Volunteer

Current COVID-19 Guidelines:

We ask that all volunteers stay home if you are feeling unwell in any way. If you are feeling well, all staff members, volunteers, and guests must wear a mask before entering the facility. Current guidance from the CDC recommends mask wearing for all individuals indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in areas where transmission is high. Therefore, everyone is required to wear a mask at the Kids’ Meals facility, even if vaccinated. Upon arrival, all staff, volunteers, or visitors must take their temperature. When volunteers are assigned to areas, we will try to social distance when possible and do our best to distance volunteer groups from other volunteer groups.

If you have further questions about COVID-19 guidelines for volunteers, email our Volunteer Manager.

It takes hundreds of volunteers each week to prepare and pack thousands of meals. Volunteer shifts at Kids’ Meals are Monday-Friday 9am-12pm and 12:30pm-2:30pm. Kids ages 8 and above are welcome to volunteer! All children under 18 must be supervised by an adult at all times.

What Will I Do When I Volunteer at Kids’ Meals?

KITCHEN HELP

Volunteers 12 and older may be assigned to work in the kitchen. While in the kitchen, you will help prepare sandwiches or snacks for our free, healthy meals that get delivered to thousands of hungry children. We crank up the music and have a great time while we work. All kitchen workers are required to wear gloves and a hair covering. We supply gloves and hair nets. You may also bring a hat from home, or purchase a Kids’ Meals hat for $25.

PACKING ROOM

Volunteers 8 and older may be assigned to work in the packing. This is where the entire meal comes together. Each lunch contains a protein, snack, fruit, and drink. In the packing room, all of these items are assembled into brown lunch bags (usually decorated) and loaded into our delivery bags to go out to thousands of children across Houston.

FOOD PREP AREAS

We have three different food prep areas that volunteers 8 and older may be assigned to. In these food prep areas you might be asked to help receive and sort food donations, pack grocery bags, do quality checks on DIY lunch bags, and more.

MISCELLANEOUS

You never know what jobs may need to get done around here. You may be asked to help put together STEM materials, decorate bags, help unload a delivery, or more. We ask that you come with an open mind, ready to do whatever needs to be done make sure the thousands of kids on our routes get fed.

Are There Opportunities For Me To See The Kids?

VOLUNTEER DRIVER

Volunteers 21 and older can sign up to be a volunteer driver. As a volunteer driver, you will take your personal vehicle on one of our routes and hand out meals to our families. Volunteer delivery drivers must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. Additionally, they must pass a background check. There is a $25 fee associated with the background check, paid for by the volunteer. To become a volunteer driver, select the “driver” option when you sign up here.