[vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1656423841381{padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1629759867365{padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″]
Volunteer to Make a Difference
[vc_text_separator title=”Thank You For Your Generosity, Time, and Caring” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1590701495185{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Volunteers are crucial to all operations of the Open Table food pantry, whether in traditional roles or using special skills to support with administrative functions or special projects.
Open Table food pantry needs your time and talent. Volunteers are vital to our mission of ensuring that no one in our service area goes hungry. We cannot do this without you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12129″][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”]Volunteer Handbook [/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1629759867365{padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″]
New Volunteers
To become an Open Table volunteer, click Volunteer Application below to fill out a volunteer profile. Please review the Volunteer Service Areas below, so that you can be as detailed as possible with regards to your interests, skills, and availability. We will review your application and contact you by email for placement.
[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]
Existing Volunteers
If you are an active Open Table volunteer, please click Self Schedule below to login in and access your CERVIS list of opportunities and self schedule for shifts. If you would like to volunteer in other areas, please review the Volunteer Service Areas below and contact us at volunteer@opentable.org for placement.
[vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]
New Opportunities
There are many opportunities that don’t fit in the standard self-scheduled shifts including administrative positions and “behind the scenes” work. Click Help Wanted below to see positions we are currently filling in addition to service areas in need of volunteers.
[vc_empty_space height=”10px” css=”.vc_custom_1631819791955{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1629759855299{padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”]
COVID Safety Guidelines
In the interest of continuing to successfully deliver our mission of getting healthy food to people in need, Open Table now requires all volunteers and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Masks are optional. Open Table encourages volunteers, staff and clients to make an individual decision about masks. We are encouraging people to make their personal health concerns a priority including staying home if in doubt about their health.
[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1631548699279{padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}” visibility=”hidden” el_id=”helpwanted”][vc_column]
Help Wanted!
[vc_column_text]
- Beharell Operations Manager: Volunteer needed to help oversee operations at Open Table’s Community Donation Collection Center. Responsibilities include working with and training “hosts” for sorting shifts and liaising with the Operations and Community Donations Managers to organize dry goods collection and sorting projects. Approx. 5hrs/week.
- Beharell Donations Sorting Leader/Host: Volunteers needed to lead volunteers sorting donated goods at our community donations center in West Concord. Wednesdays 4:00-6:00pm
- Spanish and Portuguese Speakers: Volunteers needed on distribution shifts to help with our Spanish and Portuguese speaking clients. Tues and/or Thurs. 12:15-2:30, 2:15-4:30, 4:15-6:30.
- Driver for Mill City Grows, Lowell meals delivery: A volunteer needed with SUV to deliver 100 meals to our food relief partner, Mill City Grows in Lowell. Fridays 7:45-9:00am 8/19-10/28.
- Student Shift Leader: Volunteer needed to lead youth on our student pick and pack shift. Wednesdays 4:00-6:00pm
- Maynard COA Grocery Delivery Assistant: A volunteer is needed to ride along in the OT van and assist in delivering boxes of groceries to Maynard COA clients. Tuesdays 12:00-2:00pm.
[/vc_column_text]
[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1631548349165{padding-top: 60px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}” local_scroll_id=”volunteerneeds” el_id=”volunteerneeds”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Volunteer Service Areas – How You Can Help” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1630430364913{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]
Pick & Pack
Sort through our donated produce and shelf stable food and pack them for distribution, fulfill online orders, and other related projects
Shifts are 2 hours:
- Mondays at 9am, 12pm, 2pm
- Tuesdays at 9am
- Wednesdays at 9am, 11am
- Thursdays at 9am, 11am
[vc_empty_space]
Transport Food
Help gather food from local grocery stores, farms, and donation bins and deliver to Open Table. Volunteers must have their own vehicle and be able to lift 20 pounds. Volunteers are also needed to deliver groceries and meals to distribution sites for our mobile pantries and homes for our Concord Home delivery programs.
Shifts:
Days and times vary.
[vc_empty_space]
Student Teams
Pick and Pack shift after school hours specifically for students. Fulfill online orders and help prepare groceries for distribution among fellow students in our pantry. Get your service hours volunteering with friends! There are currently limited openings on the student shift.
Shifts are 1.5 hours:
- Mondays at 4pm
- Wednesdays at 4pm
[vc_empty_space]
Summer Student Internship
2-week summer internship session for high-school students. Learn More
[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]
Distribution
Help distribute food to our clients. The distribution team includes several roles. When volunteering for a shift you may be in the back parking lot taking orders or directing traffic, inside “shopping” the order loading grocery bags and food items in a grocery cart, or out front loading groceries into client’s vehicle.
Shifts are 2.25 hours:
- Tuesdays at 12:15, 2:15 and 4:15
- Thursdays at 12:15 and 2:15
[vc_empty_space]
Dishwashing
Preparing over 800 meals a week in our kitchen results in a lot of dirty dishes. Come into the kitchen for an hour and help wash our dishes at our commercial dishwashing station.
Shifts are 1 hour:
- Mondays at 11am, 4pm
- Tuesdays at 11am, 1pm, 4pm
- Wednesdays at 11pm, 4:00pm
- Thursdays at 11pm, 4:00pm
[vc_empty_space]
Special Events
Help organize and run special events and activities such as the Ride for Food, Crop Walk, Chopped for Charity gala, and more.
[vc_empty_space]
Group Volunteering
Does your company or service organization want to volunteer together as a team? Consider organizing a Food Drive or making Kids bags. Or contact us to discuss other group opportunities.
[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]
Kitchen
Last year our kitchen produced over 26,000 meals packaged to go to feed our community. Under the direction of the Open Table Head Chef, help prepare to-go meals for distribution. Tasks may include prepping ingredients, cooking dishes in our commercial kitchen, and/or portioning and packaging meals.
Cooking shifts:
- M, T, W, Th 9am-11:30am
- M, W, Th 2pm-5pm
[vc_empty_space]
Phone Orders
Take client orders over the phone on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. Volunteers must be 18+, have a smartphone, and a tablet or computer, as phone orders will be updated and tracked on a live spreadsheet. We are looking for both English speaking volunteers, and volunteers who speak Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and/or Spanish.
Shifts are 2 hours:
- Saturdays at 10am
- Mondays at 10am
[vc_empty_space]
On Your Own Time
Use your skills and talents behind the scenes to help prepare flyers and printed materials, fundraise, and more on a schedule that works for you.
[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1622740340365{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_text_separator title=”We’d Love for You to Join Us!” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1590705801162{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
Every week over 180 volunteers work together to run our Pantry, Meals, and Mobile programs. We also have many behind the scenes opportunities – fundraising, event planning, administrative support, transportation and board membership. Please be sure to indicate on your application your availability and interests. It takes a village to run Open Table.
If you are not available when we are open, we encourage you to consider helping us with our special events or projects. Volunteers are often able to help in this capacity with much more flexibility. The skill sets we are always looking for include: grant writing, public relations, marketing, event planning, board development, fundraising, community outreach, and knowledge of multiple languages.
[/vc_column_text]
Questions? Want to Learn More?
Please contact us at volunteer@opentable.org if you have additional questions, problems registering, or just want to learn more about volunteering.
Contact Us
[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1590705672828{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Recent Volunteer News” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1523567740165{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
Want a fun and action-packed volunteer opportunity on your calendar Oct 2? Join the Three Squares New England Ride for Food on the campus of…
Since March of 2020, the Town of Maynard has generously made available the Municipal Parking Lot to facilitate a drive-thru pantry. As we work on…
September is the time to take ACTION to end hunger in our community. Your actions, voice, and commitment will ensure nobody has to make an…
Reminder: The Labor Day Holiday necessitates the following program changes: There will be no online or phone ordering for pickup or delivery the week of September…
[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1582731708849{padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}” el_id=”volunteerParking”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_text_separator title=”Volunteer Parking” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1501607304033{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Our wonderful main facility is located right in the heart of downtown Maynard. Although there is on-street and lot parking directly around the building, we are requesting that volunteers who are spending more than an hour at the facility please park in the River Street Municipal lot (parking fees are waived for Open Table) just a short walk away. This will allow downtown parking to remain available for visitors and patrons of the stores and restaurants in our community. Thank you!
Parking Directions for Volunteers
- From Route 62 westbound (Waltham Street), continue onto Summer Street.
- Take a left on Nason Street
- Take a left on Main Street (Route 62 eastbound).
- Take a right on River Street directly across from Open Table and follow the road as it curves toward the end of the street.
- Look for Open Table sign on telephone pole in front of the parking lot on the left. Permits are waived for Open Table. DO NOT PARK across the street – you WILL BE TOWED.
- The lot is a 3-minute walk from the corner of River and Main to our facility at 33-37 Main Street. Walk to Open Table via River Street for the quickest route.
[/vc_column_text]
[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2948″ css=”.vc_custom_1501705215292{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”8879″ css=”.vc_custom_1584382762508{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1590705690354{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5834″ img_hover=”tilt” css=”.vc_custom_1538661679097{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]
Occasionally our volunteers and staff purchase supplies for Open Table out of pocket. Such approved expenses will be reimbursed. Please submit all required information and receipts.
[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]
Have a communications request or need help with a flyer or marketing piece?
Complete a request form online or contact the communications team at communications@opentable.org
[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1590697612548{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5038″ img_hover=”tilt” css=”.vc_custom_1527528370048{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_text_separator title=”Volunteer Orientations” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1501608671947{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Volunteer orientations are a regular part of the Open Table offerings for volunteers.
Current volunteers are always welcome and prospective volunteers are required to attend before volunteering. Orientation is a valuable way to learn about the different facets of Open Table.
The orientations include a tour of our Fresh Market and kitchen, an overview of the organization and its goals, and a discussion of what we ask of all volunteers.
New volunteers can sign up for an orientation session during registration. We encourage all volunteers to attend an orientation session within 2 weeks of volunteering for the first time.
For more information, contact us at orientation@opentable.org.
Please join us to learn more about this wonderful organization, meet some of our volunteers, and find out about the kinds of volunteer opportunities available. We look forward to seeing you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1622740226149{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10201″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.opentable.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/OT-Handbook-Design.pdf”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_text_separator title=”Volunteering During COVID” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1590703594281{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Yes, we are OPEN and need volunteers!
For the health and safety of all our volunteers, clients, and staff, in-person volunteers during this time of COVID, we ask our volunteers to limit their shifts to one consistent in-house shift per week. Volunteers must wear face masks at all times and wash hands upon arrival at Open Table regardless of vaccine status. Please maintain 6ft separation while volunteering at Open Table and stay home if you are feeling sick.
Based on our needs and your availability, you will be assigned to a team and remain on that team throughout the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. While we greatly appreciate your willingness to volunteer more often. From a public health point of view, it is safer for Open Table’s community (guests, volunteers and staff) for everyone involved to limit exposure to one another. It takes 180 volunteers per week to run Open Table, and if all were exposed to COVID19 on site – we would not be able to run our program.
We encourage our volunteers to schedule themselves for shifts as soon as they know their availability for the month with Volunteer Gopher, our volunteer management database. We also encourage you to remove yourself from the schedule as soon as you know you will not be able to make a shift. If you availability changes, please let us know and we will do our best to put you on another shift.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” center_row=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1590697586696{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_text_separator title=”Volunteering with Groups or Families” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1559754817885{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1559599613767{padding-top: 0px !important;}”]Families and groups of younger volunteers, such as scout troops and school groups, bake breads, create centerpieces, make ”kids bags” and run food drives. Occasionally we have activities, such as organizing pantry donations that can be performed at our facility, but most group activities are performed in the community. If you are interested in one of these activities, please see our Donate Groceries page, or contact us at volunteer@opentable.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_text_separator title=”Other Volunteer Opportunities” title_align=”separator_align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1566615641296{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
- Organize a food drive
- Sponsor a dinner
- Plan events and help fundraise
- Write stories and articles
- Assist with office work
- Bring a group for a special project
[/vc_column][/vc_row]
