Be the change: help a mobile soup kitchen reach homeless neighbors in Berkeley

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It's incredibly rewarding to make a tangible difference in someone's life...and even better when you are right there to see their reaction. Are you ready to see the world through a different lens?

Train with us to become one of our "co-pilots", distributing hot soup, bread and survival supplies *directly* to our unhoused neighbors in Berkeley. It takes two people to distribute soup, bread and survival supplies from our organization's van to people scattered around Berkeley who are living on the streets, in their cars, or in encampments. We reach about 100 people each time we go out, every Sunday and Thursday evening.

Tasks

• Join other volunteers at our organization headquarters. We operate from a residence that is walking distance from the North Berkeley BART. (We always work in pairs, so you will never be alone.)
  
  
• Help load the organization's van with food and supplies.
  
  
• Ride in the passenger seat as the van travels around Berkeley locating people in need.
  
  
• Distribute soup, bread and a smile to about 100 people, following Consider The Homeless' guidelines.

You will be taught very specific guidelines about how to interact with people in the most respectful way possible. Fundamentally, we are showing people that they are valued and trying to establish a connection through a simple gift (the soup). Always, our priority is to respect the privacy of our sisters and brothers on the streets and everyone's safety during this pandemic. We do not try to learn "their story", nor do we ask them their name or other questions. Instead, we introduce ourselves and try to earn their trust through a friendly, respectful interaction. This is vital in order to be of help in future, and is the core of our philosophy at Consider The Homeless! We try to remember names by offering ours and using theirs when we can.

Qualifications

• Available 1 or more times per month on a Sunday and/or Thursday, 4:45 - 9:45 pm
• Able to get in and out of van repeatedly during your shift
• Willing to follow guidelines for respectful, unobtrusive interactions with people
• Prompt, reliable: we go out rain or shine!
• Note: You do not need to be able to drive nor do you need a vehicle of your own.
  
  

What / Who is Consider The Homeless?

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, local grassroots organization in Berkeley, CA that is 100% volunteer -- there are no paid staff. All donations directly fund our programs. Consider the Homeless! delivers food and survival supplies to unhoused Berkeley residents living on the street, in their car, or in an encampment. Unlike other services for the homeless, we do not require that people find their way to us. We go to them, and we meet them where they are...literally and figuratively.

We have two primary programs: 1) A mobile soup kitchen that delivers hot, homemade soup with bread and survival supplies in the evening every Thursday and Sunday, rain or shine. 2) During the pandemic, we've also been providing grocery bags of non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods & drinking water to about 80 people on both Mondays and Fridays.

Got questions? Don't hesitate to email Deb at info@considerthehomeless.org