Volunteering at the Klein Center

Join us in the CoBank Volunteer Zone for daily morning shifts starting at 9am and weekday evening shifts from 6 – 8pm. Sign up now via our online Volunteer Portal.

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Be A hunger fighter

DC Central Kitchen volunteers work alongside our devoted front-line staff and Culinary Job Training students to cut, chop, peel and prep fresh produce as we prepare balanced meals for our community. Volunteer shifts are available for registration up to 3 months in advance. No cooking or food service experience required!

Volunteers must be 12 or older, and sign our General Liability and Waiver form. Those under the age of 18 are required to have a parent/legal guardian sign the waiver form.

Faqs

Questions? Read our list of the most common here

FAQs

Volunteer bill of rights

You have rights as a DC Central Kitchen volunteer.

Bill of Rights

Community Service Information for a Legal Matter

Community Service volunteers must follow DC Central Kitchen’s intake and reporting requirements
Community Service

See what you’re part of volunteering at DCCK

More Ways to make a difference

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Invest In Our Work

Make a donation to DC Central Kitchen.

Donate
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Support Our Social Enterprises

Visit one of our DCCK cafe locations.

Visit a Cafe
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Glean With Us

Meet us at local farms to pick fresh produce for us to in our nutritious community meals.

Gleaning

Volunteer FAQ

Use the online volunteer portal to sign up for a shift. Contact volunteer@dccentralkitchen.org  for assistance.

None. Just a great attitude and willingness to work hard.

Volunteers must be 12 years or older.

Meal prep involves cutting vegetables, preparing salads, packaging meals, and other kitchen related tasks.

Daily Meal Prep: 30 

(Larger groups may potentially be accommodated based on need and availability. Please contact volunteer@dccentralkitchen.org for inquiries.)
 
Gleaning: 30-50 (Volunteer slots and age requirements vary depending on farm location.)

No, we offer special assignments for vegetarians and persons with allergies.

Volunteers must be able to stand for 3 hours but will not be required to lift heavy loads. There are benches located around the Volunteer Zone if breaks are needed throughout the shift. 

Persons with back injuries are not advised to sign up for gleaning shifts as that involves working outdoors with local farm partners on various physical activities.

Safety is our number one concern. All volunteers must wear appropriate and professional attire suitable for an industrial production kitchen. Please wear closed toed shoes, sleeves and long pants. Shoes with high-grip soles are strongly recommended.

Due to health regulations, volunteers who do not follow this dress code will not be allowed to work in the Kitchen. Please remember:

  • No shorts or short skirts/dresses
  • No tights, spandex, leggings, or pajama pants
  • No tank tops or sleeveless shirts/dresses
  • No shirts with exposed midriff (front or back)
  • No open toed sandals or shoes
  • No clothing with printed crude or offensive words or images
  • No loose jewelry such as watches, bracelets, dangling earrings, and rings
  • No high heels

Lockers are available for use during indoor volunteer shifts should any clothing or other items need to be stored throughout your shift.

We rely heavily on the hard work of volunteers in order to effectively serve our community. If you schedule a volunteer shift and DO NOT show up, DC Central Kitchen cannot serve the community to the best of our ability.
 
If you are no longer able to join the shift you registered for, please cancel your shift within your Volunteer Portal 48 hours prior to the shift. If you have a last minute cancellation (within 48 hours of the shift date), please call (202) 234-0707 to inform the team you will no longer be able to join.
While lunch is not provided, we do have our DC Central Kitchen Cafe’ in our main lobby with items available for purchase. For groups, you can also request catering services for before or after your shift pending space and availability.  There is no outside food or drink (excluding water) permitted in our facility.
 
There is no food provided at any gleaning shift so feel free to bring water and snacks if needed. Keep in mind the gleaning shifts do not usually have lockers or secure space available for personal items. 
Our address is 2121 First Street SW, 20024 located in the Buzzard Point neighborhood behind the Audi field. Our front entrance is on V St between First and 2nd St.  
   
  • We are located closest to Waterfront Metro Station (Green Line).
  • We have a Circuit shuttle that runs every 15 minutes between Waterfront Metro and our facility Monday through Friday between 6:30am – 9:30am, and 3pm – 6pm.
  • There is also a metro bus (Bus 74) that runs between the Waterfront station and directly in front of our facility. 
  • James Creek Marina Parking Lot – open lot ENTRANCE ON 2ND & V Street ($20 Daily)   
  • Atlantic Parking Garage @ The Stacks ($25 daily or $20 if in before 9am) – covered garage ENTRANCE on 2nd Street
  • Colonial Parking Garage ($50 daily) – Covered garage ENTRANCE on 2nd Street next to The Point DC
  • Bike Racks are located on our site if guests would like to transport via bicycle (Each guest would have to provide own locks to lock bike)   

Yes, all volunteers will be required to electronically sign the Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability form prior to any volunteer shift. Volunteers under the age of 18 must provide a parent/guardian’s name on the waiver. The COVID-19 Vaccine Attestation form is optional.

Volunteer Bill of Rights

All volunteers have the right to:

  • Work in a safe environment
  • Be treated with respect by all staff members
  • Be engaged in meaningful work and be actively included regardless of any physical limitations
  • Be told what impact your work made in the community
  • Ask any staff member questions about our work
  • Provide feedback about your experience
  • Receive a copy of our financial information or annual report upon request.

Community Service

DC Central Kitchen provides opportunities for volunteers to complete service hours related to a legal matter during our regularly scheduled volunteer shifts. Candidates participating in this service for DCCK are prohibited from enrolling in our community service program if they have the following charges or convictions: assault, sexual assault, weapons charge, unlawful entry, destruction of property or disorderly conduct.
Community Service volunteers must contact Director of Guest Experience (202) 851-4207 or jmcintyre@dccentralkitchen.org or the Guest Experience Manager ( to confirm your service dates and times. A volunteer account can be created online for community service volunteers, and hours will be reported based on the shifts you are checked in for within the Volunteer Portal.
Community Service volunteers can only work at the Klein Center for Jobs and Justice (2121 First St, SW). We can accept no more than 10 court-ordered volunteers at a time. All community service volunteers are required to inform the Reception desk that you are volunteering for service hours upon check-in and should sign the Community Service Log for each visit.
Once you complete your required hours, you will receive a letter of completion and a confirmation of the number of hours completed. Your service opportunity can be terminated at any time for failure to abide by DC Central Kitchen’s regulations. Grounds for discontinuation of service include but are not limited to displaying a disruptive behavior or attitude; failing to adhere to DCCK’s dress code; or failing to show up for assigned shifts on time.