Meal Service

Meal Service Volunteer Opportunity

We currently serve 250 guests for each meal and need your help serving food and offering a friendly face! 

Volunteers will help with meal preparation, fill trays, hand out drinks, roll silverware, help with clean-up, and offer a face of compassion! 

Qualifications for this opportunity:

• Volunteers at The Center for Women & Children must be female or accompanied by a female. Men can not volunteer on their own. If you are a man planning to volunteer on your own, please look for opportunities at the Shelter for Men or the Men's Residential Center. 
• Co-ed groups of up to 5 are welcome. If you are bringing your children with you, you are considered a team. Please respond as a team. There is only room for 5 volunteers at a time. You might be turned away if you are not registered for the shift.
• Volunteers should be outgoing with good interpersonal skills, can work independently, set and maintain boundaries, have a high degree of integrity, maintain confidentiality, demonstrate sound wisdom, and have a common-sense approach while interacting with guests & residents.
• Minors are welcome and must be accompanied by a parent or adult while serving. We prefer children to be 8 years and older. 
• Plan to be flexible. Duties and shift duration can change depending on the needs of the staff. 

How to sign up

• Click "RESPOND" if you are serving on your own or "RESPOND AS A TEAM" if you will be serving with others (including your children).
• On the next page, scroll down and check the box next to the event date.
• Scroll down a little more and click "SUBMIT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY RESPONSE".

 Groups & Youth  

• All individual volunteers (including children) are required to sign up online before serving.
• Individuals under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult and bring a signed parental waiver.
• Individuals under the age of 12 are not permitted to serve food from the steam table.
• We require 1 adult for every 5 youths under age 18.
• Are you bringing a team? You can learn more about registering teams here.

Entrance and Sign In 

• We are located at 3208 E. Michigan St. in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Parking: You may park on the street near the building, in the gravel lot, or in the gated lot across the street. The code is 2007.
• Entrance: Enter through the courtyard gate. Please ring the doorbell to the left of the front doors at the top of the stairs and let our staff know you are there to volunteer.
• Please place your bag on the bag scanner belt straight ahead of you. Bags of guests, visitors, and volunteers must all be scanned this way. This is for the safety of everyone in the building.
• To your right is a glass door. Our staff will let you in. Proceed to the security area.
• There are 4 ways to check in. Check in and out by using the kiosk in the hall across from the front desk, by scanning the QR code above the kiosk, with the app on your smartphone, or with the link in your email.

Safety and Security

• Each of Wheeler’s residential locations has metal detectors and security cameras to ensure the protection of guests, volunteers, and staff.
• Please do not bring weapons into our facilities.

Other Information 

• When you arrive in the kitchen, check in with Wheeler Mission staff for instructions.
• Dress code: Please wear closed-toed shoes, pants, and shirts with sleeves. Please dress modestly. 
• Interaction with guests: Always offer a smile and hello! Use discernment as to how to interact with guests of the opposite gender. Please do not exchange contact information.
• Gifts: Please do not give money or gifts, unless approved by the Volunteer Ministry Team or Wheeler staff person.
• Photography and videography: You are more than welcome to take photos of our buildings and your volunteer group, but photographs/videos including guests and residents are not permitted.
• Cell phones: Please refrain from using your cell phone while volunteering, as this can distract other volunteers and staff. If you need to use the phone, let the staff know, and they will direct you to another area. Please do not wear earbuds or headphones during your volunteer time. 
• Personal belongings: Please leave belongings in a locked vehicle and out of sight. Wheeler is not responsible for lost or stolen property. 
• Be Flexible: We ask that you come to your scheduled volunteer time with a patient heart and extend flexibility if your opportunity does not go as anticipated!? 

Thank you for being willing to serve with us!