3 Community & Social Services Jobs in Whitby

Meal Service Volunteer

Location: 158 Harwood Ave S, Suite 203, Ajax ON, L1S 2H6

Reports To Meal Service Lead or Supervisor on Shift

Screening Required Vulnerable Sector Screening; valid Food Handler Certification

Position Summary

CFOC – Doors of Compassion provides low-barrier support to individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity across Durham Region. Meal Service Volunteers help ensure every person who comes through our doors receives a warm, dignified meal. This is a frontline role — you are often one of the first friendly faces someone encounters in their day, and how a meal is served can matter as much as the meal itself. We are looking for volunteers who are dependable, work well at a steady pace, and treat every person at our table with the same respect, regardless of their circumstances.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Set-up and preparation

• Sign in; check the day's menu, expected numbers, and patron dietary needs with the supervisor
• Wash hands, wear a clean apron, tie back or cover hair, remove rings, bracelets, and watches
• Set up the serving area; check and log fridge and freezer temperatures
• Review stock and donations for dates, damage, or spoilage; rotate older items first and flag anything questionable
• Wash, peel, and chop produce; assemble sandwiches, wraps, and salads; label and date everything prepared or opened
• Reheat to at least 74°C (165°F) verified with a probe thermometer; hold hot food at 60°C (140°F) or above and cold food at 4°C (40°F) or below
• Use separate boards and utensils for raw and ready-to-eat foods; prepare vegetarian, halal, diabetic-friendly, and texture-modified options kept separate, covered, and labelled

Meal service

• Serve promptly and consistently, with fair and equitable portions for everyone in line
• Greet each patron warmly and offer choice wherever possible
• Answer ingredient and allergen questions accurately — check rather than guess
• Monitor quantities against expected numbers and alert the supervisor early if supplies run low
• Keep the line stocked, tidy, and safe; support take-away or saved plates as directed; apply the seconds policy consistently

Clean-up and close

• Scrape fat, sauces, and residue into the garbage and wipe greasy cookware with paper towel before anything goes near a sink; drain pooled fat from donated meals into lined garbage, never a drain
• Wash and sanitize dishes, equipment, prep surfaces, serving tables, and high-touch areas
• Cool, cover, label, date, and refrigerate leftovers per supervisor direction
• Sweep and mop; remove garbage, compost, and recycling; restock and note low items
• Complete logs, sign out, and report any slow or backing-up drain to the supervisor immediately

Working With Patrons

Our approach is low-barrier, person-centred, trauma-informed, and non-judgemental.

• Serve everyone equally — patrons are never asked to justify their need, and access to a meal is never conditional
• Never comment on a patron's appearance, hygiene, substance use, mental health, or how much they are eating
• Maintain healthy boundaries — no personal contact information, money, rides, or gifts given or accepted
• Protect privacy — what you see or hear stays within the organization, never shared outside your shift or on social media
• If a patron discloses a need beyond food, listen without promising an outcome and connect them with a team member

Requirements

• Valid Food Handler Certification before your first shift; clear Vulnerable Sector Screening; minimum age ______
• Reliable attendance and punctuality, with advance notice when you cannot attend
• A respectful, non-judgemental attitude; good teamwork; discretion and respect for confidentiality
• Willingness to follow supervisor direction, particularly on food safety and kitchen procedures
• Able to stand for extended periods and lift up to approximately 20 lbs; closed-toe, non-slip footwear required
• Wash hands on arrival, between tasks, after handling raw food, after breaks, and after garbage; change gloves between tasks; cover cuts with a waterproof bandage and glove
• Do not attend a shift if unwell — stay home if you have had vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or jaundice in the last 48 hours; report any injury or near miss before leaving

Training, Support, and What You Gain

• Full orientation to CFOC-DOC and site-specific training on the kitchen, equipment, and food safety, with a team member on shift alongside you at all times
• Direct frontline experience in community and social services, practical food handling experience, and a reference on successful completion of your commitment

How to Apply

Contact Jessica Pennington, Volunteer & Student Coordinator, at jessica.p@cfoc.ca or call 365 885 8456.

CFOC – Doors of Compassion is committed to equity and inclusion, and welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, faiths, abilities, and lived experiences. Accommodations are available on request at any stage of the volunteer process.