Volunteering


We are blessed to have volunteers from our entire community at the Guild of St Margaret Soup Kitchen. If you would like to donate time to help, please contact us. Every hand is a helping hand.

Anyone interested in volunteering must attend a volunteer orientation workshop that takes place the second Monday of every month in the evenings. Contact our office to schedule your training or sign up HERE!

URGENT NEED TRUCK UNLOAD: We need help bringing our food into the building and up 1-2 flights of stairs on a monthly basis (for one day only)!  Please review the available slots and sign up HERE. Thank you!

The Guild of St. Margaret Soup Kitchen offers volunteers training in various areas such as Civil Rights Training, CPR and others.  Click here for more information on our training programs.

Cooking in the kitchen

FAQ

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What is the volunteer orientation workshop and why is it required?

The volunteer orientation workshop is required for all volunteers because it explains the rules of the kitchen and goes over food preparation, cleanliness, etc.

The Guild of St. Margaret Soup Kitchen offers volunteers training in various areas such as Civil Rights Training, CPR and others.  Click here for more information on our training programs.

When can I volunteer?

We are the largest soup kitchen in Orange County, New York and serve about 100 meals every weekday afternoon. You can volunteer any day, Monday – Sunday. For lunch (M-Su) volunteers need to be here by 8:00 a.m. and will be finished by 12:30 p.m. On Sundays for lunch volunteers need to be here by 1:00 p.m.

Do I need special skills or training?

No special skills are needed. You only need to bring yourself and a willingness to work.

How Do I sign up?

Anyone interested in volunteering must attend a volunteer orientation workshop that takes place the second Monday of every month in the evenings. Contact our office to schedule your training and sign up to volunteer.

Can I get a group to volunteer?

Absolutely! For more information about groups and group bookings please contact us here.

What will my volunteering day be like?

You will arrive at your scheduled time and report into the kitchen on the second floor of 12 Depot Street, Middletown, NY. Introduce yourself to the head cook and he/she will advise on what needs to be done for the day.  There are various ways of helping in the kitchen. All duties in the kitchen consists of: preparing salad, fruits, cutting bread, preparing beverages, cooking in the kitchen, assisting the cook, washing dishes, prepping the serving stations, cleaning the kitchen and dining hall, etc.

What should I wear?

No earrings should be worn and we recommend for women that fingernails not be polished as nail polish can be chipped and fall into food during prep or serving. Volunteers should wear something comfortable and that they don’t mind getting dirty in. Shoes with a good grip are also important in case of spillages or wet floors. All volunteers are issued with a disposable apron, hat and gloves—if you’d like to wear a cap or hat of your own, that’s fine too.

Can I make a donation to help the soup kitchen?

Absolutely. We are supported by the generosity of individuals and organizations in New York State and beyond. Financial donations are gratefully accepted and you can make a donation here.