Volunteer Resources and FAQ

Volunteering at Nourishing Hope

We continue to need the help of volunteers to help us pack groceries, sort food, and other important tasks at all of our locations in response to the ongoing heightened need in the community. Our volunteer orientation videos are available below in English and in Spanish.

Please fill out this form to become a Nourishing Hope volunteer

Por favor, complete este registro para ser un voluntario con Nourishing Hope

Navigating Your Personal Site

Learn more about how to navigate your personal volunteer site with our video.

Video Tours

Headquarters Tour

Explore our new headquarters, located at 1716 W. Hubbard, with our virtual tour!

Learn More about Headquarters

Sheridan Market Tour

Explore our Sheridan Market, located at 3945 N. Sheridan Rd, with our virtual tour!

Learn More about the Sheridan Market

The Hub Tour

Tour our warehouse, The Hub, located at 5151 N. Ravenswood Ave!

Learn More about the Hub

El Mercadito Tour

Explore El Mercadito, a partnership between Nourishing Hope and La Casa Norte, located at 3533 W. North Ave, with our virtual tour!

Learn More about El Mercadito

Monthly Volunteer Bulletins

Every month, we send a volunteer bulletin with the latest news, announcements, shifts we need help with and fun volunteer stories from all of our locations! Fill out the form to sign up. Want to know what you’re getting? Check out a few of our past bulletins linked below!



 

Virtual Volunteer Orientation

Thank you for joining our volunteer community! Please review this video orientation to learn more volunteering with Nourishing Hope.

La orientación para voluntarios virtual (en español)

¡Gracias por hacer un voluntario con Nourishing Hope! Por favor, mire este video de orientación aprender más sobre hacer un voluntario con Nourishing Hope.

Youth Volunteer Orientation

We’re thrilled that you and your family are interested in volunteering at Nourishing Hope! Please review this video orientation to learn more about registering all family members as volunteers.

Learn more about youth volunteer opportunities

Spanish 101 Class for Volunteers

Please enjoy Spanish 101 for volunteers. This recorded Zoom class includes commonly used phrases and greetings in Spanish. ¡Gracias!

Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Training

This virtual nonviolent crisis intervention volunteer training will equip Nourishing Hope volunteers with the necessary skills to de-escalate difficult situations and help you learn proven techniques for communicating effectively.

We encourage all volunteers to watch this video. This training is especially helpful for those who are in client-facing volunteer roles.

Click here to review the slide deck

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to schedule in advance or can I just show up to volunteer?

All volunteering must be scheduled in advance.

Can students and children volunteer?

We have a few different opportunities for children (under the age of 18) to volunteer at Nourishing Hope. Please click here to view specific details for each age group. We do schedule students for community service hours. Student groups may be scheduled on a case-by-case basis depending on availability and need. Please fill out our Youth Volunteer Form or contact [email protected] to get scheduled.

Can large groups volunteer?

We would be happy to host your organization at Nourishing Hope. We have group volunteer opportunities Monday through Saturday for small to large size groups. Please email volunteers@nourishinghopechi.org and our volunteer team will follow up with you.

What should we wear?

All volunteers should wear clothing that is comfortable and can potentially get messy. We also require all volunteers to wear closed-toed shoes for safety and to refrain from any offensive writing on shirts, hats, etc. Also, all volunteers are welcome to a free Nourishing Hope t-shirt, so please feel free to ask a staff member about them.

Do we need to bring anything?

Volunteers are not required to bring any materials with them, but we do provide lockers to secure any personal belongings. Also, if volunteers would like to bring a snack, there is a refrigerator at each location.

Is there parking available?

Only street parking is available at of our sites but all are easily accessible via public transportation.

I have mandated community service hours. Can I fulfill them at Nourishing Hope?

Nourishing Hope welcomes volunteers that need to perform volunteer service hours for church, school, or court. Nourishing Hope’s Community Service Policy will be addressed at every new volunteer training session. You should also come prepared at this initial training with any paperwork requiring a signature or date. We cannot guarantee availability for community service hours. Please be sure to track your own hours and the Manager of Volunteers will provide a verification once completed. Minors seeking mandated service hours are welcome to participate, with parent or guardian supervision. For volunteers seeking court-ordered service hours, please note that we do not schedule volunteers that have committed a violent crime, harassment, or theft of any kind. Before your first day, we will need documentation of your charge to put on file. Each case is subject to the discretion of the Manager of Volunteers as to whether you will be scheduled. We encourage all volunteers to continue their service to Nourishing Hope beyond their mandated hours. We appreciate your service in any capacity as we fulfill the mission of providing emergency food relief and other services to the Lakeview community. Please click here if you are interested in fulfilling your community service hours with us.

I’m a client. Can I volunteer, too?

If you are a client, please know that we do not expect anything in return – but you are more than welcome to volunteer if you’d like. We ask that you do not schedule a volunteer shift at the same time you come for services.

I’m a volunteer and need food or services, what should I do?

If you need food assistance, anyone who meets our criteria is more than welcome – but please come during a time that you’re not on a volunteer shift. If you’d rather go to another agency for help, just ask staff for a confidential referral, or contact the Greater Chicago Food Depository at 773.247.3663 or click here.

Nourishing Hope Exists Because of the Support of Our Neighbors.

Providing the equivalent of 4.5 million meals each year, plus thousands of mental wellness and social services that empower healthy lives, Nourishing Hope strives to create a city where all people have the resources needed for a dignified life. Join us today!

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