Volunteer with The Dish

It is the generosity of our volunteer groups from across the local community that allows The Dish to provide meals in Hornsby four nights a week.

Volunteer groups can:

• Cook and serve nourishing meals with friendship and without judgment to people from all walks of life.

• Join the Community Food Program team, helping with food rescue and pantry support on Mondays during the day.

For many volunteers, The Dish is the highlight of their week — a place to connect, contribute, and be part of a caring community.

What's involved

Volunteer as a Church, Work or Community Group

If your church, work or community group is interested in helping with a meal service, here’s what’s involved:

• Serve one night a term, or more often if you choose.

• Nominate a group leader to be our main point of contact.

• Provide 40 main meals and 40 desserts in takeaway containers. See the FAQs for food tips.

• At 5:30 pm, your team of five or more arrives with ready-to-serve food.

  You’ll serve meals, make and serve drinks such as tea and coffee, and enjoy conversation with our Dish friends.
  Clean-up is done at the end of the evening, finishing when the last guest leaves around 6:45 pm.

• Community Food Program (Food Relief):
  Monday, 10 am – 3 pm
  Help sort and pack food hampers with items collected through our food waste initiative, SecondBite, and local supermarkets.
  Once packed, assist with the delivery of hampers to families in need.

See the FAQs for information about volunteers aged under 18.  

        

In the form below, provide us with your name and email address. In the 'Your Message' section, tell us the name of your church and the nights of the week your group is available. For example, Tuesday or Friday or Food Rescue Program.