Our Community Meal Serve Program is one of our most successful volunteer initiatives. Groups who participate in this program are not only volunteering to serve the meal, but more importantly, are providing the meal itself.

We are fortunate to have over 80 groups who commit to this program on a monthly basis. They help us to provide nearly 300,000 nutritious meals each year, either by providing food or underwriting the cost of food. They cook, they clean, and unfortunately, they have committed to serving on an ongoing basis, leaving few dinner spots available.

There are, however, many opportunities to serve breakfast and lunch! For a list of available dates, email our Director of Volunteer Services, Marty Vevera, at marty.vevera@cflhomeless.org.

Check out the information below to see if this is the program for you!

Cost/cooking: Groups have the choice of preparing the meal according to federal nutritional guidelines (see below) or underwriting the cost of the meal. Our kitchen is available for meal preparations upon request.

Time involved: If preparing the meal, the group needs to arrive with adequate time to do so. If the group is underwriting the meal, volunteers need to arrive 30 minutes before serving begins (serving times provided below). Minimum time requirement for meal service is two hours.

Sign in: Upon arrival, everyone in the group must sign in on the volunteer sheets provided. After signing in, the kitchen staff will provide instructions.

Cleanup: Volunteers are welcome to help clean up after the meal is served; however, this is not required.

Extra volunteers: If a group has more than the minimum number of volunteers, residents can be served at their seats instead of through a serving line. This is a treat for our clients!

Federal nutritional guidelines (per serving):
2 ounces meat
1/2 cup starch product (pasta, rice, bread)
1/2 cup vegetable
1/2 cup vegetable or fruit
8 ounces milk (For children only. 1% 2-18 years old, whole 0-2 years old)
*Drinks for adults (enough for 10 gallons)
*Dessert
*Appreciated, but not required

Serving details for each facility:

Center for Women and Families
Location: 639 W. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
Cost to underwrite breakfast: $100
Cost to underwrite dinner: $275
Minimum number of volunteers: 6-8
*Breakfast: Serving begins at 6:00 a.m. M-F, 8:00 a.m. on weekends
*Dinner serve time: Serving begins at 6:00 p.m. daily

Women’s Residential and Counseling Center
Location: 107 E. Hillcrest St., Orlando, FL 32801
Cost to underwrite breakfast: $100
Cost to underwrite meal: $170
Minimum number of volunteers: 3-4
*Breakfast: Serving begins at 6:00 a.m. M-F, 8:00 a.m. on weekends
*Dinner: Serving begins at 6:00 p.m. M-F, 4:00 p.m. on weekends

Men’s Pavilion
Location: 639 W. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
Cost to underwrite breakfast: $150
Cost to underwrite meal: $500
Minimum number of volunteers: 8-10
*Breakfast: Serving begins at 6:00 a.m. M-F, 8:00 a.m. on weekends
*Dinner: Serving begins at 7:00 p.m. daily