25 Days Of Holiday Volunteering — Day 9: Soup Kitchen Greeters

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — 'Tis the season for giving back to your community. There are a number of ways that you and your family can help others through the holidays.

Every day through Christmas, Patch will be highlighting a way you can provide compassion and resources to those in need.

Volunteer New York! makes it easy to find ways to help — through donations, supporting nonprofits and even volunteering from home.

Today’s opportunity is for Lifting Up Westchester Community Kitchen Greeters.

Lifting Up Westchester is seeking Community Kitchen Greeters to help greet and check-in guests of Grace's Kitchen on a weekly basis. Volunteers must be comfortable working with a laptop, using a scanning machine and collecting data, and welcoming guests warmly. Volunteers must also be able to stand during their shift (3.5 hours).

This role cannot accommodate groups or individuals requiring community service hours.
Guest Relations Greeter responsibilities:

• Welcome and greet guests
• Enter data on a laptop
• Register new guests and distribute attendance cards
• Invite guests to a table or offer them a to-go box
• Record all meals per guest (breakfast, dine-in, seconds dine-in, to-go box)
• Set up donated items table and invite guests to take what they need
• Answer questions (or call a staff member of Lifting Up Westchester to assist)
• Shut down computer and give to the assigned Lifting Up Westchester staff member at the end of each shift

Time commitment and requirements:

• Be 21+
• Serve minimum of 1 consistent day per week (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
• Serve minimum of 6-month commitment
• Complete a background check
• Complete an in-person interview and additional paperwork
• Be able to stand for entire shift
• Be able to maneuver between tables and chairs while carrying trays
• Be able to lift approximately 20 pounds on occasion
• Be able to begin shift promptly, volunteers should allow 15 minutes to park, pay the meter ($1.25 per hour at the municipal lot across the street), and walk to the kitchen

Lifting Up Westchester restores hope to Westchester County's men, women, and children in need by providing them with food, shelter, and support—and lifting them to greater self-sufficiency with dignity and respect.

Sign up here.

Check out all the volunteer opportunities around the Hudson Valley by visiting the Holiday Volunteering web page.

@volunteerNYnow.