questions about the meal service, please email volunteers@uchcphiladelphia.org
For medical clinic volunteering: uchcmedclinic@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
For the Hillel meal on Sundays: hillelsoupkitchen@gmail.com
Group Volunteering
We are a very small organization and are unfortunately unable to accept groups of any size to volunteer at the meals. However, we have had groups organize donation drives or purchase and assemble supplies for distribution at a meal. Please visit our In-Kind Donation page [hyperlink] to learn more about the types of donations we accept. If organizing a drive is of interest for your group, please email volunteers@uchcphiladelphia.org to coordinate further.
Volunteer
Guidelines
Basic Schedule
5:30-5:45 Volunteers arrive
5:45-6:00 Tables set with forks and napkins, food is set out for serving
6:00-6:15 Dinner served (volunteers welcome to eat after all guests served)
6:30-6:45 Seconds (if any) served
6:45-7:00 Begin clean-up and wash dishes
7:00–7:15 End clean-up and leave meal site
Volunteer Jobs
● Distribute forks and napkins to guests.
● Serve food: Add a standard portion (you will be told how much) of the main dish,
vegetable, bread, or dessert to every plate.
● Carry plates: Carry the plates to the meal coordinator, who will indicate which guests to
serve. Always go to the guest or table indicated by the meal coordinator, even if other
guests arrive late or approach you requesting a plate. Return to the food line and repeat
this procedure until everyone is served.
● Serve tea: Begin serving wherever the meal coordinator starts serving plates, and follow
the meal coordinator so that the guests get something to drink around the same time
they receive their food. Carry a pitcher and some cups for guests who do not already
have a cup. If you start serving one table and run out of tea, get more and finish serving
your table before starting another table.
● Clean-up: Wipe the tables with soapy water. At some sites, the tables and chairs should
also be put away. Wash and dry dishes and put them away, sweep and/or mop the floor
if required, and take out the trash.
Basic Rules
● Volunteers under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal
guardian.
● Conduct yourself with the utmost respect and safety for guests, other volunteers, and the
spaces in which our meals are hosted.
● Adhere to meal coordinator/floor manager requests and guidelines at all times.
● Bring any issues or major questions to the meal coordinator’s attention as soon as
possible.
● Only volunteers are allowed in the kitchen and food preparation area.
● All volunteers should wear gloves when handling or serving food, and long hair should
be pulled back.
● All guests should be treated equally, with no guest receiving special privileges.
Volunteers are invited to eat after the guests are served. Another volunteer must serve
you your plate.
● We offer one plate, cup, fork, and napkin to each guest. Please ask a meal coordinator
before distributing any extras.
● Do not attempt to convert guests to a given religion or belief system.
● Do not take photos at the meal site, especially of guests.
● If you are experiencing a fever, stomach issues, symptoms of COVID or are not feeling
well, please do not volunteer that day.
● DO feel free to sit and eat with our guests and get to know them—the "H" in UCHC
stands for hospitality!
● When in doubt, ask the meal coordinator or an experienced volunteer for help.
