Opportunities From: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network

WHY DONATE? Community Kitchen is Celebrating 40 years of service, providing meals to anyone in need since 1983. About 60% of our meals go to support at-risk youth.

WHO WILL BENEFIT? These wish list items are all things that will help directly or indirectly our staff and volunteers efficiently serve and support those struggling in our community. We take great pride in providing a safe, clean, and dignified place for the community.  Some donations are equipment to assist our staff and volunteers in preparing around 500 meals a day.

DONATION INSTRUCTIONS: Food and financial donations can be dropped off at Community Kitchen’s main location (1515 S Rogers St), Monday – Friday from 7am-6pm, Saturday from 11am-6pm.

CONTACT: Tim Clougher, (812) 332-0999 or assistantdirector@monroecommunitykitchen.com

 OUR IN-KIND DONATION WISH LIST: Canned fruit Canned vegetables

 

Additionally, our Backpack Buddies program provides assistance to help children and their families with their weekend food needs. Backpacks are distributed once a week, and our ongoing Backpack Buddies food needs are listed below.

Backpack Buddies Food list:

Canned or pouch tuna, chicken or ham Peanut butter Meal helpers (like Hamburger/Chicken/Tuna helpers) Fruit cups – applesauce, mixed fruit, pears, peaches, etc. Instant Oatmeal – individual portions Macaroni & Cheese Boxes of breakfast cereal Easy to prepare food items – instant mashed potatoes, dried soups, beans, rice or pasta meals, etc. Granola/fruit/cereal bars Dried fruit – raisins, cranberries, cherries, etc. Small bread mixes – cornbread, muffin, biscuit, etc.  Keep the Community Kitchen in mind during the holiday season. 

 Thanksgiving Wishes:

45-50 turkeys 200 boxes of stuffing mix 500 cans of green beans 300 cans of cream of mushroom soup 250 cans of cranberry sauce 400 cans of tropical fruit or fruit cocktail 90 pies and 15 sugar-free pies 50 dozen rolls 40 large cans of French fried onions  

Christmas Meal Wish List:

boneless hams canned sweet potatoes canned tropical fruit canned green beans canned mandarins canned pineapple rolls pies apple cider

 

 

Volunteers make this kitchen run!

COVID UPDATE:

Masks are voluntary at Community Kitchen. We will continue to monitor local Health Department guidelines and mandates, making changes to our policy as needed.

 You can help prepare and serve free meals six days a week for in-house and carry-out patrons. No previous experience is needed just a willingness to help. There are two volunteer shifts daily Monday through Saturday.

MEAL PREP SHIFT 11:30am-1:30pm (8 volunteers)
The prep shift from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. puts together the cold carry-out meals that we distribute at each location. They also put together lunches for after school programs and help with some food prep (making salads, chopping produce) for the evening meal served at each location. Some cleaning and washing dishes may be included. 

MEAL SERVING SHIFT 3:30-6:30pm (7 volunteers)
This shift from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday consists mainly of serving the evening meal 'cafeteria style' and doing some clean-up (sweeping mopping taking out trash) afterward. 

MINIMUM AGE: Those age 14 and older may volunteer without an adult. Youth 10-13 may volunteer if accompanied by an adult.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A SHIFT:

Contact June Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator, DIRECTLY by email (june@monroecommunitykitchen.com) or phone (812-332-0999) to ask about shift availability and scheduling.

For all shift requests:

PLEASE PROVIDE A PHONE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN BE CONTACTED Let us know your date, time, and group size preferences. Have your schedule ready to review scheduling options.

Important: We have wonderful volunteers and therefore some shifts fill fast. You will need to register well in advance if you have a specific date preference, hours need, or volunteer group to accommodate. We will do our best to schedule you according to your needs and ours. Thank you!