Volunteer Your Time

Volunteer

As a community non-profit, Citizens Inn relies on the generosity of others to sustain its mission.  This support comes in the form of financial and in-kind donations as well as the immeasurably valuable gift of time given by our dedicated volunteers.  Haven from Hunger, located at 71 Wallis Street in Peabody, MA, relies on many volunteers to keep programs running at full capacity. Some of these volunteers come through our community partners, such as local businesses, schools, organizations, and houses of worship, but many are simply individuals who feel a call to serve others.

We have opportunities for all: from one-time corporate team building events to volunteer shifts for people seeking to serve on a weekly or sporadic basis, to community service hour opportunities. We have volunteers of all ages (children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult) and abilities. Below is a snapshot of our different programs, including hours and tasks. We look forward to seeing you soon.

The Pantry Program

The Pantry Program at Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger sees 100-150 unique households a day from Peabody, Salem, and Lynnfield. We operate Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 10:30 AM-2:30 PM, as well as Thursdays from 12:30 PM- 2:30 PM and 6 PM- 8 PM. We need volunteers to help load and unload the trucks and Thursday and Friday (must be able to lift 40 pounds). There are some open spots from 8 AM-4 PM, to assist with checking in clients, truck unloading, stocking shelves, and sorting food and non-food items. To sign-up, visit timecounts.app/haven and select the date and time. The pantry is not accepting groups at this time. 

The Community Meals Program

The Community Meals Program, in our newly renovated second-floor space, prepares 80-100 hot sit-down and/or to-go meals each day. We operate Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with meal service from 4 PM-5:30 PM. Volunteers are needed to assist in preparing, serving, and packaging meals, dining room host, and clean-up from 1 PM-7 PM. Individuals or Groups of 2-8 can be accommodated in blocks of time. If you are looking to sign-up for individuals, sign-up at timecounts.app/haven. If you are looking to inquire for a group, provide the date and number of people to the email volunteer@citizensinn.org. 

The Resource Center

The Resource Center is an emerging space for Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger and will offer many community referral resources with assistance from staff, community partners, local clergy, and trained volunteers.  Drop-in coffee and snacks, community-building, and conversation will always be welcome from 10 AM-4 PM when the Pantry and Meals programs are in service. 

If you are interested in volunteering go to timecounts.app/haven. You will be prompted to fill out basic info and answer questions. Once complete, you’ll gain access to our over 200 opportunities to volunteer. We kindly ask every individual to sign-up, so our numbers are accurate. Only sign-up for the open slots. If you have a group interested in volunteering, reach out to our email at volunteer@citizensinn.org. 

 

 

If you have additional questions you can reach out to Grace at volunteer@citizensinn.org 

 

Please note that Haven from Hunger Pantry and the Resource Center closes for all Federal Holidays, or if Peabody Schools cancels due to weather conditions. Community Meals do remain open, but often have a later start on those days.

 

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Helpful information for the first shift:
  • Volunteers will be working at the Haven from Hunger building, located at 71 Wallis Street in Peabody, approximately two blocks from the post office.                                                                                  
  • Parking is in short supply – please park by the cemetery or on Elm Street. Please do not park in the Luso Credit Union bank parking lot, or our parking lot, as we need that space for to load items into volunteer vehicles. You may be towed if you park in the Luso lot.                                                              

  • If you have signed-up to volunteer in the Pantry you will enter the first floor of the building on the right via the ramp on the outside bypassing the clients. After signing in on the “Volunteer Log”, please ask for Dany, Pantry Director, to receive your assigned task. Be sure to let them know how long you will be assisting for the day and any limitations you may have.                                                                             

  • If you have signed-up to volunteer for the Community Meals you will enter the second floor of the building via the front stairs. After signing in on the “Volunteer Log”, please report to Brianne, Program Director, or Mandy, Kitchen Supervisor, to receive your assigned task. Be sure to let them know how long you are joining us for the day and any limitations, or allergies you may have.                                       

  • Dress: Close toe, and rubber sole shoes are best when working around food and our many boxes that we move. Please be sure to dress for the weather as some activities, retrieving things or removing rubbish take place outdoors. We provide plenty of disposable gloves.                                                       
  • Attention to confidentiality and respect for all clients, staff and volunteers is required.