So you’re thinking about volunteering at the Haley House Soup Kitchen, but you don’t know what to expect? This feeling of not knowing may create anxiety or nerves, especially if you consider yourself more type A and prefer to be extra prepared. But volunteering here at Haley House shouldn’t produce anxiety; it should be exciting, fun, and a good way to connect with the community. It’s a place where people come together across differences to share a meal, share stories, and support one another.
Here is what to expect at your first shift so that you can come in feeling ready and leave already looking forward to your next shift.
Before You Arrive
You don’t need to bring anything with you except a willingness to help. There are many different tasks to complete, from chopping fruit to prepping meat to washing dishes, so absolutely no previous culinary experience is necessary. In terms of attire, please wear closed-toed shoes and a shirt with sleeves. If you want, come in wearing a hat or bandana; otherwise, get ready to rock a hairnet. When you arrive (promptly at 6:00 am for a morning shift), go to the kitchen entrance on Montgomery Street and knock if it’s locked. Don’t worry if you’re a few minutes early or unsure where to go; someone will be there to greet you and show you the ropes.
The Meal Preparation
Every shift will open with a circle to get to know each other and set expectations for the day. Everyone will go around and say their name and answer an icebreaker question before the shift Lead walks everyone through the menu for the day and starts assigning tasks. Typically, you’ll be assigned to either cutting fruits and vegetables, prepping the meat, washing dishes, or making a dessert. The shift Lead and more experienced volunteers will be around to answer questions and help you find anything you need. As we start preparing the meal, we listen to music, chat with other volunteers, and greet guests who begin coming inside to eat leftover food from the day before while they wait for the meal to be served.
Serving the Meal
For a morning shift, we begin serving at 8:30 am. A few volunteers will line up behind the serving table to greet guests and distribute food. The other volunteers will continue finishing any food that isn’t ready yet, washing dishes, and taking breaks to eat and chat with guests. At Haley House, we don’t just serve food, we also build community by forming relationships and creating connections. One of the most memorable parts of a shift is getting to interact with guests and exchange names, stories, and laughs. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to get in on a game of Uno and get your name on the leaderboard that hangs in the dining room. Even if you show up knowing no one, you’ll leave with new connections. There’s something about working side-by-side in the kitchen and sharing a meal that makes people open up.
After the Meal
After we finish serving at 9:30 am, it’s all hands on deck for cleanup. With everyone pitching in and the music playing, it goes surprisingly quickly. We pack up leftover food, wipe down surfaces, mop the floors, wash and put away dishes, restock the fridge, and get the kitchen and dining room ready for the next shift. Finally, we end the way we started with a closing circle where we say names again and answer another question about ourselves. This practice builds community within our volunteers and keeps people coming back.
Thinking about Signing Up?
If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a shift, please do! Just know, you don’t need to have experience to volunteer. Everyone is learning as they go, and is more than happy to answer questions and help new volunteers. Volunteering at Haley House is more than a shift; it’s a chance to show up for your community in a real, tangible way. You’ll leave feeling energized, connected, and already thinking about when you can come back.