Opportunities From: FareStart

At FareStart, we believe everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious food. For more than 30 years, we have prepared and delivered meals throughout the Greater Seattle area, providing over 19 million meals to local nonprofits, shelters, respite centers, youth and adult daycare centers, and schools.

Volunteers play an important role in supporting the daily production of approximately 2,365 meals. No kitchen experience is required — this is a great opportunity for hands-on volunteering, team building, and giving back to the community.

Because our meal programs rely heavily on volunteer support, attendance is very important. If you are unable to attend your scheduled shift, please unregister as soon as possible so another volunteer may sign up and help ensure meals are prepared for the community members who depend on them.

Volunteers may assist with a variety of food preparation and kitchen support tasks based on skill level and comfort, including:

Community Meals Kitchen – Galaxy Building
635 Elliott Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119

Saturdays & Sundays
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

When you arrive, please call the kitchen at 253-260-4266 for assistance entering the building.

Volunteers working in kitchen spaces must wear:

Aprons and hairnets will be provided. Please avoid wearing loose jewelry or nail polish.

Please click this link to view the On-Site Volunteering Information Sheet before your shift. You will find key information here, including photos of building entrances!

·        Welcome and check in volunteers upon arrival

·        Support new volunteers with orientation and kitchen expectations

·        Distribute aprons, hairnets, gloves, and nametags

·        Review kitchen safety, sanitation, and food handling guidelines

·        Coordinate with FareStart staff to review the day’s meal prep plan and priorities

·        Help set up prep stations, tools, and ingredients before volunteers begin work

·        Provide direction, encouragement, and task support to volunteer groups throughout the shift

·        Assist with maintaining a clean, safe, and organized kitchen environment

·        Help ensure volunteers follow dress code and food safety standards

·        Communicate volunteer questions or concerns to FareStart staff

·        Support end-of-shift cleanup and organization

·        Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30am-11:30am

·        Saturday & Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm

·        Galaxy Studios Building, 635 Elliott Ave W, Seattle WA 98119

·        Must be 18 years or older

·        Must wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate kitchen attire

·        Must follow all food safety and sanitation guidelines and be willing to get WA Food Worker Card (FareStart is able to pay and provide service hours for taking test)

·        Must be reliable and arrive on time for scheduled shifts

·        Friendly, dependable, and comfortable leading small groups

·        Strong communication and organizational skills

·        Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment

·        Previous volunteer, food service, or leadership experience preferred but not required

·        Comfortable standing for extended periods and performing light to moderate lifting

·        Commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all volunteers and staff

Location: Galaxy Building, 635 Elliott Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119

Phone: 253-260-4266

Parking: Is available in Galaxy Building Garage ($16), a lot across the street ($14), or on the street for free. Bus routes 24 and 30 stop along the street.

Dates/Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

9:30am-11:30am

Attire: Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy, closed-toed, non-slip/rubber-soled shoes and full-length pants. We also advise volunteers to wear clothes and shoes which can get dirty, we will provide aprons. Long hair must be tied back, and all volunteers must wear a hat or a hairnet (hairnet provided). Please refrain from wearing nail polish.

Health & Safety Considerations: 

Please click this link to view the On-Site Volunteering Information Sheet before your shift. You will find key information here, including photos of building entrances! 

Overview

FareStart’s Food Resourcing Team partners with area food rescue nonprofits, local farms, and food businesses to pick up food donations. This product will be used in our community meals to support student training, and in other food security initiatives. It helps FareStart incorporate fresh, local, and nutritious products into those programs, diversify ingredients we wouldn’t otherwise be able to purchase, and minimize costs.

Tasks

This ongoing weekly volunteer role will support in a variety of activities, including:

Schedule and Location

Qualifications and Requirements

Please click this link to view the On-Site Volunteering Information Sheet before your shift. You will find key information here, including photos of building entrances! 

FareStart’s Food Security Team works with local partners to support our food rescue and access initiatives. From our local growers, we glean any goods that are seconds, in excess, or that they would like to donate. This product will be incorporated into our Community and School Meals.

21 Acres is a leader in sustainable and regenerative practices, serving as a living laboratory center for sustainable ways of living. Their purpose is to promote the benefits of local food systems within the context of climate challenges through their farm, community gardens, native plant nursery, education center, and more. 

For those new to gleaning, gleaning is:

Please watch these two training videos before showing up at your shift:

Lifting heavy objects   Knife Safety

Looking to get to 21 Acres on the bus from Seattle? Check out this route suggestion.

Click here for parking and driving instructions

After the Glean you are invited to enjoy the amenities of 21 acres which include:

Lead Volunteers in the Community Meals Kitchen help create a welcoming, organized, and productive volunteer experience while supporting FareStart’s mission to transform lives, disrupt poverty, and nourish communities through food and job training. Lead Volunteers serve as peer leaders who support staff with volunteer coordination, orientation, kitchen setup, and meal prep activities.

·        Welcome and check in volunteers upon arrival

·        Support new volunteers with orientation and kitchen expectations

·        Distribute aprons, hairnets, gloves, and nametags

·        Review kitchen safety, sanitation, and food handling guidelines

·        Coordinate with FareStart staff to review the day’s meal prep plan and priorities

·        Help set up prep stations, tools, and ingredients before volunteers begin work

·        Provide direction, encouragement, and task support to volunteer groups throughout the shift

·        Assist with maintaining a clean, safe, and organized kitchen environment

·        Help ensure volunteers follow dress code and food safety standards

·        Communicate volunteer questions or concerns to FareStart staff

·        Support end-of-shift cleanup and organization

·        Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00am-11:30am

·        Saturday & Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm

·        Galaxy Studios Building, 635 Elliott Ave W, Seattle WA 98119

·         Must be 18 years or older

·        Must wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate kitchen attire

·         Must follow all food safety and sanitation guidelines and be willing to get WA Food Worker Card (FareStart is able to pay and provide service hours for taking test)

·        Must be reliable and arrive on time for scheduled shifts

·        Friendly, dependable, and comfortable leading small groups

·        Strong communication and organizational skills

·        Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment

·         Previous volunteer, food service, or leadership experience preferred but not required

·        Comfortable standing for extended periods and performing light to moderate lifting

·        Commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all volunteers and staff

Community Meals Kitchen – Galaxy Building
635 Elliott Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119

Galaxy Building Garage: approximately $16

Paid lot across the street: approximately $14

Free street parking available nearby

Bus routes 24 and 30 stop nearby

Saturdays & Sundays
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

When you arrive, please call the kitchen at 253-260-4266 for assistance entering the building.

Volunteers working in kitchen spaces must wear:

Closed-toe, non-slip or rubber-soled shoes

Full-length pants

Comfortable clothing that can get dirty

Long hair tied back

Aprons and hairnets will be provided. Please avoid wearing loose jewelry or nail polish.

Please do not volunteer if you are feeling sick

FareStart is a mask-friendly environment

Please click this link to view the On-Site Volunteering Information Sheet before your shift. You will find key information here, including photos of building entrances!

Volunteer Opportunity: Dishwasher – Guest Chef Night
Location: FareStart Restaurant (7th & Virginia, Seattle)
Shift: Evening (typically 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM, varies by event)

Overview
Support an unforgettable evening at FareStart’s Guest Chef Night by joining our back-of-house team as a Volunteer Dishwasher. Guest Chef Night brings together renowned local chefs and FareStart students to create a three-course dining experience for the community. Volunteers play a critical role in making the event run smoothly, and this position is essential to kitchen operations.

FareStart is a social enterprise nonprofit that uses food as a tool to transform lives, disrupt poverty, and nourish communities through job training and employment programs.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

What to Expect

Impact
Your role ensures the kitchen runs efficiently, allowing chefs and students to focus on delivering a high-quality dining experience. By volunteering, you directly support FareStart’s mission and help create meaningful training opportunities for students.

FareStart’s Food Resourcing Team works with local partners to support our food security and rescue initiatives. From our local growers, we glean any goods that are seconds, in excess, or that they would like to donate. This product will be incorporated into our Community and School Meals kitchens to provide local, nutritious food to communities experiencing food insecurity.

For those new to gleaning, gleaning is:

Please watch these two training videos before showing up at your shift:

Lifting heavy objects   Knife Safety

FareStart’s Food Resourcing Team works with local partners to support our food security and rescue initiatives. From our local growers, we glean any goods that are seconds, in excess, or that they would like to donate. This product will be incorporated into our Community and School Meals kitchens to provide local, nutritious food to communities experiencing food insecurity.

For those new to gleaning, gleaning is:

Please watch these two training videos before showing up at your shift:

Lifting heavy objects   Knife Safety

FareStart’s Food Resourcing Team works with local partners to support our food security and rescue initiatives. From our local growers, we glean any goods that are seconds, in excess, or that they would like to donate. This product will be incorporated into our Community and School Meals kitchens to provide local, nutritious food to communities experiencing food insecurity.

For those new to gleaning, gleaning is:

Please watch these two training videos before showing up at your shift:

Lifting heavy objects   Knife Safety

The Food Resourcing team is working to reduce food waste and increase food security by transporting excess donated products we receive from our local farm partners that cannot be used within FareStart to our local food bank partners instead. The volunteer will lead fellow volunteers in harvesting produce at the farm; then will transport produce from the farm to the correlating food bank that requested it. Essential information will be provided beforehand, as well as directions to any locations being traveled to. 

Requirements: Having a personal vehicle to transport food in or willing to be van trained

Preferred: The ability to attend regular shifts (once a week or once every other week). However, we will take any help you are willing to give! 

The Food Resourcing team is working to reduce food waste and increase food security by transporting excess donated products we receive from our local farm partners that cannot be used within FareStart to our local food bank partners instead. The volunteer will transport the produce from FareStart to the correlating food bank that requested it. Specific information will be provided beforehand, as well as directions to any locations being traveled to. 

Requirements: Having a personal vehicle to transport food in or willing to become van trained

The Food Resourcing team is working to reduce food waste and increase food security by transporting excess donated products we receive from our local farm partners that cannot be used within FareStart to our local food bank partners instead. The volunteer will lead fellow volunteers in harvesting produce at the farm; then will transport produce from the farm to the correlating food bank that requested it. Essential information will be provided beforehand, as well as directions to any locations being traveled to. 

Requirements: Having a personal vehicle to transport food in or willing to be van trained

Preferred: The ability to attend regular shifts (once a week or once every other week). However, we will take any help you are willing to give! 

The Food Resourcing team is working to reduce food waste and increase food security by transporting excess donated products we receive from our local farm partners that cannot be used within FareStart to our local food bank partners instead. The volunteer will lead fellow volunteers in harvesting produce at the farm; then will transport produce from the farm to the correlating food bank that requested it. Essential information will be provided beforehand, as well as directions to any locations being traveled to. 

Requirements: Having a personal vehicle to transport food in or willing to be van trained

Preferred: The ability to attend regular shifts (once a week or once every other week). However, we will take any help you are willing to give! 

The Food Resourcing team is working to reduce food waste and increase food security by transporting excess donated products we receive from our local farm partners that cannot be used within FareStart to our local food bank partners instead. The volunteer will lead fellow volunteers in harvesting produce at the farm; then will transport produce from the farm to the correlating food bank that requested it. Essential information will be provided beforehand, as well as directions to any locations being traveled to. 

Requirements: Having a personal vehicle to transport food in or willing to be van trained

Preferred: The ability to attend regular shifts (once a week or once every other week). However, we will take any help you are willing to give!