Volunteer

Many of our volunteers choose a recurring assignment, working the same kitchen shift or delivery route every one or two weeks, while others sign up for one-time shifts when available.

We are open every Monday through Friday, except for 12 scheduled holidays. Our kitchen and delivery services are closed on Saturday and Sunday, though we occasionally need volunteers to assist with community outreach at weekend events.

Requirements and Expectations for Volunteers

• Our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to each applicant to schedule an intake conversation. Successful applicants will receive an invitation to create a login for MOW Scheduler, which will allow them to sign up for one-time shifts, get e-mail and/or text reminders of upcoming assignments, and cancel shifts when needed.
• Delivery volunteers must consent to an annual background check and if driving, provide documentation that they hold a valid driver’s license and car insurance.
  • Download our Volunteer Driver Requirements and Attestation Form
• Volunteers under 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian. With appropriate supervision, students in middle school or above often fit in well in our kitchen, and younger children can make excellent meal delivery helpers.
• Kitchen volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes and follow food safety instructions provided by our staff. No previous kitchen experience is required.

Volunteering as a Group

We are happy to work with groups of coworkers, students, and others who wish to volunteer together. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Dana Payne at dana@mowtakoma.org or (301) 434-1922 to discuss requirements and scheduling.

The Rewards of Volunteer Service

Here, in their own words, are some of the benefits and pleasures our volunteers have highlighted in our annual surveys:

• Building relationships with clients, volunteers & staff—being a part of a meaningful enterprise.
• The environment and people I volunteer with. Every time I come, the energy is always high.
• Being helpful to folks who need it and making personal connections to clients.
• The opportunity to provide support to those who are homebound.
• Connecting with the other volunteers in the kitchen and working together to do something positive.
• It’s an awesome feeling knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life…and you all make it so easy!

Shift and Service Cancellations

• Canceling a shift: If your schedule changes, please let us know by calling 301-434-1922 or through MOW Scheduler, our online volunteer management portal.
  • When possible, please give us a week’s notice or more so that we can find another volunteer for your shift.
• Holiday closures: We are closed on 12 weekdays each year in honor of holidays. View our holiday calendar with dates for the current year.
• Weather-related closures: We will communicate any decision to close or delay operations by 7:00 AM through a banner on our website, an e-mail to the day’s scheduled volunteers, and an update to our outgoing phone greeting.
  • With occasional exceptions, we are closed and won’t deliver meals when weather causes Montgomery County Public Schools to close all school buildings for the day (Code Orange or Red). During lengthy school closures, we may reopen sooner than schools to ensure that our clients have enough food.
  • We are open and will deliver meals when Montgomery County Public Schools has a delayed opening or early dismissal (Code Yellow or Blue). We appreciate our volunteers’ efforts to arrive at scheduled shift times. Please travel with caution and let us know if you are delayed or unable to make it via email, phone, or MOW Scheduler.

“Meals on Wheels makes volunteering so easy! I volunteer just a couple of hours a week, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I’ve made nice connections with other volunteers and the clients are wonderful–so appreciative of the food, and fun to chat with.”