Become an Adult Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in being a TKP Volunteer!

All adult volunteers who interact with our clients or teens will be required to submit information for a criminal background check before they may participate in our program.

There are many ways that adults can volunteer Teen Kitchen Project

  • Delivery Angel (deliver meals)
  • Kitchen Mentor (supporting meal prep in the kitchen)
  • Packaging prep (apply stickers to packaging at our location in Aptos)
  • Handy person
  • Garden support
  • Data entry assistant
  • Events assistant
  • Donor recognition

 

Delivery Angels

We always need Delivery Angels. If you are interested, please see the JOB DESCRIPTION on our Delivery Angel Resources page and apply below or email Sophie@nullteenkitchenproject.org.

This is one of the most essential volunteer positions at Teen Kitchen Project,  because the Delivery Angels are responsible for making sure that the meals our teens prepare are delivered promptly and with love to our clients. 

Responsibilities

  • Being prompt and responsive to emails and calls from our staff. 
  • Keeping confidential all information about Teen Kitchen clients. 
  • Reflecting the Teen Kitchen culture of love, respect, and nurturing to our clients and  families. 
  • Being dependable in your commitment, including being on time on delivery days. 
  • Being flexible, having a good sense of humor and an inclination to persevere. 
  • Providing a copy of your driver’s license and proof of insurance. 
  • Willing to use Onfleet, a mobile delivery app on your phone, for deliveries. 
  • Communicating clearly with TKP staff with issues or questions regarding the deliveries. 

An overview of what this job entails: 

Delivery hours are 1-3pm Monday through Thursday.

Before delivery day: 

  • The Delivery Angel signs up for delivery shifts on a spreadsheet using the link  provided. 
  • You will receive your delivery information in the Onfleet app by 6 p.m. on the Saturday before the week before you will deliver. If you signed up, please assume you will deliver unless we notify you otherwise. 

On delivery day:  

Meals Pick-up: A staff member or volunteer will be there to greet you and distribute the meal bags. Please go to the front door of the Research Park Drive location or to the TKP van at the Watsonville location. 

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays you will pick up your meals at the Soquel kitchen: 2880 Research Park Drive, Suite 200, in Soquel 

  • It is the 3rd driveway on the left after you turn off of Soquel Drive
  • We share the space with Ohlsen Foods. Please wait outside kitchen for TKP staff to help you.
  • Please arrive between 12:30-12:45pm

On Tuesdays you will pick up your meals at:

WATSONVILLE: 95 Alta Vista Avenue in Watsonville between 12:30- 12:45pm. This is the Lutheran Community Church.

 

 

Kitchen Mentor

Located at our Soquel kitchen, 2880 Research Park Drive, Suite 200.

Weekly volunteer times are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 3-6pm OR 6-8pm. A regular commitment is ideal, but please let us know if you are available for short-term volunteering.

Responsibilities

  • Assist kitchen team in creating weekly menus for upwards of 250 clients served throughout Santa Cruz County.
  • Assist with kitchen operations including: kitchen set-up, cleaning throughout shift, prepping, cooking, assembling, and packaging meals, and kitchen clean up at the end of the shift.
  • Participate in a culture of youth ownership and leadership
  • Ensure that all meals leaving the kitchen are beautiful, delicious, nutritious, and adhere to nutritional and portioning guidelines.
  • Help ensure compliance with all health and safety procedures.

An overview of what this job entails:

Support our kitchen staff and teens to prepare hundreds of meals to be delivered to your neighbors experiencing critical and chronic illness in Santa Cruz County. You will be washing, chopping, cooking vegetables and meats (3 out of 4 of our main dishes are vegetarian), using a variety of cooking techniques, package meals, wash dishes and (of course), cleaning.

Qualifications:

  • ServeSafe Food Handler
  • Cooking skills
  • Leadership skills and a capacity for mentorship
  • Ability to stay calm and keep your sense of humor in a fast-paced environment
  • Has a good awareness of self
  • Ability and desire to be in a work environment that values working as a team, relationships and giving and receiving honest feedback
  • Reflecting the Teen Kitchen culture of love, respect, and nurturing to our teens.

 

Thank you! Your contribution of time and energy and love are an essential part of the Teen Kitchen Project experience for our clients. Thank you for helping provide healing meals to people in need.

To apply for the Delivery Angel or Kitchen Mentor positions, click on a button below. For all other positions, please email sophie@nullteenkitchenproject.org and let us know what position you are interested in.