Shelter Volunteer Guidelines

Please sign up through the MealTrain site: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/k4w5gd

• Be over 21 and able-bodied
• Sign a CORI release. (Criminal Offender Record Information)
• Complete shelter safety training prior to the first shift
• Maintain confidentiality regarding the guests
• Follow CDC guidelines related to cleanliness and meal serving
• Wear appropriate clothing. We recommend wearing warm, comfortable clothing and flat, closed-toed shoes. Please do not wear scarves, necklaces or revealing clothing.
• Sign up for shifts through the MealTrain site and provide your contact details, including an email and phone number.

• Check in and introduce yourself to FBMS Staff at 4:45pm at the scheduled shelter location. Plan to remain until all the guests are settled for the evening, and the kitchen area is clean, about 7:30pm.
• Locate the Overnights of Hospitality notebook in the kitchen area for that site. Inside there is a checklist to help you review the tasks that need to be done nightly by the evening volunteer, including going through the supplies checklist and notifying the supplies coordinator if supplies are needed.
• Start the coffee, put out coffee supplies, and snacks if available.
• Confirm availability of breakfast/snack supplies. A Stop & Shop Gift Card will be available to purchase items, if needed.
• Check supplies:
  • Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Equal, Coffee Filters, Creamer (1/2 and 1/2) 
  • Adequate paper goods, toilet paper, cleaning supplies 
  • Cots, pillows, linens, blankets
  • Socks, warm clothing, etc.  If available. Notify: Keith Palmer (774-946-5387) if supplies needed. 
• While FBMS staff conduct check-in, assist the guests to settle in
  • Fr. Bill's Staff will introduce volunteer support person to new guest
  • Volunteer will help locate available cot and provide pillow, blanket, and reusable bag, if needed, for personal items.  Note that at the Christ Church site, a bag labeled with the guest's name is needed because all bedding and personal belongings will be place in the supply closet in the morning due to another group using the space during the day. 
  • Show guest location of appropriate restroom
  • Ask if guest has any urgent clothing or personal hygiene needs, which volunteer may provide from supply area. 
• Assist the meal providers with bringing meals into kitchen and serving dinner if needed. If meal providers arrive with minors, notify the Fr. Bill’s staff person who will speak to them about our policy that no one is allowed to volunteer who is under 18. Notify Connie that this has occurred.
• Ask Fr. Bill’s staff if any guests are expected to arrive late. If so, set aside a meal for each person and place it in refrigerator.
• Assist with clean-up once the meal is over.
• Be friendly and available to engage with guests if they appear to want to talk. Guests may want to keep to themselves, and that’s ok too.
• Report any unusual or concerning guest behavior to FBMS staff and feel free to take any questions to staff at any time.
• On rare occasions, you may be asked by FBMS staff to go to another location or to a store to access supplies.

•  If an emergency arises which prevents volunteer from serving, the volunteer should immediately contact the overnights coordinator (Connie – 508.367.0516).
• Any issues that arise during the evening should be discussed with the FBMS staff person, who will make the decision about how the problem is handled.
• If there is a blood or bodily fluid spill, refer to the FBMS staff person who will follow OSHA guidelines for cleaning. An OSHA approved cleanup and First Aid kit are at each site.
• Do not share personal information, your phone number or give money or rides to guests. Do not connect with guests via social media. If you are asked to do any of these things, discretely report it to FBMS staff person.
• We encourage volunteers to share the evening meal and visit with our guests before, during and after dinner. Many of our guests don’t have the opportunity to engage in conversations during the day and may need someone to listen to them.
• Check with the FBMS staff person to see if anything else is needed before leaving.