Volunteering with the Fredericton Community Kitchens is an enjoyable and rewarding experience that many volunteers say they will never forget!
Not sure whether volunteering is right for you?
Want to feel ready for your first day “on the job”?
Follow the link below and complete our short Volunteer Training Guide to find all the answers to your burning questions and feel confident signing up to become a member of the kitchen team!
Here are a few volunteer FAQs that you might be curious about if you are thinking of volunteering at the Kitchens. If you have any further questions, please contact us at volunteer@frederictoncommunitykitchens.com! If you are ready to take the next step to becoming a volunteer, sign-up below!
We are located at 65 Brunswick Street which is behind the Victoria Health Centre Building. The kitchens are located in the same building as the Fredericton Homeless Shelter. Our door can be accessed by walking down the driveway between this building and the chain fence. You will see a sign indicating our entrance on the left.
How do I find you?
DO THE KITCHENS HAVE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES?
Yes! People of all abilities are welcome to volunteer here at the Kitchens. Please let us know of your interests and we will do our best to find a volunteer position that is the best fit for you! There is plenty of work to be done during all stages of meal preparation, and our downtown kitchen is wheelchair accessible. Please inquire for further details.
ARE YOUTH (18 AND UNDER) ALLOWED TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE KITCHENS?
Our youth age policy currently states that youth under fourteen are not allowed to volunteer at the Kitchens unless they are granted special permission from the Executive Director (examples of this include school groups, scouts/guides, teams, and individual families). Children must be accompanied by parents/supervisors. Email ed@frederictoncommunitykitchens.com for inquiries.
Youth aged fourteen and fifteen can volunteer at the Kitchens, as long as they have permission from a parent/guardian. They are not permitted to volunteer at the Kitchens when guests are present, but they are welcome to help with preparation work! Parents/supervisors must be present with the children.
Sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen year old youth can volunteer at the Kitchens only if they have parent/guardian permission. There are no restrictions about times or locations they can volunteer, but a parent/supervisor must be present with the youth.
WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE KITCHENS?
As little or as much commitment as you want! Many volunteers come in just once, twice, or simply whenever they are able to. Some volunteers also like to come in regularly on a certain shift. Many shift teams develop close bonds through volunteering! However, there is no pressure to keep volunteering with us if it is not the right fit for you at the moment.
DO YOU REQUIRE VOLUNTEERS TO HAVE PREVIOUS KITCHEN EXPERIENCE?
Kitchen experience is not required to volunteer at the Kitchens (although it certainly won’t hurt!).
WILL I HAVE TO COOK MEALS WHILE VOLUNTEERING AT THE KITCHENS?
As a volunteer, you will be very involved with meal preparation (from buttering rolls, to peeling potatoes, to making juice) but you won’t be doing anything involving cooking or planning meals, as we are lucky enough to have two wonderful cooks and two amazing chefs.
BESIDES VOLUNTEERING DURING MEAL SERVICE, ARE THERE ANY OTHER WAYS TO DONATE TIME TO THE KITCHENS?
There are many ways to get involved with the Kitchens:
- Packing school lunches and food backpacks for students in need;
- Organizing fundraisers;
- Joining the Board of Directors;
- Meal prep;
- Cleaning up after a meal;
- Help serve a meal;
- Youth can get involved through student hunger programs at their schools (for example, Kat’s Kitchen at Fredericton High School, and Feed the Lions at Leo Hayes High School).
If you have an idea as to how you can help the Kitchens, we’d love to hear from you!
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
When you volunteer at the Kitchens, please come to your shift wearing closed toed shoes, a shirt or tee shirt with sleeves (no tank tops or sleeveless tops, please!), and pants that come down to the knee. Aprons, hairnets, and gloves are provided on-site. You may bring your own ball cap if you like; or there are newly washed ones on-site.
What day/time should I come in to volunteer?
The breakfast volunteer shift is from 7:00 am to 8:30 am (Monday to Friday)
The lunch shift is from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Monday to Friday)
The supper shift is from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
The brunch shift is from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
*If the shift times above do not work for your schedule or you need a shorter shift, just let us know and we will help find something that works for you!