Volunteer
Bring hope to our guests—one meal, one conversation, one act of kindness at a time.
At MCREST, volunteers are the heartbeat of our hospitality. If you’re looking for a hands-on way to make a meaningful difference in the lives of men, women, and children experiencing homelessness, our kitchen is the perfect place to serve. No special skills required—just a willingness to help, a warm spirit, and the desire to give back.
What Volunteers Do
As a kitchen volunteer, you’ll help our team create a welcoming, dignified mealtime experience for our guests. Tasks include:
Kitchen Help
As a kitchen volunteer, you’ll help our team create a welcoming, dignified mealtime experience for our guests. Tasks include:
🥕 Light Food Preparation
Assist our Kitchen Coordinator, Jay, in prepping ingredients—washing vegetables, portioning items, organizing supplies, and helping set up the dinner service.
🧼 Simple Kitchen Clean-Up
Wipe down surfaces, rinse pans, help load the dishwasher, and keep the kitchen running smoothly after meal prep.
🍽️ Serving Dinner & Engaging With Guests
Help serve meals in the dinner line, greet guests with warmth, and offer the supportive, human connection that makes MCREST feel like a safe and caring community.
📅 Shift Time
Dinner shifts run from 3:00–7:30 PM.
Can’t stay the full four and a half hours? No problem. We’re flexible—contact us and we’ll find a shift length that works for you. We would love to have you with us, even for part of the evening.
Guest Support Services
With our shelter building's expansion to serve male guests, this position has been created to provide additional staff support.
🚪 Entry Support & Bag Searches
Help welcome guests as they arrive at the Men's Shelter, assist with bag searches at entry, and support MCREST staff in keeping the shelter safe, structured, and running smoothly during the evening hours.
🧴 Guest Supply Assistance
Help retrieve toiletries and other essential supplies for guests as needed — making sure everyone in our care has what they need to feel comfortable and cared for.
🤝 Spending Time With Guests
Sit down, have a conversation, and simply be present. Sometimes the most powerful thing a volunteer can do is let someone know they're not invisible. This is the heart of the Guest Support Services role.
📅 Shift Time
Evening shifts run from 5:00–9:00 PM.
Can't stay the full four hours? No problem. We're flexible — contact us and we'll find a shift length that works for you. We would love to have you with us, even for part of the evening.
Before You Can Volunteer
Read on for what is required before your first shift.
🔎 Background Check Required
For the safety of our guests, a quick background check is required before beginning your first shift. It’s fast, simple, and completed entirely online.
📋 Easy Online Scheduling
Once you’re approved, you’ll receive a link to our volunteer sign-up sheet where you can select as many shifts as you’d like—whether that’s once a month or once a week.