ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Volunteer Kitchen Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Porchlight, Inc.

Shelter Kitchen Manager

Madison, WI · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

The Shelter Kitchen Manager is expected to be the expert in the kitchen, maintain good working relationships with shelter staff and continuously seek donations and volunteers from the community in ...

Porchlight, Inc.

Shelter Kitchen Manager

Madison, WI · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

The Shelter Kitchen Manager is expected to be the expert in the kitchen, maintain good working relationships with shelter staff and continuously seek donations and volunteers from the community in ...

Heartbeet Lifesharing

Culinary Crew Lead

Hardwick, VT · On-site

$52K/yr

Supervise volunteer kitchen staff, including Coworkers and Friends. * Assign tasks, provide ... Passion for working with people of all abilities * Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse ...

THE SHEPHERDS TABLE, INC

Kitchen Assistant

Silver Spring, MD · On-site

$14.50 - $17.75/hr

... volunteers in the kitchen during mealtimes and encourages other ST volunteer involvement ... Minimum of 1 year experience working in a kitchen or dining room environment. Preferred: High ...

CityTeam Ministries

Volunteer Coordinator

Chester, PA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and clients ... Hall, Kitchen, Mother and Baby Program, Adult Clothing, Shelter, and Recovery Programs While ...

Town of Cohasset

Kitchen Manager

Cohasset, MA · On-site

$28.61/hr

The Kitchen Manager works closely with the Director of Elder Affairs and leads food-service ... Previous experience supervising, scheduling, or working with volunteers is a plus. Schedule and ...

Cityteam

Volunteer Coordinator

Chester, PA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and clients ... Kitchen, Mother and Baby Program, Adult Clothing, Shelter, and Recovery Programs • While ...

Salvation Army

Kitchen Manager

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$58K - $62K/yr

Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure volunteers and community service workers complete ... service kitchen. o Experience in institutional cooking, food management, supervisory roles ...

Diocese of Gaylord

Kitchen Assistant

Alpena, MI · On-site

$12.25 - $15.25/hr

Working alongside the daily Lead Cook and volunteers, the Kitchen Assistant helps prepare daily meals, maintain kitchen operations, and uphold the Center of Charity's mission of compassionate, trauma ...

Siena Francis House

Kitchen Staff

Omaha, NE · On-site

$12.50 - $16/hr

Additionally, this position works with and trains volunteers and vocational workers, leads shifts ... The Kitchen Staff must be able to perform all duties of the kitchen and functional areas. * This ...

Diocese of Gaylord

Kitchen Assistant

Alpena, MI

$12.25 - $15.25/hr

Working alongside the daily Lead Cook and volunteers, the Kitchen Assistant helps prepare daily meals, maintain kitchen operations, and uphold the Center of Charity's mission of compassionate, trauma ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsVolunteer Kitchen Worker Jobs

Volunteer Kitchen Worker information

See salary details

$8

$14

$20

How much do volunteer kitchen worker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer kitchen worker in the United States is $14.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.30 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Volunteer Kitchen Worker vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectVolunteer Kitchen WorkerKitchen Assistant
CredentialsTypically no formal credentials requiredOften requires basic food safety certification
Work EnvironmentCommunity kitchens, shelters, food banksRestaurants, catering, institutional kitchens
Employer & IndustryNonprofit organizations, charitiesCommercial food service establishments
Search & Comparison IntentVolunteering, community servicePaid employment, career development

Volunteer Kitchen Workers usually assist in community or nonprofit kitchens without formal credentials, focusing on service and support roles. Kitchen Assistants are paid staff in commercial settings, often requiring food safety certifications. While both roles involve food prep and kitchen tasks, Volunteer Kitchen Workers emphasize volunteering and community service, whereas Kitchen Assistants are employed for operational support in professional food establishments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volunteer kitchen worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer Kitchen Worker, essential skills include basic food preparation, knowledge of food safety, and a willingness to follow instructions, with no formal qualifications typically required. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, safe food handling procedures, and sometimes completion of a food handler certification are beneficial. Strong teamwork, reliability, and effective communication help create a positive and efficient kitchen environment. These skills and qualities ensure meals are prepared safely and efficiently, supporting the kitchen's mission to serve the community.

What are some common challenges faced by volunteer kitchen workers and how can they be managed?

Volunteer Kitchen Workers often face challenges such as working in a fast-paced environment, managing time effectively during meal preparation, and maintaining food safety standards. It's important to communicate clearly with team members and to follow established kitchen protocols to ensure efficiency and safety. Flexibility and a willingness to learn from more experienced staff can help volunteers adapt quickly. Many organizations provide brief orientations or on-the-job training to help new volunteers feel comfortable and confident in their roles.

What is a volunteer kitchen worker?

Volunteer Kitchen Workers are individuals who offer their time without pay to help prepare, cook, and serve meals, often in community kitchens, shelters, food banks, or charitable organizations. Their responsibilities can include food preparation, serving food, cleaning kitchen areas, and assisting with inventory or donations. These volunteers play a vital role in ensuring that food services run smoothly and safely, often supporting vulnerable or underserved populations. By volunteering, they help their communities while gaining valuable experience in food service and teamwork.
What cities are hiring for Volunteer Kitchen Worker jobs? Cities with the most Volunteer Kitchen Worker job openings:
What states have the most Volunteer Kitchen Worker jobs? States with the most job openings for Volunteer Kitchen Worker jobs include:
Volunteer Kitchen Worker jobs near you

Shelter Kitchen Manager

Porchlight, Inc.

Madison, WI • On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Shelter Kitchen Manager
Hours: 40 per week, varies Monday through Friday and weekends as neccesary
Summary
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Shelter Kitchen Manager functions as the onsite working manager, overseeing all kitchen operations for the Men's shelter. This position supervises and works alongside a team of employees with differing abilities; teaches employees cooking skills, plans menus, and orders food and supplies within guidelines set by the Director of Kitchen Programs; reports to the Director of Kitchen Programs about any employee or product issues. The Shelter Kitchen Manager is expected to be the expert in the kitchen, maintain good working relationships with shelter staff and continuously seek donations and volunteers from the community in order to ease the fiscal burden of the program. The ideal candidate manages using the "Inspect What You Expect" mantra and leads with patience and a teaching/mentoring perspective.
Essential Job Duties
  • Plans and prepares menu items and delegates food preparation duties.
  • Maintains appropriate inventory of food and supplies.
  • Leads staff in daily meal production, preparation and service.
  • Properly handles and stores food, including training staff on procedures.
  • Ensures proper kitchen sanitation and personal hygiene, including training staff on procedures.
  • Assists in training kitchen staff (which includes individuals with disabilities) by describing and demonstrating techniques.
  • Assures proper food safety practices are followed during food preparation and storage.
  • Coordinates and oversees staff related to kitchen operations.
  • Schedules shelter kitchen workers according to need; covers open shifts as necessary, either themselves or by coordinating with other staff.
  • Works with community partners and external agencies to source food, supplies and volunteers to bolster what we can provide our guests.
  • Alerts management to problems.
  • Routine lifts up to 50 pounds of varied products.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Essential Duties of Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Works in collaboration with program and all other agency staff to facilitate a team environment.
  • Demonstrates and models effective communication skills in building relationships with all clients and employees.
  • Creates good working relationships with other service providers.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Minimum of 3-years successful work experience in food service, demonstrating commitment to teamwork, good judgment, low absenteeism, time management skills, and a positive outlook.
  • Minimum 3-years managerial or supervisory experience of 3+ employees.
  • Minimum 1-year professional experience preparing food for 250-300 people
  • Strong understanding of basic food preparation techniques.
  • Current ServSafe Certification [note: an otherwise qualified candidate can meet this requirement by completing the training independently within the first 90 days of employment].
  • Basic understanding of the role of food and labor costs in commercial food operations.
  • Genuine desire to work with a socially disadvantaged and multi-ethnic population, including the homeless and those with low incomes.
  • Sincere respect for disadvantaged individuals.
  • Ability to motivate and obtain willing cooperation from others.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Ability to adapt to new technology quickly.
  • Valid Driver's License and access to a vehicle.
  • Ability to routinely lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff and residents from various backgrounds.
  • Team orientation with respect for others.
  • High ethical standards.
  • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
  • Written communication to name and organize files, complete timesheets, and communicate with supervisor.

Physical Demands
The following physical demands are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Indoor environment: Shelter facility, kitchen, open office, etc.
  • Outdoor environment: parking lot, grounds, etc.
  • Exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, loud noises, fumes, airborne particles, toxic/caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
  • Standing, kneeling, walking.
  • Bending, stooping.
  • Reaching, pushing, pulling.
  • Climbing stairs.
  • Lifting, carrying up to 50 pounds.
  • Repetitive, fine hand, finger, and foot movements.
  • Typing/data entry.
  • Talking, hearing, interacting with coworkers, vendors, participants.
  • Close vision.
  • Distance vision, field of vision, color/depth perception.
  • Using office machines - phone, fax, computers, postage meter, etc.
  • Operating various equipment and tools.

Physical Qualifications
  • Seeing, hearing, speaking.
  • Reading, writing.
  • Basic English comprehension, written and oral communication.
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity to use tools and clean units.

Porchlight Values & Culture:
  • Treats all clients, employees, and visitors with caring, kindness, respect, and dignity.
  • Helps to create an environment that values and appreciates diversity.
  • Adheres to all Porchlight policies, procedures, code of conduct, and attendance rules.
  • Maintains strict confidentiality of all information.
  • Adheres to Porchlight policies in the use of Porchlight property, computer technology, and tele-communications devices.
  • Conducts self within appropriate and expected professional boundaries and policies.
  • Works with clients to eliminate barriers.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

Apply