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Volunteers make a difference every day through their smiles and more. In order to provide the best experience for those we serve, we need dependable and caring people. The quality of our program and ability to expand our service to the community depends on your reliability. Some of the most valuable benefits are intrinsic, such as:
Volunteer placement and route assignments are based on your availability, interest and ability to meet the requirements. While our goal is to meet the needs of our mission, we strive to ensure that each volunteer’s time is well-utilized and that you enjoy your time of service. We hope you honor your commitment and consider your volunteer assignment just as important as a paid position.
Listed below are our expectations:
All volunteer drivers must be at least 16 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, an automobile, proof of auto insurance and agree to a background check. Those under 16 may volunteer by riding along with a guardian, parent or friend, or by helping in the office.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering to help our senior and homebound neighbors. To begin volunteering with Meals On Wheels of Sarasota, please fill out a Volunteer Application by clicking the link above and attend a Volunteer Orientation.
Volunteer Orientations are one-on-one meetings with our Volunteer Coordinator. Please make sure you have filled out a Volunteer Application before RSVP’ing for a Volunteer Orientation date. The Volunteer Coordinator will share helpful hints about meal delivery. You will also have the option to schedule a future ride-along with a veteran volunteer if desired. Kitchen, desk and other options for volunteer services will be explained.
Meals On Wheels of Sarasota offers several group opportunities, especially around the holidays.
Yes! Secure a route and day of the week that works best for your schedule today! Get started by filling out a Volunteer Application.
Yes, there are several opportunities to assist in the kitchen.
Yes, we are in need of office volunteers to support both long-term and one-time projects in the office. Please complete a Volunteer Application and indicate your volunteer preferences in the comments section.
Meals On Wheels of Sarasota volunteers deliver special goody bags at Halloween, Thanksgiving and on Christmas morning. A Holiday Gift Drive occurs in November and December, where the community comes together to collect items.
It’s easy! Please fill out a Volunteer Application and indicate your preference for volunteering.
Our first priority during a storm is both your safety and the safety of our recipients. If you are delivering during bad weather and encounter a situation where the weather and/or the potential flooding creates danger, please do not deliver the meal. We simply ask that you call the office to let us know, and then we will contact the recipient. You may give away the meal to the next recipient on the route.
Meals On Wheels of Sarasota may cancel delivery if the weather is hazardous and/or there is flooding. Scheduled volunteers will receive an email, call or text if their route is cancelled and staff will call to notify recipients and volunteers if service is cancelled for that day. Local radio and TV stations may also announce the closing for Meals On Wheels of Sarasota. Be safe, use your best judgement and please communicate anything unusual on any given day with our office. Together, we will do our best to make sure our volunteers and homebound clients are safe all year long.
Note that the Meals On Wheels of Sarasota phone system is computer-based and
should continue to function during emergency situations.
Yes, volunteers may deliver with children or family.
There is no minimum time commitment to volunteer.
There are no evening opportunities available except for special fundraising events.
Yes, weekend volunteer opportunities are available on Saturdays.
We cannot guarantee that we can fulfill your volunteer hours requirement. However, if you reach us with plenty of notice, we will do our best to find you a meaningful volunteer experience. If your skills and experience are a good match for us, we will try to make sure your volunteer experience can be applied to your service requirements.
Please call Meals On Wheels of Sarasota and speak directly to the Volunteer Coordinator to set up an appointment to discuss court ordered community service. Fill out a Volunteer Application if you need hours for court ordered community service.
We have volunteer opportunities for office support that don’t require a car. Please fill out a Volunteer Application.
Meals On Wheels of Sarasota is a local, independent organization that serves Greater Sarasota. We don’t offer volunteer opportunities outside of our service boundaries. There are 5,000 Meals On Wheels agencies across the country. Please check mealsonwheelsamerica.org and contact your local agency for opportunities in your community.