Volunteer - FISH

FISH is a nearly all-volunteer organization with only 17 staff members and about 180 active volunteers. Without volunteers, the cost of staffing FISH and Open Table’s many and diverse programs would be prohibitive. Volunteers enable us to deliver vital programs and services, lend expertise on the board of directors, help with special events, and keep the doors open every day. Every month, FISH and Open Table’s volunteers work more than 1100 hours, equivalent to 6.5 full-time staff members.

We invite anyone who is 16 years of age or older to volunteer. FISH’s Volunteer Services Manager often works with individuals who are younger and need service hours for school. Please see the Handbook for more specific information about volunteering. To learn about the many opportunities for volunteering at FISH and Open Table currently available, please contact the Director of Personnel at 509-925-5990 extension 1003.

Please note that not all jobs are available at all times.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Kitchen Assistant See Details Show Less

The Senior Nutrition programs feeds close to 200 people a day. Five days a week, fresh, hot meals are made so that everyone can enjoy a good lunch. Each morning through the early afternoon, Kitchen Assistants prep and help cook the meals that are passed on to the Senior Nutrition clients. No cooking skills necessary!

Location

The Open Table building, 204 West 2nd Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hours

Shifts are 4 – 6 hours long (short breaks are available!), 8 am – 12/2 pm.

Duties

• Help cooks prepare the meal with chopping, cutting and stirring.

• Help clean, including washing counters, helping with dishes and cleaning around the kitchen.

Requirements

• Ability to stand and move on your feet for four hours.

• Food Handler’s Card required (we’ll help you get one!)

• Friendly smile and attitude

• Ability to work both alone and in a team

• Treat all customers, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

Serving Assistant See Details Show Less

Five days a week, FISH offers fresh lunches for seniors and community members in need of a delicious, warm meal. Whether they are there to socialize or to eat, or both!, FISH likes to welcome them into a dining room with all the extras. The Serving Assistant helps to prepare the dining, as well as keep it going during the lunch periods. Use your best customer service skills and make Open Table into a restaurant.

Location

The Open Table building, 204 Main Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hours

Shifts are 4 hours long, 10 am – 2 pm

Duties

• Help prepare the dining room for incoming customers, including preparing place settings and helping with the beverages.

• Greet customers and make sure they sign in.

• Replace place settings as necessary and guide customers to their seats.

• Clean up after the meal

Requirements

• Ability to stand and move on your feet for four hours (short breaks are available!)

• Food Handler’s Card required (we’ll help you get one!)

• Friendly smile and attitude

• Ability to work both alone and in a team

• Treat all customers, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

Meals on Wheels Driver See Details Show Less

Meals on Wheels recipients rely on FISH to bring them fresh, hot lunches four days a week, and frozen meals for the weekends. With six routes daily, it’s important to have a lot of volunteers who can help! This job is particularly rewarding as you may be the only person your recipient sees that day. You will need a reliable vehicle and a clean license and insurance to drive for Meals on Wheels. FISH takes drivers who substitute on the days that they can or drive one route every week – choose what you’d like to do!

Location

Beginning at the Open Table building, 204 N Main Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hours

Shifts are 2 hours long, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Duties

• Pick up hot meals at the Open Table kitchen in Ellensburg

• Using a route sheet, deliver meals to all clients on the route

• Check clients for health and safety

• Return to the kitchen to drop off supplies

Requirements

• Ability to drive to client’s homes in own vehicle
• A clean driving record and current insurance
• Friendly smile and attitude
• Treat all clients, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

Pantry Stockers See Details Show Less

Every day dozens of families receive groceries from the FISH pantry, and volunteers make it happen. Pantry Stockers do just that, stock the pantry! You do not need to be able to lift heavy boxes or carry things long distance. There is plenty of room for all ages and abilities! Join a team and enjoy your time getting the pantry ready for distribution.

Location

The Elmview building, 804 Elmview Rd, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hours

Shifts are 4 hours long, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Duties

• Prepare the pantry for distribution, stocking and sorting produce, meats, pastries and canned goods

• Receiving new donations

• Helping to fill the diaper bank

• Processing the food from the Grocery Rescue program

Requirements

• Ability to stand and move about for four hours (short break are available!) (Disability devices are fine!)

• Friendly smile and attitude

• Ability to work both alone and in a team

• Treat all customers, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

Grocery Rescue Drivers See Details Show Less

Help stock the pantry with groceries from our local stores! Take a FISH van and drive to some of our great partners to pick up food they wish to donate. This job does require lifting and you must have a clean driving record and be 24 years or older. Teams of two are encouraged!

Location

The Elmview building, 804 Elmview Rd, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hours

Shifts are 1.5 hours long, 9:00 am – 10:30 pm

Duties

• Drive to various locations throughout Ellensburg

• Access the backs of stores and restaurants to pick up groceries from specific locations

• Record information about the weight of donations by store and department

• Store food in coolers or give to Pantry Stockers to fill the pantry

Requirements

• Ability to stand and move about for 1.5 hours

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and place in a van or on a cart/scale

• Friendly smile and attitude

• Ability to work both alone and in a team

• Treat all customers, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

Grocery Guide See Details Show Less

Customers who come into the pantry see a lot of people, but they interact with one – you! Help clients through the pantry and let them know what’s available today. Enjoy the company of your team. You do need to be able to move about for 2.5 hours. Spanish language skills a plus!

Location

The Elmview building, 804 Elmview Rd, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hours

Shifts are 2.5 hours long M-Th 1:30 pm – 4 pm, F 9:00 am – 11:30 am, 2nd Sat 9:00 am – 11:30 am.

Duties

• Help customers through the pantry during food distribution

• Be knowledgeable about the offerings and help customers to know what they can take

• Be able to stay to the end of the shift even if there aren’t any customers

Requirements

• Ability to stand and move on your feet for 2.5hours

• Friendly smile and firm attitude

• Ability to work both alone and in a team

• Treat all customers, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

SEASONAL May – October - Ellensburg Farmers Market Gleaner See Details Show Less

Farmers Market Gleaners help recover fresh local food from the end of the Farmers Market to the pantry. Volunteers must be able to drive their own vehicle or a FISH van. Shifts are about 2 to 2.5 hours. Spanish language skills a plus!

Location

Ellensburg Farmers Market, 4th Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hours

Shifts are about 2-2.5 hours long on Saturdays during the Market Season from May to October. Ideally, volunteers will help once or twice a month.

Duties

Gleaners bring back food from the end of the market and back to FISH’s warehouse.
Be able to lift heavy boxes of food up to 40 lbs.
Be able to drive their own vehicle or FISH van.
Be flexible in case gleaning takes shorter or longer than expected
Perks: Volunteers are welcome to take some of the glean home with them.

Requirements

Ability to stand and move on your feet for 2.5 hours
Friendly smile and firm attitude
Ability to work both alone and in a team
Treat all vendors, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

SEASONAL May – November - Backyard Gleaner See Details Show Less

Location

Local Community member backyards within Kittitas County, locations upon request. Contact gleaning@kvfish.org for more info.

Hours

Shifts are 2 hours and scheduled at least week in advance. Most gleans will be held from August to October

Duties

Harvest and sort produce from local gardens! Apples, pears, apricots, etc.
Must have transportation to the gleaning location.
Must be able to tolerate outdoor weather conditions such as heat and cold.
Wear weather appropriate clothing
Perks: volunteers are welcome to take some of the glean home with them.

Requirements

Ability to stand and move on your feet for a maximum of two hours.
Friendly smile and firm attitude
Ability to work both alone and in a team
Treat all homeowners, volunteers, and staff with dignity and respect

How to Become a Volunteer

Complete the Volunteer Application

You can either download the form below and return it to FISH or use the online form provided. You do not need to do both. If you choose to download and return a paper form, please either scan it and email it to volunteering@kvfish.org or bring it to 804 Elmview Road, Ellensburg Washington.

Download here:

Volunteer Application Packet

Or fill out this form.

Fill Out a Background Check Form

You will receive a Background Check Form from Verified First and Friends in Service to Humanity via email and/or text. Please fill out this form to begin the mandatory background check. Please be aware that a theft or assault charge will disqualify you from volunteering at FISH. Please see the Handbook for more information about background checks.

Attend a Volunteer Orientation

After you clear the background check, we will contact you about attending a Volunteer Orientation.