Volunteer
Every day, dedicated volunteers lend their time, energy, and compassion to support the people in our community made vulnerable by systemic inequities. Whether you have a few hours to spare every week or just once in a while — on your own or with your family, coworkers, or friends — there’s a meaningful way for you to make a difference. From early mornings to midday to after work, we’ll help match you with a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule and interests.
Frequently asked questions
Food Security Hub Kitchen
Help nourish your community and make a direct impact on Maine’s mission to end hunger by volunteering at the Food Security Hub Kitchen! Join a dedicated team of community members in preparing meals for local shelters, outreach teams, and other partner programs.
We welcome volunteers ages 13 and up (with an accompanying adult) or 15 and up (to volunteer independently). You’ll be involved in a variety of hands-on kitchen tasks, including washing, peeling, and chopping produce from local farms, preparing sandwiches and casseroles, portioning meals into eco-friendly containers, and assisting with general cleanup tasks.
Morning shifts run daily from 7:00–10:30 AM, and afternoon shifts are offered from 12:30–3:30 PM on weekdays and 11:30 AM–2:30 PM on weekends. In addition to meal preparation, we also offer separate dishwashing shifts. Volunteering in the kitchen is an active and hands-on experience, so volunteers should be prepared to be on their feet and moving throughout the duration of their shift.
Food Security Hub Pantry
Play a vital role in supporting food access in our community by volunteering at the Preble Street Food Pantry. This essential program helps ensure that Mainers facing hunger have reliable access to fresh food and groceries. As part of the pantry team, you’ll take part in a range of hands-on tasks, including assembling food boxes for individuals and families, sorting and organizing donated goods, and stocking shelves.
Shifts are available Tuesday through Friday, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
This is an active and physical role that involves lifting and carrying items up to 30 pounds.
Homeless Services Center
The City of Portland’s Homeless Services Center is a vital resource offering temporary shelter and support services to adults facing homelessness. In collaboration with the City of Portland, Preble Street provides nourishing meals that bring dignity and comfort to community members in need.
We invite volunteers ages 16 and up (with an accompanying adult) or 18 and up (to volunteer independently) to join us in creating a welcoming and caring space by helping set up, serve lunch and dinner, and cleanup. Lunch shifts are available daily from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and dinner shifts are daily from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
Florence House Women’s Shelter
Florence House provides safety and compassionate, low-barrier support services 24/7, 365 days a year to women experiencing homelessness. While volunteering at Florence House, you play a vital role in creating a caring environment by serving nutritious meals to the women staying there.
Meals served at Florence House are prepared at the Food Security Hub in South Portland and delivered to the shelter, where volunteers assist with setting up the serving station, serving meals, and cleaning up afterward. Breakfast shifts are available daily from 7:45 AM to 10:00 AM, and dinner shifts run Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Deliveries to Shelters and Partner Organizations
Help bring meals to community members in need by volunteering to deliver food from the Food Security Hub to shelters and partner organizations throughout Portland. As a delivery volunteer, you play a key role in ensuring that nourishing meals reach unhoused Mainers staying at Elena’s Way, Florence House Women’s Shelter, Recuperative Care, the YMCA, and others. Volunteers use their own vehicles and shifts are available Monday through Friday.
All new volunteers are required to attend an orientation before signing up for any shifts. These orientations provide an introduction to Preble Street’s history and current programs, and the many ways you can make a difference through volunteering. We’ll explore the full range of volunteer opportunities with plenty of time to ask questions along the way. We also cover important volunteer expectations to ensure everyone feels comfortable and informed before getting started.
We offer both in-person and online sessions:
- In-Person (includes a tour of the Preble Street Food Security Hub):
- Every Tuesday at 10:00 AM
- Every Thursday at 5:00 PM
- Online (for people unable to attend in person):
- 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 4:30 PM
When you create a new account in VolunteerHub, you will be prompted to register for an upcoming orientation. After completing orientation, your profile will be updated, and you will gain access to view and sign up for volunteer shifts.
Want to preview the orientation materials? You can review them ahead of time here.
Register here!
For more information, you can contact our Volunteer Program Manager at volunteer@preblestreet.org or 207-775-0026 x 1162.
Most of our volunteer opportunities take place in busy commercial kitchens or shelter spaces and aren’t suitable for younger children. In the kitchen, children must be at least 13 years old to volunteer when accompanied and supervised by an adult, while people 15 and older can volunteer independently.
To volunteer at the Homeless Services Center and Florence House, volunteers need to be at least 16 with an accompanying adult or 18 to volunteer on their own.
However, we warmly encourage families and schools with younger children to get involved in other meaningful ways! You might consider:
- Organizing a drive to collect items for Maine Needs, where Preble Street caseworkers access items for our clients.
- Community clean-ups are another great way to contribute together.
- You could also help create decorations or cards for holiday parties or special events at our programs throughout the year.
- Fundraising is another fun option — whether it’s a contest to save the most nickels, a lemonade stand, or any creative idea you come up with to raise money. With a little imagination, there are plenty of ways for people of all ages to make a difference in our community!
Our regular volunteer shifts can accommodate groups of up to seven people, making it easy to bring friends, family, or colleagues together to make a positive impact in the community. If you’re interested in registering a group or want to learn more about special group volunteer opportunities, please reach out to our Volunteer Program Manager at volunteer@preblestreet.org or 207-775-0026 ext. 1162.
At Preble Street, volunteers are essential in creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone. During your orientation, we’ll go over all expectations in detail, but here are the key things to know:
- Be kind and respectful to all clients, staff, and fellow volunteers. Use inclusive language and follow staff directions at all times.
- Maintain healthy boundaries — do not give rides, money, or personal contact information to clients, and always respect their privacy and personal space.
- Dress appropriately: wear closed-toe, non-slip shoes and full shirts and pants (no tank tops or cropped tops). Long hair must be tied back in kitchen areas.
- Follow all safety and hygiene rules, arrive on time, and let staff know if you’re running late or need to cancel.
Your cooperation helps us provide compassionate, dignified support to those we serve. Click here for the full list of volunteer expectations.
For a full list of volunteer expectations, click here.
Volunteers can cancel upcoming shifts on VolunteerHub at any time. For cancellations within a 24-hour window, please also notify the Preble Street Volunteer Program Manager at volunteer@preblestreet.org or call 207-775-0026 x 1162.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER
Click here to sign-up for a shift with one of our programs!
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
All new volunteers are required to attend an orientation.
In-Person: (includes a tour of the Preble Street Food Security Hub):
- Every Tuesday at 10:00AM
- Every Thursday at 5:00PM
Online: (for people unable to attend in person):
- 2nd and 4th Mondays
of each month at 4:30PM
For more information contact the Preble Street Volunteer Manager at volunteer@preblestreet.org or 207-775-0026 x 1162.
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