Over the last two years, Second Helpings wasn’t able to host as many, or as large, volunteer groups as we had pre-pandemic due to social distancing requirements.

A volunteer group from Beazer Homes prepares sandwiches for Second Helpings’ partner agencies.

This summer Second Helpings excitedly started offering group volunteer opportunities at our full capacity again, up to 10 people at a time, during every shift:

  • Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Monday – Friday, 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Tuesday, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Volunteer groups can sign up here.

“The people power provided by volunteer groups makes a huge difference for the Hunger Relief kitchen,” explains Hunger Relief Manager Caitlin Bartnik. “Depending on the day and shift a group comes to Second Helpings, the tasks they perform may vary, but the immense boost groups provide to our productivity helps make our work possible. For example, we are currently preparing approximately 1,100 sandwiches a day. That takes about 11 people working together over 4 hours to assemble and wrap sandwiches for our partner agencies.”

First Course members chop produce in the Hunger Relief kitchen.

Another task where groups really impact Second Helpings’ capabilities is processing produce. The majority of food we receive is donated, and therefore, unpredictable. “When it rains vegetables, here, it pours vegetables,” Bartnik says. “If you’ve ever had produce go bad in your fridge before you can use it, you know how upsetting that is and how fast produce can turn. A group of volunteers can knock out an amazing volume of vegetables in a 4-hour shift. We use more than 400 pounds of vegetables a day. That takes a lot of washing, dicing, seasoning, and roasting!”

Families and Youth Groups

We also offer volunteer opportunities for families and youth groups, up to 10 people, with children ages 5-15 (along with parents or chaperones). These opportunities are offered two Tuesday evenings each month, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM, with hands-on tasks that directly impact Second Helpings’ daily operations. Families and youth groups can sign up here.

While volunteer groups certainly support Second Helpings’ operations, volunteering also provides a variety of benefits to the volunteers themselves – whether that be recording service hours required for school or civic groups, engaging employees outside of the workplace, or connecting with other community-minded Hoosiers around the kitchen.

“One of my favorite aspects of groups is the opportunity to introduce Second Helpings to new people,” shares Bartnik. “Those new people often become regular volunteers! That’s so wonderful and I appreciate everyone who shares their time and skills with us.”