Volunteer
Volunteers are the epicenter of our operations, and are fundamental to meeting our mission of alleviating hunger throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin. They provide a foundation on which we are able to build and expand our programs in order to meet the needs of our neighbors. At FCCMP, we approach our work through the belief that we are all “neighbors feeding neighbors” here to foster community and build connections. Volunteers play an essential part by stepping up as neighbors and making an impact in their community!
Join our community! Currently, our organization is feeding people in four towns across Franklin county at various times and places each week. Volunteer responsibilities range from donating time and skill at various meal sites to organizing food drives/donations, delivering meals or groceries, and more. You can choose to be an individual volunteer and work alongside other like-minded people in your area, or you can be a part of a volunteer group, which can be anything ranging from a business, to a church, to a group of dedicated friends!
If you care about treating your neighbors with dignity, meeting other passionate and driven people, and helping feed your neighbors, consider volunteering with our team!
Do you or your group want to cook with us? Email [email protected] with the subject lines “Individual Kitchen Inquiry” or “Group Kitchen Inquiry” for more information. To learn more about the fine details of volunteering, and to see our meal site schedule, browse our website!
Volunteer Expectations
Per the FCCMP Volunteer Handbook, our volunteers are expected to:
- Follow our values in all of your interactions; bringing dignity to each person and help break down barriers to accessing food.
- Follow the policies and procedures for the program site as directed/outlined by the Site Coordinator
- Refrain from hateful or derogatory language, inappropriate conduct, and discussion of politics, violence, or religion.
- Communicate openly with our staff about physical limitations, and constantly ask questions and seek clarity
- Foster a supportive environment- be willing to help, guide, answer
In return, our volunteers can expect:
- That we will always be here to support your process. You can talk with any of our staff members about challenges you are facing when working with us.
- That we will be responsive to your feedback. All of our staff want you, our operations, and the neighbors we are serving to succeed. We welcome suggestions and constructive criticism! It’s how we grow!
- That we will provide structure and routine for your role- your shift times will remain the same (to the best of our ability), you’ll know what to expect for tasks, and you’ll work alongside other supportive volunteers and staff members.
For more information, read over our Volunteer Handbook
About Our Coordinators
After you’re onboarded, your Site Coordinator is your main point of contact. Each site is run by a different coordinator; to learn more about who you’ll be working with, click through the buttons below!
“I support all of our Site Coordinators in their operations and onboard new volunteers.As the Program Coordinator, I work closely with the Executive Director and Site Coordinators to build infrastructure and to create and implement new program models. I create a lot of paperwork, marketing materials, and oversee our social media content. I also do public outreach; meeting with local youth facilitators, speaking with local congregations, workplaces, schools…. Wherever I am invited to inform others about the work we are doing and how they can engage with us.When it comes specifically to volunteer coordinating, I recruit, follow up and do my best to find the right fit for the volunteer. I provide information helpful to their shift- where to go when they arrive, who they’ll be working with, what they’ll be doing, etc. I’m also who to contact if issues arise- an emergency comes up and you need to miss a shift or can no longer volunteer with us, you need support in communicating your needs or boundaries with someone else within our agency- whatever you may need to feel supported and accommodated, I’ll meet with our Executive Director and Site Coordinators to see it through.”
“I like to list different options for volunteers to interact with us and find what’s the best fit for them.I’m really open to feedback and that’s how I can figure out what is working and what needs tweaking. I’ve found that breaking up shifts during longer operations instead of asking volunteers to join us for several hours is beneficial. I also ask about limits- how far are you willing to travel, do you have physical limitations or a learning disability that may make engaging with us challenging for you; how can we overcome that? What do you need in order to return to us? Flexibility for your arrival time? A stool at the kitchen counter? Extra hands when unloading a delivery? And when I get answers, I implement those changes ASAP!
Fun fact: Melanie has an ever-growing collection of Hello-Kitty merchandise!
Have any questions for Melanie? Contact her via text message (413-325-6631) or email her at [email protected]! “My work phone is on Monday through Friday from 10 am until at least 3 pm, so while I may be busy with meetings or site operations, I’m always available for support.”
Laurie MacDonald, Orange Meal Site Coordinator
Laurie has been working with FCCMP since 2016!
We asked Laurie a few questions about her work at the Orange meal site:
Could you provide some basic information about how you run your site?
Laurie spoke a bit about how the Orange site runs, stating “the meals at the Orange meal site are prepared ahead of Thursday’s distribution.”
Could you explain how you support/show up for your volunteers?
Laurie says, “I am at the meal site before any volunteers are there, and support them by packing up food or washing pots and pans, or anything else they may need.”
If there was one thing you wanted your volunteers to know about you, your meal site, or feeding your community in general, what would it be?
Laurie is direct about her values: “I am committed to clear communication first, then second I am committed to getting the meals prepared and out to the patrons.”
Fun fact: Laurie directs a youth concert band with her husband! If you love music AND feeding your neighbors, this is the meal site for you!
Have any questions for Laurie? Contact her via text message! 603-566-6644
Lisa DeWitt, Northfield Meal Site Coordinator
Lisa has been working with FCCMP for a year now!
We asked Lisa a few questions about her work at the Northfield meal site:
Could you provide some basic information about how you run your site?
Lisa provided insight about how the Northfield site operates: “I coordinate volunteer groups for cooking and serving dine-in and to-go meals once a month. I also cook parts of the meal or the whole meal depending on the group serving that particular month.”
How do you show up for your volunteers?
Lisa explained the various procedures she utilizes to be as transparent as possible with her volunteers: “I procure a lot of the food, and I supply the containers and packaging for the meals. I explain what is required from the volunteers for that particular meal and I help and coordinate during the event, and then the clean-up after as well.”
If there was one thing you wanted your volunteers to know about you, your meal site, or feeding your community in general, what would it be?
Lisa said, “I am committed to bringing healthy and delicious food to people in my community.”
Fun fact: Lisa loves to collect seashells on the beach! Bond with her about your hobbies the next time that you work at the Northfield meal site!
Have any questions for Lisa? Contact her via text message or email! [email protected] or 334-663-6541
Amy Connelly, Turners Falls Meal Site Coordinator
Amy is a founding member of FCCMP, and has been with the organization for 39 years!
We asked Amy a few questions about her work at the Turners Falls meal site:
Could you provide some basic information about how you run your site?
Amy gave an inside look at how all of the different pieces of her site work together; “Food is provided by volunteer serving groups or cooked on site by myself and volunteers. For the past three years, I have had a consistent team of volunteers – 5-6 in the kitchen doing prep work and packing containers, 4-5 serving containers and extra food outside.”
Could you explain how you support/show up for your volunteers?
Amy spoke about how at her site, communication is really important! “I am always on site when volunteers are, especially meal night and food bank delivery. We usually gather after each meal to plan the next week. We call and text each other. Unique to my site is that most of my volunteers are from the OLOP church and have keys and permission from Father Stan to be in the church when they need to without permission. I require they let me know when they are or have been at the church doing something for the meals.”
If there was one thing you wanted your volunteers to know about you, your meal site, or feeding your community in general, what would it be?
Amy was clear about her values; “I am and have always been passionate in caring and protecting the dignity of everyone who comes to our site. Kindness is required.”
Fun fact: I will break out in song and dance at any time.
Have any questions for Amy? Contact her via phone call or text message! 413-531-6668
Hey! I’m Melanie, the Volunteer Coordinator at the Franklin County Community Meals Program. I’m in charge of answering any questions you may have regarding volunteering and connecting you to volunteer opportunities. If you want to chat, please email me at [email protected] and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. I look forward to checking in with you!