Volunteer Criteria & Safety

New Criteria for Volunteering

Health experts have advised that individuals over the age of sixty as well as individuals of any age with underlying health conditions or who are immunocompromised are at the highest risk of COVID-19. Therefore, we are asking that all volunteers in the high risk category (i.e. seniors over 60 and those with underlying health conditions or who are immunocompromised) to suspend attendance in their volunteer roles until further notice.

To be clear, all volunteers sixty and older are NOT to attend their volunteer shift until further notice.

This new change is to ensure that those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 are protected. We hope that this virus will be contained as quickly as possible and we will be able to have all of our amazing volunteers with us once again.

Suspension of East Hamilton Food Centre

Effective immediately EHFC will be suspending services during this pandemic. This means that East Hamilton Food Centre volunteers are not required during this suspension. You will be contacted once we are able to resume service at the EHFC.

For those of you who are able to continue to volunteer we have protective measures in place to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and clients. We are following all Public Health Guidelines of social distancing and frequent handwashing and are continuously reviewing our screening processes and cleaning procedures.

Here are some additional safety changes in each of our programs:

Good Food Centre

• Volunteers will not have any direct contact with clients and will be assisting with putting together pre-made boxes of food
• Clients are waiting outside to access the Good Food Centre and only a small number of clients may access the program at a time
• Clients are provided with pre-made boxes of food to limit the amount of time they are in the food bank
• Gloves are available for all staff and volunteers
• Coffee and snacks are no longer provided
• Intake area has been rearranged to ensure proper social distancing

Willow’s Place

• Robust screening is in place at the door
• Using disposable cutlery and paper plates
• Coffee and tea are no longer provided

Men’s Shelter Kitchen

• Coffee and tea are no longer provided
• Staggered meals with additional cleaning

Protocols for safety are being adjusted as recommendations from Public Health change. The staff at Mission Services are so grateful for all of your support but we want you to know that it is at your discretion to come and volunteer in your assigned positions. We want you to be safe and we completely understand if you decide to suspend your volunteer hours until the COVID-19 pandemic is resolved.

Please contact our Volunteer Manager if you have any issues or concerns at aratzlaff@mission-services.com.