Lunch with Older Adults Volunteer

The Community Need

Older adults in our community often feel isolated and lonely and may also struggle with food insecurity.  Having a communal place to go for a meal and socialization can go a long way in improving an older adult’s mental and physical health.  JFS provides a hot meal and friendly companionship to seniors at the LGBT Center in Hillcrest every weekday, Monday through Friday.

How You Can Help

Volunteers will meet JFS staff at the Jacobs Campus and ride with staff to the LGBT Center for the congregate lunch program.  Volunteers will help older adult clients check-in as they arrive, set up dining tables with cups and cutlery, and assist older adult members as they enter the lunchroom.  A warm welcome and kind smile are additional desired attributes!  Volunteers are invited to socialize with older adults, hear their life stories and provide companionship.

Time commitment

It is appreciated if volunteers can help in an ongoing capacity, however we understand that volunteers are busy, go out of town, have other obligations, etc.  We are looking for folks who’d like to volunteer more than once to develop some rapport with the older adult clients. 

Things to Consider

Volunteers should meet at the Jacobs Campus weekdays (Mon-Fri) by 10:15am for each shift so JFS Nutrition staff is assured they will have necessary help that day.  If volunteers aren’t available, two staff members will be needed.  Volunteers will return to Jacobs Campus with JFS staff by 1:00pm.

Qualifications

·         Reliable transportation to Jacobs Campus by 10:15am

·         Interview with program staff

·         Must be 18+

·         HIPAA, False Claims & CDA Privacy & Security training (provided, online)

·         Background check (free of charge)

If you are interested in getting started with this volunteer opportunity, please reach out to volunteer@jfssd.org to get started.