Group Volunteers

FCCMP Volunteer Handbook (PDF)

Volunteer Group Leaders

About Our Coordinators

FAQs

Program Sites

Volunteer Registration

Jan's Story

“Having retired from full-time work in 2019, I was searching for a volunteer opportunity where I could serve our local community members in need, work with a group of individuals who were seeking the same, and utilize some of the organizational and leadership skills I gained in my career in an entirely different setting. Serving as a volunteer group leader for FCCMP has been challenging, rewarding, and fun, all at once! Challenging because there are always unexpected surprises creating a menu and preparing food for 100 people, rewarding because of the pride I experience collaborating with FCCMP’s staff and mission, and fun as a result of the sheer joy I’ve felt during the camaraderie of our work and the results of our efforts. I have met people I likely would never have met had I not chosen to do this. Thank you for the opportunity, FCCMP!!” – Jan Gabriel, Volunteer Group Leader.

Lead A Group

Are you part of a local business, organization, or group of dedicated people? Are you looking to engage your group in community-volunteering activities? The Franklin County Community Meals Program is looking for groups of passionate volunteers to create meals for meal sites, pack bonus bags, or dedicate a couple of hours to preparing menu items in bulk. Nothing says “our group is community-engaged” like committing to serving your neighbors.

Now, you may be asking, “What does it mean to volunteer as a group?” That’s a great question! Volunteer groups get involved in a variety of ways- you can take on the task of preparing a meal, or schedule a day of service outside of our regular operations.

Step 1: Choose the best option for your group!

To prepare a meal as a group
A designated contact person (Volunteer Group Leader) of your choosing will be connected with the Site Coordinator of that meal site, who will work with them in planning and executing their menu. The Site Coordinator and other FCCMP staff/members will work with them to support their processes (ie. provide packing materials, and, if necessary, additional volunteers and supplemental food, etc.)

Your chosen Volunteer Group Leader will be responsible for the following:

  • Coordinating volunteers (at least four)
  • Volunteers are responsible for preparation and cooking of the meal and cleaning up afterwards- all with your Site Coordinator’s support
  • Staying in communication with your Site Coordinator
  • Arriving 15 minutes earlier than the rest of the volunteers to meet with your Site Coordinator and discuss the order of operations and timeline for meal preparations that day

To look over the process for a VGL, click here.

To lead bonus bag packing
BBB Flyer

Bonus Bag Brigade Flyer

Our Greenfield community meal site serves many unhoused neighbors. As a supplement to prepared meals, we distribute an average of 85 bonus bags each Wednesday to ensure that our neighbors can eat between community meal offerings. To lead your own bonus bag brigade:

  • Collect items for packing! Ready-to-eat proteins such as tuna or chicken salad kits, jerky, nuts, or protein bars are a great place to start. Then add in fruit leather, 100% juice fruit snacks, or dried fruit. Veggie straws, pea or lentil crisps help balance things out, and a small bottled water, carton of shelf stable milk or 100% fruit juice finishes things off! Some groups opt to add in treats as well!
  • Pack your paper lunch bags. Some groups opt to decorate the bags with drawings or stickers!
  • Load into totes. We provide totes for bulk packing. 20 bags are packed into each tote, and we ask you to label each tote with the date you packed!
  • Drop off totes at Second Congregational Church between 3:45-4:30 on Tuesday or Wednesday.

To learn more, visit fccmp.org/bbb

To engage in a day of service

If your group is only available for a couple of hours outside of our meal or pantry operations, you can contact our volunteer coordinator at [email protected] to learn about ongoing projects we can use team support for! This is a great opportunity for school groups or co-workers or friends who want to bond through community service.

Have any questions about volunteering as a group? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Melanie Highlander, at [email protected] with the subject line “Group Volunteer Inquiry”. We look forward to hearing from you!

(If you’re looking to sign yourself up as an individual, and you’re interested in helping our Site Coordinators accomplish tasks stemming from a large variety of needs, then you might be looking for our individual volunteer opportunities! Take a look at our webpage for that model here.

FAQ for Groups
Q: Who should I contact if I have any questions?

A: It’s great that you have questions, that means that you’re thinking about this work! You can visit our Volunteer page on our website https://www.fccmp.org/volunteer/#getinvolved for information about our programs, or contact [email protected] with any questions!

Q: What are the safety measures like for volunteers working with knives, or lifting heavy things? What happens if I get hurt on the job?

A: It’s always our goal to remain as safe and healthy as possible throughout our work, but we’re all human, and sometimes unfortunate accidents happen! At the start of your shift as a new volunteer, you’ll read through our volunteer handbook and sign a health and safety waiver. While you’re working, you’ll be supervised by your Site Coordinator, who will guide you through the service and work right alongside you! However, as always, please don’t push yourself over your own limits. If you need a break, just let the Site Coordinator know.

For more information about our guidelines for safety and conduct, you can refer to pages 14-16 in our volunteer handbook.

Q: Food service can be intimidating. What’s one piece of information you’d give to new volunteers looking for a sneak peek into how the meal sites work?

A: You’re totally right, food service can be super intimidating, especially when you’re working with a group of people you may have never met before! It can feel challenging to find your place in the work, but I promise, your time is valuable. Here’s something about our meal sites that is important to know as a new volunteer:

  • As an individual volunteer, you’ll be guided through your shift(s) by a Site Coordinator. This person is chosen because they’re passionate about the work, they have the skills to organize the group, and they can help direct and instruct you through the shift! 
    • If you have any questions, feel free to send them all to the Site Coordinator you’ll be working with, or to our Volunteer Coordinator, Melanie Highlander at [email protected]

To learn more about our Site Coordinators, visit our Volunteer page on our website https://www.fccmp.org/volunteer/#getinvolved

Q: How are shifts divided, and how long are they usually?

A: Shift lengths vary from site to site, but typically are 2-3 hours in length. We do our best to mitigate burnout for volunteers and have found that by splitting up longer shifts amongst multiple volunteers, we’re able to support your process and allow you to be more focused and present! If you have any questions about specific meal site shift breakdowns, email [email protected] and we can provide you more information!

Step 2: Get in Touch

Step 3: Onboarding

Once we hear from you, Melanie Highlander, our Program Coordinator, will follow up with you, help you pick a date, begin planning your service activity and connect you with a Site Coordinator (if applicable). Once you’re connected and set up, your Site Coordinator will be your main point of contact. (See each site description for name and contact info of your site coordinator, or visit our “About Our Coordinators” section).

If you do a tiny url link- you’re all set! We look forward to meeting you!

For any other questions, look through our “Frequently Asked Questions” document linked here [insert pdf on the here], or contact Melanie Highlander at [email protected]

Sites

Each site is different! For more information, please reach out to your Site Coordinators, or reach our Volunteer Coordinator, Melanie Highlander, at [email protected].

Turners Falls Meal Site:

amy-connellyThe Turner’s Falls Site Coordinator is Amy Connelly. Volunteer Group Leaders should meet her 15 minutes before the other volunteers arrive (at 12:45pm) on their day of service. We aim to have meals ready by 4:30 pm. This site serves an average of 120 meals, and upwards of 150!

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] with the subject line “TF Group Volunteer Inquiry”. We look forward to meeting you!
Greenfield Meal Site:

Lynn ParkerThe Greenfield Kitchen Site Coordinators is Lynn Parker. Volunteer Group Leaders should meet her 15 minutes before the other volunteers arrive (at 12:45pm) on their day of service. We aim to have meals ready by 4:30 pm in time for deliveries. This site serves an average of 100 meals, and up to 150 meals on the fourth week of the month!

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] with the subject line “GF Group Volunteer Inquiry”. We look forward to meeting you!
Northfield Meal Site:

Lisa DewittThe Northfield Site Coordinator is Lisa DeWitt. Volunteer Group Leaders should meet her 15 minutes before the other volunteers arrive (at 12:45pm) on their day of service. We aim to have meals ready by 5pm. This site serves an average of 85 meals!

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] with the subject line “OMS Group Volunteer Inquiry”. We look forward to meeting you!
Orange Meal Site:

laurie-macdonaldThe Orange Meal Site Coordinator is Laurie MacDonald. Volunteer Group Leaders should meet her 15 minutes before the other volunteers arrive (at 12:15pm) on their day of service. We aim to have meals ready by 4:30 pm in time for deliveries. This site serves an average of 65 meals!

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] with the subject line “OMS Group Volunteer Inquiry”. We look forward to meeting you!

Volunteer Registration

Volunteer With Us!