volunteering at dc central kitchen

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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GLEANINg

DC Central Kitchen gleanings support local farms and help prevent food waste! Throughout the peak growing season, volunteers will meet us at local farms to pick fresh produce that they could otherwise not harvest or sell. DCCK will use these ingredients to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to community partners throughout DC. No experience is required!

Interested in joining? Gleaning season runs from late May through October! Sign up for a session today using our volunteer portal.

Gleaning shifts occur from 9 am to 12 pm, volunteers are encouraged to arrive at 8:45. No prior experience required.

2025 Gleaning schedule

Thursday, May 29 | Franciscan Monastery (ages 18+ only) FULL
 
Wednesday, June 4 | Butler’s Orchard FULL
 
Friday, June 27 | Butler’s Orchard FULL
 
Thursday, July 10 | Franciscan Monastery (ages 18+ only) FULL
 
Wednesday, July 16 | Miller Farm (ages 14+ only)
 
Wednesday, July 30 | JK Community Farm
 
Wednesday, August 13 | Miller Farm (ages 14+ only)
 
Tuesday, August 26 | Franciscan Monastery (ages 18+ only)
 
Tuesday, September 9 | Franciscan Monastery (ages 18+ only) FULL
 
Thursday, September 18 | Butler’s Orchard
 
Tuesday, October 7 | Franciscan Monastery (ages 18+ only) FULL
 
Tuesday, November 4 | Butler’s Orchard
 
Tuesday, November 18 | Franciscan Monastery (ages 18+ only)

Contact volunteer@dccentralkitchen.org for additional information. 

Register for A gleaning Trip

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.