Engaging Young Volunteers

You can complete our volunteer form online by clicking here.

The Future is NOW: Engaging Young Volunteers

Shepherd's Table offers a range of opportunities to educate and engage youth - from hosting a Fannie Mae mini-walk on behalf of Shepherd's Table, to organizing a food drive, to offering opportunities for community service here at Shepherd's Table, to taking a tour followed by discussion of our popular services, to a bat/bar mitzvah project, to simply visiting Shepherd's Table to understand our mission

For high school and college students:

                                           Lindsey 16,
                                     High School Student
                          

"I had preconceived notion about clients. But when I met them, they were friendly and appreciative."

Our student volunteers help Shepherd's Table fulfill its mission in the community. We provide a way for students to fulfill their community service hours. There are many ways to volunteer at Shepherd's Table. We need help preparing food, setting up our dining room, serving food and cleaning up. During different times of the year, we have campaigns going on when we ask volunteers to perform office work such as envelope stuffing or data entry. A favorite volunteer activity is helping our dedicated ladies and gentlemen organize our donations for our clothing closet.

To volunteer on-site at Shepherd's Table for food service you must be at least 16 years old
Dress code: long pants and closed-toe shoes and shirts that cover mid drift. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. NO: shorts, spaghetti strap or strapless tops, sandals, or anything that bares mid section.
Come prepared to work. Leave cell phones, pocket books and personal items at home or locked in vehicles.
Please call our staff at 301-585-6463 to attend a volunteer orientation.

For the middle school students:                               

Our Volunteer Manager is currently in the process of developing a program for students under fourteen years of age. Shepherd’s Table wants to involve people of all ages in our efforts with age-appropriate activities and responsibilities. If you are a parent or teacher and you would like your children/students to experience Shepherd’s Table, you can contact Jordan Kough at jkough@shepherdstable.org.

For volunteers 14 years old and youngers:                            

Younger children cannot volunteer on-site. We suggest a project off-site topped off by a tour of Shepherd's Table by our director or one of our kid-friendly staff.
Some suggestions include:
Holding an art shows, talent shows or musical reviews and donating the proceeds to Shepherd's Table. A Shepherd's Table Representative would be happy to attend
Making art projects that can be displayed in our facility.
Having a yard sale in your neighborhood to benefit Shepherd's Table
Baking brownies or chocolate chip cookies
Having a food drive following Shepherd's Table guidelines

Call 301-585-6463 or email us at info@shepherdstable.org to tell us about your upcoming event

RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL SHEPHERD'S TABLE FOOD DRIVE

LET US KNOW THAT YOU ARE HAVING A FOOD DRIVE AND WHEN YOU INTEND TO DROP OFF THE PROCEEDS. THIS WAY WE CAN BE PREPARED TO RECEIVE THE ITEMS.

TRY TO HAVE FOOD DRIVES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE HAVE NEEDS ALL YEAR LONG, NOT JUST DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

CHOOSE ITEMS FROM OUR WISH LIST. EMPHASIZE THESE IN YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS.

FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE WE SERVE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT OPENED ITEMS OR ITEMS WITH EXPIRED DATES.

PLEASE TRY TO SORT THE ITEMS BY TYPE, I.E., CORN, PEAS, ETC. IF YOU ARE HAVING A SCHOOL DRIVE, IT MIGHT BE EASY TO ASSIGN DONATIONS BY GRADE OR AGE OR THE FIRST LETTER IN THE LAST NAME. WE ARE IN URGENT NEED OF LARGE CANS.

WE SERVE AN AVERAGE OF 145 DINNERS EACH EVENING AND NEED TO MAKE FOOD IN QUANTITY. THUS, WE CANNOT USE AN OBSCURE PRODUCT OR A PRODUCT THAT IS MEANT TO BE PREPARED IN SMALL QUANTITIES: E.G., SOUP FOR ONE, ARTICHOKE HEARTS, ETC. REFER TO OUR WISH LIST BY CLICKING HERE FOR SUGGESTIONS.

FINANCIAL GIFTS ARE ALSO VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, AS THEY ALLOW US TO PROVIDE THE GIFT OF GOOD NUTRITION TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

NEEDED FOOD ITEMS:

Pepper Salad dressing
Fresh fruits & vegetables Hot Sauce
Rice (bulk size) Margarine or butter
Canned vegetables (large, #10 cans) Soup (cream-based or broth)