THANK YOU so much!

So many people have stepped forward with offers to help in recent weeks. It is heart-warming to see the Hamilton community come together!

Our immediate focus is on food bank access. However, to meet physical distancing guidelines and minimize risk to participants, clients, volunteers and staff, we have suspended volunteer activities until further notice. In the meantime, a skeleton staff is on hand to deliver the vital food bank service.

We want you to know how much we appreciate your offer to help – it keeps us energized and feeling connected and grateful to our community! THANK YOU so much!

If you’d like to volunteer with us in the future, review the information below and check back for confirmed orientation dates after May 25, 2020.

Our Philosophy for Volunteer Involvement

Volunteers reflect the diversity of our community, and are the heart of Neighbour to Neighbour Centre – an integral part of our past and vital to our future. Volunteers uphold our mission, share our vision, and embrace our values. We are committed to supporting volunteers with the resources necessary to implement our programs, and draw on volunteers’ experience and skills to achieve our common goals. This partnership enriches the services we provide and strengthens our community.

Volunteer!

For over 30 years, our dedicated volunteers have been helping to meet the issue of food insecurity head-on in our community. We are neighbours helping neighbours.

Why not join us?

Important information:

Volunteer opportunities open up frequently.

To be eligible to volunteer with us, prospective volunteers attend an in-person orientation, where the following is covered:

N2N’s four areas of programming & volunteer opportunities
The realities of living with low-income
Required abilities and knowledge for volunteer positions

When you attend an orientation, you place your name on a call-back list, and will be notified as volunteer opportunities become available.

Upcoming orientation sessions in April and May are cancelled until further notice

Here are the dates, times, and locations of all upcoming orientations. Choose the one that works best with your schedule. We look forward to seeing you!

There is no need to RSVP.

Note: November orientation sessions are the last opportunity to sign up to volunteer in our seasonal December programs!

28 Athens St., 2nd Floor L9C 3K9 (Main site)

Use the entrance that faces Athens St.

Wednesday, April 15, 1-2:45 p.m. (cancelled – please check back for future dates)

Note: Orientations are not held in December due to increased seasonal programs.

In 2021:

Dates will be listed as they are confirmed. Stay tuned!

310 Limeridge Rd W, unit 10, L9C 2V2 (Community Food Programs site)

The entrance faces Kendale Crt.

Wednesday, May 20, 1:30-3:15 p.m. (postponed until further notice)
Wednesday, July 8, 1:30-3:15 p.m.

Note: Orientations are not held in December due to increased seasonal programs

In 2021:

Dates will be listed as they are confirmed. Stay tuned!

Check back regularly for future dates!

Click on the program areas below to read about volunteer opportunities.

Community Food Programs

Meal Preparation volunteers assist with many different tasks in our Community Kitchen and support Program Coordinators in preparing foods for various programs at the Centre, including Community Meals.
Commitment: 3.5 hour shift weekly. Shift times and availability will vary according to program schedule and demand. Must be 16 years or older.

Meal Service volunteers assist with serving food to guests during Community Meal programs. They welcome and seat guests, and provide exemplary table service throughout the meal in a comfortable and dignified environment.
Commitment: 3.5 hour shift weekly. Shift times and availability will vary according to program schedule and demand. Must be 16 years or older.

After School Program volunteers help to deliver fun, engaging and informative programming to school-age youth. They enjoy working with young people and help to keep focus during cooking and gardening activities.
Commitment: 4 hour shift weekly. Must be 16 years or older.

Produce Market receivers are responsible for receiving shipments of fresh produce and sorting produce for various community programs. They ensure all produce ordered has been delivered in good condition, and clearly label and sort items for various community programs including community meals, food skills programs and markets. Commitment: one ½ day shift per week. Must be 16 years or older.

Market volunteers help run a fresh fruit and vegetable market for the community. They set up and/or take down market equipment, arrange and present produce in an appealing way, label foods according to price list, and conduct a closing inventory. Customer service skills and friendly personality are assets. Priority will be given to Rolston Neighbourhood community members.
Commitment: 4-hour shift per week. Must be 16 years or older.

Homemade Cafe volunteers help our customers at the community market stand and serve them in our cafe. It’s a fun, fast-paced shift! Gain useful customer service experience!

Drop-In Program volunteers welcome guests to our Drop In Meals. They provide guidance for new and returning guests seeking more information about programs. Drop In Program volunteers provide leadership and direction.
Commitment: 3.5 hour shift weekly. Must be 16 years or older.

Special Event assist staff before, during and after Special Events. Special Events could include community gatherings, film screenings, forums, town hall meetings, holiday celebrations, etc.
Commitment: Special Event volunteers are periodically required. Must be 16 years or older.

Garden volunteers help with general maintenance of community gardens and patio space. General duties include seeding, planting, watering and weeding and assist staff with garden programming. Must be comfortable doing physical work and being outside. Gardening experience is a requirement.
Commitment: 3.5 hour shift weekly. Must be 16 years or older.

Fundraising

Bingo: volunteers are customer-service oriented and friendly, working as a team to sell bingo cards to patrons; count and balance cash, coin and cards; operate Toonie Pot software at Princess Bingo. Commitment: 4-hr shift once monthly. Must be more than 18 years old.

Used Book Store Clerks: maintain a high level of customer service in the Used Book Store. The store is a social enterprise, housed in the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre and open to the public, that generates revenue for our programming.
Commitment: a 3.5-hour shift weekly. Must be more than 16 years old.

Golf Tournament: volunteers oversee the ‘Closest to the Box’ contest at the annual golf tournament fundraiser. Commitment: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on the Thursday of the tournament (Thursday, August 13, 2020)

Emergency Food Services

Driver Assistant:volunteers help our driver deliver groceries and pick up donations of food. Ability to lift up to 35-50 lbs.
Commitment: 3.5 hour shift weekly on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon. Must be more than 16 years old.

Warehouse: volunteers work as a team in the spirit of the Centre receiving, sorting and stocking shelves to ensure the timely delivery of food products to the Centre’s food bank clients. Ability to lift 30-50 lbs is an asset.
Commitment: 3.5-hour shift weekly. Must be more than 16 years old.

Food Bank: volunteers ensure that each shopper understands the point system for food items and is treated with dignity and respect.
Commitment: 3.5-hour shift weekly. Must be more than 16 years old.

Educational Programs

Educational Consultants are volunteers who are professional educators and have experience in elementary, special education, adult education, or early childhood education. Educational Consultants ensure that the elements taught in the tutoring program align with the current curriculum. They are accountable for delivering and facilitating a diverse range of learning to the volunteer tutors. We are currently seeking Educational Consultants for our literacy and numeracy programs.

Commitment: September to June, 2-8 hours per month.
For details please contact Deban at 905-574-1334 ext. 204
tutor@n2ncentre.com or apply online www.n2ncentre.com

N2N Jack Parent Reading Program

Reading Tutors volunteer once a week for 2 to 3 hours to improve the reading skills of students in Grade 1-4 at selected schools during the school day.

Commitment: 2-3 hours weekly from October-May, 4 hours required in September and June.

Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

N2N Math Success Program:

Math Tutors, are volunteers who work with students in Grade 7 and 8 after school, October-December and February-May, on Mondays and Tuesdays, 3:45-5:00 p.m.

Commitment: A weekly commitment of 1-2 hours. Program is approximately 25 weeks in length, so 25-50 hours. Training will be provided prior to and during the program.

Community Involvement hours will be credited for youth volunteers.

Must be a minimum of 14 years of age. Parental consent required for anyone 14-17 years of age.

Family Services Program

Community Counsellors: provide information and access to community resources, help to identify options as well as validate the client’s experiences. Counsellors provide assistance with a variety of issues related to poverty, employment, family violence, health concerns and legal problems.
Commitment: 3-hour shift weekly. Must have post-secondary education or work experience.

Speakers

Ambassadors: network with the business community to raise Neighbour to Neighbour Centre’s profile

Speakers’ Bureau: make presentations to interested churches, schools and groups on Neighbour to Neighbour Centre’s programs and services. Commitment: 1 hour per month as needed. Must be more than 16 years old.

December Programs - volunteer roles are open to individuals who have attended an orientation

If you can make a weekly commitment of 3.5 hrs (mid-November and December), submit an application form and attend an orientation.

Special Events in Community Food Programs: Volunteers work with staff to provide support at the Winter Solstice Dinner, at Community Kitchen workshops and Child/Youth-focused events. Exact dates and times tbd.

Toy Room: volunteers sort new donated children’s toys by suitability to age.
Commitment: flexible, depending on your availability.

Christmas Toy Store: volunteers set up the store, float between the store and Neighbour to Neighbour to maintain tables stocked with toys; assist shoppers with carry-out; and ensure each shopper is treated with dignity and respect. Commitment: One or two 4-hour shifts from December 18-21, 2019. Must be more than 16 years old.

Christmas Warehouse (November and December only): volunteers work as a team in the spirit of Neighbour to Neighbour, receiving and sorting food donations to ensure the timely stocking of food products on our shelves. Commitment: 3.5-hour shift weekly. Must be more than 16 years old.

Christmas Food Bank (November and December only): volunteers ensure that each shopper understands the point system for food items and is treated with dignity and respect. Commitment: 3.5-hour shift weekly. Must be more than 16 years old.