- THANKSGIVING DAY -
- CHRISTMAS DAY -
- EASTER SUNDAY -
CALL IN ADVANCE ASAP AS WE FILL VOLUNTEERS SLOTS UP QUICKLY ESPECIALLY FOR THANKSGIVING DAY
(call today as we are usually booked full one year in advance for Thanksgiving Day)
SHIP’s Holiday Meal Program, with the grace of God, has served over 20,000 meals to our holiday guests.
The Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) Holiday Meals Program was created to bring hope and a hot meal to those who need it most the lonely, the poor, the unwanted, the homeless, or the silently needy who through fear or pride are unable to reach out or ask for help they need. The meals are provided at no cost to our guests.
Long before the scheduled holiday, volunteers and staff are activated donating their time and talents to make a big difference in the lives of these very special people. Some gather at our Drop-in-Center or at the United Reformed Church in Somerville to help transport and begin to prepare the donated holiday food items; turkeys, hams, breads and more. Later on that holiday they may personally serve the meals they helped prepare to needy families, individuals.
The average attendance at our Holiday Meals events is usually around 250 with another 150 or more requests for meals packed to go. Anyone in need in the Somerset County Region is welcome to join us.
Every year, the Holiday Meals Program nourishes the spirit for both volunteers, staff and recipients, bringing hope to the hopeless, food to the hungry, joy to the forgotten. It leaves an indelible memory of good service for everyone involved.
Kitchen Help
- Peel potatoes
- mash potatoes
- heat vegetables
- carve meat
- fill orders
- wash dishes
- clean kitchen
- empty trash
- wash floor
Dining Room Help
- Set up decorations
- Set up tables and chairs
- Waitress/waiter (2 per table)
- Explain menu to guests
- Answer guests questions or
- Direct quests questions to staff as needed
- Dessert server
- One person per table to serve beverages
- Two persons to assist with take out
Guest and Volunteer Greeter
- Greet volunteers and those delivering food - direct them to the correct entrance door
- Direct all guest to front door of the church
- Greet guest at front door of the dining hall
- Welcome guest and assist in seating them
- Give guests and volunteers directions to rest room as needed
- Show guests and volunteers where to hang their coat's
- Be sure guests use only the facilities permitted by our host
Before the meal:
- Assist in loading van with supplies at the Drop-in-Center and unloading them at the church
After the meal:
- Break down tables and chairs and put them where they belong
- sweep and mop dining room floor
- assist with loading and unloading van with leftover supplies and return them to our Drop-in-Center.
- Remove all trash from host church and place in dumpster
Other Volunteer Opportunities:
SHIP’s Galley - Anti-Hunger programMobile Soup Kitchen and Disaster UnitHoliday Meals ProgramTic-Tocks Grove (Picnic Area)Street Outreach ServicesSafe Harbor - Office Help/Public RelationsHoliday Meals Program
Holiday Meals Volunteer Information:
- Each Holiday Meal requires 60 volunteers
- Volunteers must register in advance to participate
- Volunteers are scheduled to begin service at 11:00am and be ready to depart by 2:30pm
- The Holiday Meals are served at the United Reformed Church, 100 West Main Street, in Somerville.
Serving the community since 1984
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About SHIP
At SHIP we create programs and services that increase the Somerset County and surrounding regions capacity to respond to the needs of the poor and working poor.
Since March 5, 1984 We have served over 150,000 people.
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