Meals Program volunteers

Sacred Heart Mission Engagement Hub, 87 Grey Street, St Kilda

About the position

Our Meals Program is looking for people who enjoy working in a team environment and have a welcoming and friendly demeanor.

At our St Kilda Dining Hall, we provide 400+ free, nutritious meals to our community, 365 days a year.

We work with participants in a way that is non-judgmental – we treat everyone with dignity, respect and empathy.

What we are looking for

The Dining Hall sits at the heart of what we do at Sacred Heart Mission and is a point of first contact for many of our participants.

We are looking for a friendly and team minded person to aid with food preparation and serving food.

As you will be working with participants you should have an understanding of the issues involved in poverty and homelessness and the capacity to work respectfully with a diverse range of participants.

Requirements:

Police Check
Working with Children’s Check
Online Food Safety Course

An interview will need to be conducted in order to assess individuals suitability to the role.

About Sacred Heart Mission

Every day of the year, Sacred Heart Mission assists hundreds of people who are experiencing homelessness or disadvantage to find shelter, food, care and support. Through our wide-ranging homelessness services, research and innovation we strongly advocate for an inclusive, fair and compassionate community where people can overcome disadvantage and trauma.

About the Dining Hall: A meal is just the beginning …

Watch our video to learn more about our Meals Program and the difference you can make by joining our team:

Sacred Heart Mission’s Dining Hall, where a meal is just the beginning …

Our warm, welcoming Dining Hall in St Kilda is the heart of the Mission and where hundreds of people who are experiencing homelessness come every day of the year to share a meal. Hear from Head Chef Kirsty, Chef Robyn, Volunteer Simon and Case Manager Catherine, why the Meals Program is vital for our community:

Kirsty: At the Meals Program, it’s very important that we are providing a nutritious meal, but it’s not just about the meal. It’s also about trying to engage the people and to give them a sense of community. Donations are very important. Probably 90-95% of our food is produced through the donations from big and small businesses.

We do make over 400 meals a day. It’s very busy. It can get very hectic at times, but it’s also a lot of fun.

Simon: For me, it’s about realising how fortunate I actually am, and how unfortunate many of us are in the community. This is part of the community; it does a great service to the city of Melbourne and to the people in need.

Robyn: We make a difference in people’s lives. We’re including people that are often isolated. We welcome them to the Dining Hall. Everybody is welcome here.

Kirsty: We do this every day, 365 days a year.

Catherine: As a Case Worker, the environment of the Dining Hall is a place where you can engage with clients and may take many meals before they feel safe to start asking for help, but then you’re there and you can start providing a whole range of services that the Mission.

And that’s why it’s far more than just a meal.

Responsibilities

Serving meals to participants
Assisting chefs to prepare aspects of meals (such as chopping veggies, assembling meals),
Greeting participants with friendly eyes and a smile,
Contribute to a safe and coordinated kitchen environment.

Commitment

The Meals Program requires our volunteers to commit to a minimum of one shift a fortnight. Location of role is 87 Grey Street, St Kilda.

Note that as the Meals Program provides an essential service to vulnerable community members, we do not require proof of vaccination from our participants.

To apply

Apply online via the link below, make sure to select ‘Meals Program [Meals Program\Meals Program]’ in the ‘Areas of Interest’ – ‘Assignment Preference’ section of the form.

We will then conduct an in person interview and if successful you need to willing undergo a police check and a Working with Children Check.

Apply now