Ceres Adult Volunteer Opportunities in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Novato
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Garden
Through our gardens, we empower people of all ages to learn about growing, preparing and understanding the important role that local organic food production plays in the health of the community. Along with our youth volunteers, you will help our gardens grow…
Ingredients regularly used in our meals, like lots of kale and parsley!
Storable crops, such as potatoes, onions, beets, winter squash, cabbage, or garlic.
Other produce that give youth volunteers a broad experience of growing diverse vegetables.
Requirements:
Be able to stand, squat or do labor intensive activities, like using a wheelbarrow or shovel for long periods of time.
What to wear
Comfortable clothes for the weather.
Closed-toed shoes.
A hat or head covering for sun protection.
We strongly recommend bringing a personal water bottle.
Shift Times & Locations
Sebastopol Garden:
Wed
10am - 12pm
Petaluma Garden
(NEW location at Live Oak Farm Petaluma!):
Tues
10am - 12:30pm
Meal Prep & Production
There is no professional culinary experience required to join a meal prep team. Everything we make is designed to be accessible to the home cook. With other volunteers and staff, you will help prepare nutritious, organic food for current clients.
Requirements
Be able to do repetitive wrist motions (chopping/cutting) and stand for prolonged durations.
Complete an online Basic Food Safety certificate (paid for by Ceres) before your first shift. This consists of a video with a short quiz afterwards.
You will need to be able to stand for up to 2 hours.
What to wear
Clean shirt with sleeves. (Short or long sleeves is okay. No tank tops please.)
Closed-toed shoes.
Clean pants.
Head covering, such as a baseball cap, hairnet, or bandanna, etc.
Shift Times & Locations
Sebastopol Kitchen:
Mon - Thurs
8:30am - 11am
11:30am - 2pm
Fri
10:30am - 1:30pm
Novato Kitchen:
Mon - Weds
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Thurs
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Meal Packaging
The final touch before being bagged and delivered, the packaging volunteers portion and package our prepared meals following precise measurements to ensure our Medically Tailored Meals are safe for our clients. This is a chance to make our meals what we strive for: nutritious and delicious!
Be able to do repetitive wrist motions (scooping) and stand for prolonged durations.
Complete an online Basic Food Safety certificate (paid for by Ceres) before your first shift.
Requirements
Be able to do repetitive wrist motions (chopping/cutting) and stand for prolonged durations.
Complete an online Basic Food Safety certificate (paid for by Ceres) before your first shift. This consists of a video with a short quiz afterwards.
You will need to be able to stand for up to 2 hours.
What to wear
Clean shirt with sleeves. (Short or long sleeves is okay. No tank tops please.)
Closed-toed shoes.
Clean pants.
Head covering, such as a baseball cap, hairnet, or bandanna, etc.
Shift Times & Locations
Sebastopol Kitchen:
Mon
11:30am - 2pm
Tues / Thurs
8:30am - 11:00pm
Weds
12pm - 2:30pm
Delivery Angel
Delivery Angels are a crucial role at Ceres. They deliver meals to our clients in Sonoma or Marin county. This is one of the only roles where volunteers directly interface with clients! It is an opportunity to show clients that their community cares for them. When signing up, you will be able to choose where you prefer to deliver. Delivery will never take longer than 2 hours total, sometimes less depending on client load and location.
Requirements
Be able to carry multiple 10lbs bags to a client’s door, possibly up a flight of stairs. Volunteers should expect to deliver to 3 - 6 clients, each with 1 - 3 bags, every delivery shift.
Masks are required when approaching a client’s home.
This role requires a valid driver’s license and up to date insurance.
Delivery Angels must be at least 18 years old. If you are not 18 yet, you may help deliver meals with a parent or guardian.
Shift Times & Locations
Novato Kitchen:
Wed
10:30am - 12:30pm
Thurs
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Sebastopol Kitchen:
Wed
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Fri
9:30am - 11:30am
Bagging shifts are perfect for those who are detail-oriented! These shifts are where our prepared and packaged meals are sorted into our clients’ bags ahead of deliveries.
Our clients have various dietary restrictions and needs, so volunteers will follow client instruction letters and organize each client’s bags with the correct meals.
Requirements
You will need to be able to stand for up to 2 hours to bag items.
Bagging
Shift Times & Locations
Novato Kitchen:
Wednesday
9:30am - 11:30am
Sebastopol Kitchen:
Tues
1pm - 2:30pm
Wed
10:00am - 11:30pm
Thurs
1pm - 2:30pm
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Friday
11:00am - 1:30pm
Adult Mentor
If you love working with youth and have skills in culinary or gardening, this role is for you! Mentors help create an inclusive, engaging and empowering experience for our Teen Chefs and Gardeners. You will work alongside our youth on shifts afterschool with support from our staff. Adult Mentors help teens learn skills not just in the kitchen and garden but in leadership, teamwork, and confidence.
Shift Times & Locations
We need Adult Mentors at all sites. Shift options are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the late afternoon (most shifts are 3:00pm to 6:30pm).
Requirements:
Be fingerprinted (paid for by Ceres)
Take Mandated Reporter Training as required by the State of California
Physically able to lift, stand for several hours, and do repetitive motions such as chopping, dishes, or in the garden, weeding and prepping beds
A love of empowering youth to be their best selves
Ready to build friendships, make a difference and gain skills?
We can’t wait to meet you! Typically within 48 hours of submitting your application, a Volunteer Coordinator will call you about the on-boarding process. You’ll attend a brief online orientation, complete a background check (online and paid for by Ceres) and any other items, depending on what role you choose. You’ll receive training on your first shift. See you soon!
Learn More
If you want to know more before applying, you can still attend an orientation. This is a free, short online event! You can get to know staff, ask questions, see what’s new and learn the history of the organization.
You can also view our FAQs and read testimonials about us on greatnonprofits.org.