Question 1

How long does it take on average to deliver meals?

Accepted Answer

Volunteers arrive to pick up meals to be delivered around 9:30am each day. Each delivery route takes between 1-2 hours to complete.

Question 2

How often does the average person volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Most volunteers come in one day a week, every week. For example, a delivery team may come in every Tuesday to run the same delivery route.

Question 3

Can I help prepare meals?

Accepted Answer

Sorry, we don't actually prepare our own meals - they're prepared by a local catering company and delivered to us fresh each weekday morning to be delivered in the community.

Question 4

What is a "COD" and what do they do?

Accepted Answer

A COD is short for Chairperson-of-the-Day, a sort of combination office manager and volunteer supervisor. They can work alone or in teams of two. Their hours are usually 7:30am-12:00pm and their duties include labeling meals, answering the phone, and light administrative work. There are different CODs each weekday.

Question 5

What is the Friendly Caller Program?

Accepted Answer

The Friendly Caller Program was created near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to maintain social (and socially distanced) connections between clients and volunteers through friendly weekly phone calls. Being a Friendly Caller can be a good option for prospective volunteers who would like to help but can't do so during our normal operating hours.

Question 6

I'd like to volunteer but can't do so regularly. Can I still help out?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We're always looking for substitutes who can fill in as needed.

Question 7

I'm a high school student who needs SSL hours. Can I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

We can provide service hours, but we are not a pre-approved Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) SSL organization. Students will need to work with their school coordinators to pre-approve service with us. Due to liability issues, students under 18 years of age who are interested in delivering meals are required to be paired with another 18+ volunteer (or a friend or family member, if available.)

Question 8

Do you perform any sort of background check on new volunteers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we perform a criminal background check on every volunteer applicant.

Question 9

I'm unavailable during your normal operating hours (Mon-Fri, 7:30am-12:00pm) but would like to help. Is there anything I can do?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. We have a number of volunteer positions with a managerial or financial focus and the occasional special project which can be pursued outside of normal operating hours. Friendly Callers also have a great deal of flexibility with their volunteer time.

Volunteer

Volunteering FAQ