To maintain an optimal level of service to the community, these volunteer roles require a consistent once weekly commitment. Some are front facing, while others are behind-the-scenes. Only roles and shifts marked AVAILABLE are open and we are accepting new volunteers to them. All other roles are currently full, but check back frequently as they will open up. 

Front-facing, service delivery roles:

AVAILABLE in January   Community Meal Prep & Dish Specialists assist with many different tasks in our Community Kitchen, including:  safely preparing foods for various programs at the Centre, cleaning and sanitizing dishes, equipment and surfaces, weighing and sorting produce and other raw foodstuffs, and maintaining safety standards at all times.  Volunteers may also help to answer and direct guests’ inquiries during their shift, and will provide support to programming, as required. 

There is a strong emphasis on sanitation, and we want to work with volunteers that are focused on a level of safety that is above and beyond personal home kitchens. Must be at least 16 yrs. old and available during business hours. Commitment: ongoing for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:

• Thursdays, 10 AM – 1PM, or
• Thursdays, 1 – 4 PM, or
• Fridays, 10 AM – 1 PM

AVAILABLE in January   Dining Service & Greeter volunteers are responsible for assisting with many different tasks in our Community Kitchen, including:  welcoming guests, engaging in friendly conversation, providing information to those requesting assistance, safely serving foods, cleaning and sanitizing, and maintaining safety standards.  Volunteers will help to answer and direct guests’ inquiries during their shift, and will provide support to programming, as required. 

There is a strong emphasis on sanitation, and we want to work with volunteers that are focused on a level of safety that is above and beyond personal home kitchens. Must be at least 14 yrs. old. Commitment: ongoing for at least 3-4 months, once weekly:

• Thursdays, 4 – 7 PM, or
• Fridays, 10 AM – 1 PM, or
• Fridays, 11:30 AM – 2 PM

AVAILABLE in January   Navigator volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to manage the flow of shoppers in the outdoor and indoor waiting spaces of the food bank. Navigators help food bank shoppers, and participants of the utilities and financial counselling programs, with wayfinding through the line-up, intake and service process. Outstanding people skills (self-aware, customer service-oriented, accommodating, efficient), and on your feet for a 3.5 hr. shift are required. Must have training in de-escalation and regulation skills to navigate potentially tense situations. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:

• Mondays, 9 AM – 12:45 PM, or
• Mondays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM, or
• Tuesdays, 9 AM – 12:45 PM, or
• Tuesdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM, or
• Wednesdays, 9 AM – 12:45 PM, or
• Wedensdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM, or
• Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:430 PM

AVAILABLE in January   Affordable Produce Market & Café volunteers help run a fresh fruit and vegetable market for the community. They set up and/or take down market equipment, arrange and present produce in an appealing way, label foods according to price list, serve customers and conduct a closing inventory. They also prepare and distribute food to community members that visit the market/cafe. Customer service skills and friendly personality are assets. Must be comfortable with basic math. Ideal for 15-19 year olds and newcomers of any age. Commitment: ongoing for at least 3-4 months, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. 

AVAILABLE in January   Food Bank Support: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values, and in a manner that is dignified and respectful, to provide fresh and frozen food options to servers. Food Bank Support volunteers also fill in as Servers when 3 are needed. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift are required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:

• Mondays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM
• Tuesdays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM
• Wednesdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM
• Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 PM

AVAILABLE in January   Food Bank Servers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values, and in a manner that is dignified and respectful, to provide food boxes and options to shoppers. The ability to lift 30-40 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift are required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on: 

• Mondays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM (Server or Free Table positions), or
• Mondays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM (Server), or
• Tuesdays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM (Server or Free Table positions), or
• Tuesdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM (Server or Free Table positions), or
• Wednesdays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM (Server or Free Table positions), or
• Wednesdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM (Server or Free Table positions), or
• Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 PM (Serve, or
• Thursdays, 3:45 – 7:45 PM (Server or Free Table positions)

Behind-the-Scenes support roles:

AVAILABLE in January   Freezer-filling and Sorter volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to support the food bank service by maintaining a rotated stock of frozen donations in the food bank and sorting non-perishble food items. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:

• Fridays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM

AVAILABLE in January   Runner volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to support the food bank service by receiving, sorting, packing and storing food donations, while also maintaining a safe work area. They also ensure the timely delivery of food products to the food bank. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift is required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:

• Mondays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM
• Tuesdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM (in January and February)
• Wednesdays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM
• Fridays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM
• Fridays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM

AVAILABLE in January   Receiver volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to direct just-arrived food donations to appropriate locations to ensure the timely delivery of products to shoppers and home delivery clients while also maintaining a safe work area. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift is required.  Must be more than 16 years old.Commitment:on-going for at least 3-4 months,once weekly on:

• Mondays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM
• Tuesdays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM 
• Wednesdays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM

AVAILABLE in January  Box-packer volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to support the food bank by making 2 types of boxes (Families 1-3, Families 4-6) for pick-up during food bank appointments. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.25-hour shift is required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:

• Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 PM (tbc)

Working with young people:

AVAILABLE in January  Reading Tutors: provide one-to-one reading support for students in Grades 1 to 4 at selected schools during the school day. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Commitment: up to 2.5 – 3 hours weekly October – May, and 4 hours total required in both September and June.

 AVAILABLE  Math Tutors provide math support for students in Grades 5 to 8 after school (3:45-5:00 pm). Must be a minimum of 14 years of age (parental consent required). Community Involvement hours will be credited for youth volunteers. Commitment: 1 or 2 shifts weekly from October – June, and 2 hours training required in September.

Public speaking:

AVAILABLE year round  Speakers’ Bureau volunteers: will represent N2N at speaking engagements at schools, faith groups and other organizations, or at community events. Training, talking points and resources will be provided. Must have volunteer or participant experience with N2N programs. Commitment: Approx. 1 hour  per month as needed.