Volunteer with Cooking Matters

 

Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters® is a cooking-based nutrition education program that empowers low-income families with the confidence and skills to prepare healthy, tasty meals on a limited budget.  Cooking Matters® courses meet for two hours, once a week for six weeks and are team-taught by a volunteer culinary instructor, nutrition educator and classroom assistant. Volunteers must have an interest in working with low-income individuals with diverse backgrounds, as well as the Cooking Matters mission.

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in volunteering with us? Contact MacKenzie, Cooking Matters Program Assistant:   Email Mackenzie

Cooking Matters Volunteer Class Assistant

Cooking Matters Volunteer Class Assistants are expected to actively participate as a teaching team member. Volunteers go through Cooking Matters® volunteer training before attending a class and must have a reliable form of transportation or ability to travel to class location. Class Assistants will be the support system to the nutrition and culinary instructors which may include; managing class materials (food, dishes and equipment), set-up and take-down, leading small groups, lifting 20lbs, good communication skills.

Cooking Matters® Volunteer Culinary Instructor

Volunteer Culinary Instructors will be teaching basic food safety skills, knife skills and help with recipe preparation. Cooking Matters volunteers are expected to actively participate as a teaching team member. Volunteers go through Cooking Matters® volunteer training before attending a class and must have a reliable form of transportation or ability to travel to class location.

Cooking Matters® Volunteer Nutrition Instructor

It is highly recommended that Volunteer Nutrition Instructors to have a strong nutritional background or strong understanding of nutrition. Cooking Matters volunteers are expected to actively participate as a teaching team member. Volunteers go through Cooking Matters® volunteer training before attending a class and must have a reliable form of transportation or ability to travel to class location.

 

Time Commitment

Cooking Matters program schedules can vary, and may be held in-person Monday thru Friday any time between 8:30am and 8:00 pm. Cooking Matters programming usually takes 3 hours total, which includes 30 minutes of set up, 2 hours of programming and 30 minutes of clean up. The team will communicate with volunteers via email prior to the start of programs. Volunteers are welcome to join in all parts of the program including class set up, teaching, cooking, dishes and take down.

Volunteer Benefits

Cooking Matters values their volunteers! Along with the benefits of building community connections, volunteers receive 1 free meal during class time. We also offer volunteer appreciation activities in celebration of the hard work our volunteers put into our program.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I have to sign up for the full six-week course?

A: We highly recommend sticking to the program for the full six weeks to build a community with our participants.

Q: Can college students or businesses volunteer?

A: Yes, once you have completed the volunteer training program you can pick the programs that work best for you.

Q: How far away do I have to drive?

A: That is up to each individual volunteer. Addresses will be provided when deciding if a program is a good fit for you.

Want to Become a Cooking Matters Volunteer?

Email MacKenzie Kittery, Cooking Matters Program Assistant,  to schedule a 1.5 hours volunteer training!

Email Mackenzie