Opportunities From: United Way of Pierce County

Come Cook with Friends!

Do you and your friends love to cook? Consider recruiting a small group of friends to come cook and serve meals at Nativity House Shelter.

Scheduling is flexible. We realize that volunteers have busy lives and we'll work with you to design a plan that fits busy schedules.

Nativity House Shelter is 167-bed shelter serving adult men and women who are actively experiencing homelessness in Tacoma. The Nativity House Kitchen serves 3-meals a day and needs volunteers who know how to cook for a crowd.

Groups often plan meals like pancakes, casseroles, bulgogi/teriyaki, spaghetti & meatballs, hotdogs and sloppy joes.

Groups are encouraged to use ingredients available in the kitchen to build a menu and/or donate their own ingredients based on whatever they want to cook.

If groups are more comfortable serving instead of cooking, just let us know. We always groups to help serve on the cafeteria line. 

The Nativity House Kitchen provides breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week, 365 days per year so there is always an opportunity to serve.

How to Get Started: If you are interested in starting a meal group, please email meganed@ccsww.org.

Group leaders can register online to join our volunteer team or request that registration materials be mailed to their address.

Have questions? Please call Megan at 253-365-4111.

The Basics:

Group leaders are the only group members who need to be "fully vetted" Catholic Community Services- Volunteer Services volunteers. Group members will be asked to complete an abbreviated version of the paperwork if serving onsite. Those cooking offsite don't need to fill this out. Please note that anyone serving onsite must be at least 18 years old and will need be background checked. Background checks are processed by Catholic Community Services Staff at no cost to volunteers.

Requirements:

Group leader are asked to have or be willing to obtain a WA State Food Worker Card. Catholic Community Services (Volunteer Services) can reimburse group leaders (upon request) if they need to obtain or update their WA State Food Worker Card. Anyone serving onsite MUST be at least 18 years old (onsite projects are not suitable for youth, no exceptions)Volunteers who wish to serve onsite must pass a background check (Washington State Patrol & NSOPW- National Sex Offender Public Website). Volunteers working with food are required to wear gloves which are provided and must follow safe food handling protocols.

Want to learn more about other volunteer opportunities with Catholic Community Services? Click HERE to learn more about the Volunteer Services Program! Opportunities are available in 15 counties across Western Washington.

Nativity House Shelter has two walk-in freezers in need of monthly and/or twice-monthly rotation, clean out and organization. 

This is a great group project for teams of 4-8 people who want to do something that has clear outcomes, requires physical labor and has visible impact. If you want a good workout, this is the project for you!

We are hoping to offer projects on Wednesday or Friday afternoons from 1:30-4 pm, however this can be scheduled as a weekend project if necessary. Times can also be flexed.

The Basic:

Anyone serving onsite MUST be at least 18 years old (No exceptions)Volunteers who wish to serve onsite must pass a background check (Washington State Patrol & NSOPW- National Sex Offender Public Website) which is processed by Catholic Community Services staff at no cost to volunteers.Groups should plan 2-4 weeks out from desired project date to give time for scheduling and paperworkThis project will require lifting (30-40 lbs.) and ability to use stairs  (1-2 steps into the trailer freezer)

For more info, please contact meganed@ccsww.org or call 253-365-4111. This project can be done as a one-time project or as a recurring project depending on what groups want to do.

Looking for a different kind of date night? Volunteering is a great way for couples to spend time together, have fun and connect over shared values.

If you and your honey bunny love to cook and are looking for ways to help the local community- PLEASE join our team! This is a good activity for couples and double dates. Ideal shift size is 2-4 people.

Everything is better when cooked with love.

The Details:

Shift times are flexible. We realize that volunteers have busy lives. You can volunteer as frequently as your schedule permits. 

Meal times are fixed but the shift length depends on what you want to do and how much time you and your spouse or partner have to share.

Breakfast is served at 8:30 amLunch is served at noonDinner is served at 5:30 pm

The Basics:

Volunteers can register online to join our team!Volunteers must pass a Washington State Patrol and NSOPW background check processed at no cost to volunteersWe ask for 3 references/friends who will say nice things about you (anyone not related to you)Once "vetted" you'll be invited to attend a volunteer orientation which can be done in-person or via Teams video-chat.Food worker cards are not required but are always appreciated.Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to help onsite

If you would prefer to complete a hardcopy of the volunteer registration- please contact meganed@ccsww.org or call 253-365-4111 to request that materials be mailed to you with a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

To learn more about other volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Services (a program of Catholic Community Services) visit- https://ccsww.org/services/volunteer-services/

Volunteer Services has volunteer opportunities in 15 counties across Western Washington. All of the services we provide are FREE and made possible by volunteers like YOU.

Nativity House Shelter is looking for groups and/or individuals who would like to pack Personal Care Kits for shelter guests.

Shelter guests have access to shower facilities but don't usually have their own personal hygiene supplies. Personal Care Kits are a great resource for folks who need essential items like shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, deodorant, shaving supplies and dental care products, and who don’t have a ton of space to store supplies.

Volunteers would need to supply their own materials which can be purchased in bulk through hospitality supply companies or through online distributers like Amazon.

Personal Care Kits generally include these types of items:

·         Travel size shampoo and conditioner

·         Travel size soap or bodywash

·         Travel size deodorant

·         Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss

·         Shaving cream and a razor

 Helpful “bonus items” include things like bath poufs or washcloths, nail brushes, plastic combs, hair brushes and nail clippers. Feminine hygiene products like tampons and personal care wipes are always greatly appreciated.

If you would like to make Personal Care Kits or have a group that would like to make kits with you, please contact meganed@ccsww.org or call 253-365-4111. Thank you!

Nativity House Shelter is seeking volunteer groups to make "Keeping It Cool Kits" for the hot summer months ahead. Kits are intended to be distributed at Nativity House Shelter, the Stability Site and the Tahoma Family Center where we encounter community members experiencing homelessness. While Nativity House Shelter is air conditioned, we don't always have enough beds to meet the need and want to distribute supplies to help people stay safe during hot weather.

"Keeping It Cool Kits" are care kits that can be packed with any of these hot weather essentials:

Water bottles or Gatorade/Powerade Travel size sunblockInstant Ice Packs (the kind used for First Aid)Travel size deodorantPaper hand fans or battery powered hand fansSpray bottle misters for cold waterIndividual drink powders (Crystal Lights or electrolyte powder)A nice note or encouraging message

Kits can be packed in Ziploc-style baggies or paper lunch sacks. This is a new project we're piloting so there is no right or wrong way to pack a "Keeping it Cool Kit". It's all about keeping folks safe from heat during the summer. Kindness and creativity go a long way.

Groups that are interested in packing care kits would need to supply their own materials.

Since it's an offsite project, we don't require a lot of volunteer paperwork. We just ask for basic info for the group leader (name, contact info and DOB). We ask that groups log their hours (essentially a sign in sheet) so we can use that data for monthly volunteer reports and grant proposals. This project is suitable for adults and youth groups.

Interested in learning more? Email meganed@ccsww.org or call 253-365-4111 to reach Megan Edwin, Volunteer Coordinator.

Mitten Makers Unite!

Do you love to knit, felt, weave or crochet? There is an opportunity to put your skills to do good use! Help prevent frostbite while doing something you love from the comfort of your own home. Most needed winter items are gloves, mittens and infinity/funnel scarves (easier to store & easier to layer under clothing)

The Basics:

We're going to ask for your name and contact info.We will ask you to log the number of hours that go into your projects for the shelter because volunteer hours positively impacts some of our program funding.Knitters supply their own materials. Unfortunately, this is not a suitable project for court mandated community service volunteers because offsite hours are difficult to verify for the courts.

Have questions? Call Megan at 253-365-4111 or email meganed@ccswww.org

Want to teach shelter residents to knit or crochet or want to start a knitting group? Please complete our full volunteer registration to serve onsite- http://bit.ly/VSregSW

Guests staying at Nativity House Shelter are stressed AND bored. If you are someone who likes to bring the fun- you are welcome!

We are looking for volunteers to play a casual game of chess with shelter guests (we have some pretty good chess players) or if so inclined help plan and facilitate board game nights at the shelter.

The Basics:

Volunteers must be at least 18 years oldVolunteer must pass a background check (processed at no cost to volunteers)Volunteer must attend an orientation (in-person or via Teams)

How to get Started

Please register online to join our volunteer team!

We ask for 3 references/ friends who get to say nice things about you.

Once "vetted", you'll be invited to attend a volunteer orientation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email meganed@ccsww.org or call 253-365-4111.

Do you love to cook, enjoy social interaction and want a volunteer opportunity with a lot of flexibility? Join our Kitchen Crew!

The Nativity House Kitchen (formerly known as the Hospitality Kitchen) serves as the primary "food hub" for CCS programs serving unhoused people in Tacoma.

Needless to say, our kitchen is a busy place.

We’re looking for volunteers with basic kitchen skills, high energy and a desire to help.

Scheduling is flexible but hours align with set meal times. We need volunteers who can help for 1-3 hours.

Our earliest shift time is 7 am and our latest dinner shift ends at 7 pm.

Meal Times

Breakfast is served at 8:30 am Lunch is served at 12 pm Dinner is served at 5:30 pm

Responsibilities

Help prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner for shelter guests Help unload & sort morning food donations (Grocery Rescue) Help pack outbound morning food deliveries  Greet guests as they come through the cafeteria line & help serve meals Restock silverware & supplies needed on the food line Clean & sanitize kitchen surfaces Assist with kitchen cleanup throughout the shift & help tidy up at the end Help run dishes through the industrial dishwasher

Requirements

Kind, friendly & able to work with a diverse group of people Good sense of humor & flexibility to serve where needed Volunteers must be at least 18 years old (not suitable for youth) Volunteers must pass a background check (processed at no cost to volunteers)- If you have questions call 253-365-4111. Volunteers working with food are required to wear food handlers gloves (provided) for food safety purposes Volunteers will need to register and attend a volunteer orientation as part of the onboarding process

How to get started

Please complete the online volunteer registration form or contact meganed@ccsww.org to request a volunteer registration form. Hard copies of registration materials can be mailed to your address. Copies can also be sent via email or fax.

Questions? Call 253-365-4111 to speak with Megan Edwin, Homeless Adult Services Volunteer Coordinator or email meganed@ccsww.org.