In order to take necessary precaution with the growing COVID-19 concern, we are suspending all in-house volunteer activities until further notice to limit the foot traffic in and out of our facilities. While we greatly appreciate your time and resources, the health of our volunteers, Guests, and staff are the top priority.
During this time, we are accepting prepared meals, catered meals, grocery donations, non-perishable goods, and monetary donations. Volunteers are to refrain from cooking inside our facilities. The best ways to continue supporting LPCS at this time are to:
1) Sign up to donate a meal (please email volunteer@lpcschicago.org to do so during this time).
2) If you are already on the meal schedule, please drop off your prepared meal on your schedule date. If this is no longer possible, please let me know!
3) If you would like to make a monetary donation to help cover the cost of meals during this time, you can do so here.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. LPCS is truly a community-based organization and we are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our generous volunteer base. Thank you!
how to help
At this time, any volunteer opportunities will not be taking place at our facility. Below are a few ways to continue to stay involved during this time!
- To sign up for a meal/sack lunch shift, please email volunteer@lpcschicago.org. All meals will need to be prepared at home or catered.
- When you prepare food at home, please only make food if you are feeling well.
- Please be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before you prepare the meal.
- There are several items that we are in need of right now. You can check out our Amazon Wish List or our list under “Needed Items”.
- If you would like to make a monetary donation to help cover the cost of meals during this time, you can do so here.
We will notify the volunteer community immediately should we encounter a coronavirus case at LPCS.
We thank you so much for your support during this time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at volunteer@lpcschicago.org if you have any questions.
If you would like to make a food donation, please call us at 773-549-6111 or email us at volunteer@lpcschicago.org. We are so grateful for your support during this time.
Volunteer
Volunteers are the life line of our organization; we couldn’t serve over 500 individuals a year without our network of over 1,700 active volunteers. There is a volunteer at LPCS in some capacity 24 hours, 7 days a week! In 2019, LPCS expanded our services with two locations, creating plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involve.
To get started, please fill out our application form, and attend a volunteer orientation. Please note you must be 18 years or older to volunteer at LPCS, however children of any age are welcome to accompany meal groups with the supervision of a parent or guardian. Upcoming orientation dates are listed below. For more information on individual and group volunteer opportunities email us at volunteer@lpcsonline.org.
Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
• Front desk attendant
• Overnight Supervision
• Teaching a class or activity
• Preparing and serving a meal
• Work one-on-one with a Guest
Upcoming Volunteer Orientations (Takes place at 1521 N. Sedgwick)
In order to limit the amount of people coming in and out of our building, we have cancelled all volunteer orientations until further notice. We hope to have them up and running again shortly!
Due to organization policy, court ordered hours can only occur at our 1521 N. Sedgwick location.
Cooking Meals at LPCS
We encourage a healthy variety of meals for the Guests at Lincoln Park Community Services. For every meal opportunity at LPCS, volunteers are responsible for planning a meal, purchasing ingredients and preparing the food, either at home or in the LPCS kitchen. We have a fully equipped kitchen with all necessary cookware, service ware, and basic spices and oils.
Only one group representative needs to fill out an application and attend an orientation. To volunteer to prepare a meal and for more details, including Guest dietary restrictions, email volunteer@lpcschicago.org.
Breakfast
Breakfast volunteers cooking and serving Monday through Friday arrive at 6:30 a.m. and serve at 7:30 a.m. Sunday breakfast volunteers arrive at 7:30 a.m. and served an hour later. As with all meal shifts at LPCS, when you sign up for a breakfast shift, you are responsible for the entire meal (planning, purchasing groceries, and cooking either at home or in our kitchen). You should plan to bring however many friends, family, or colleagues that you will need to help you prepare and serve the meal. Plan to serve approximately 20-25 Guests. The average cost is $50-$75 (on average 3-5 volunteers)
Hot Lunch
We have Hot Lunch opportunities every day of the week – groups usually arrive at 11:45 and serve at 1:00. Lunch can be served plated or buffet based on preference. Plan to serve about 25 Guests. The average cost is $75-$125. (on average 5-7 volunteers)
Sack Lunch
Sack Lunches are provided for guests who leave LPCS during the day for work, school, or important appointments. This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to give back to their community. Sack lunch volunteers prepare 35-40 bagged lunches off site and drop them off at LPCS by 8 p.m. on the date they signed up for. Sack Lunches usually include a sandwich/wrap and things like fruit, chips/crackers, cheese, granola bars, trail mix, an optional dessert, and a beverage. The average cost is $50-$75.
Dinner
Dinner is served 7 nights a week with volunteer groups preparing a delicious and healthy meal for 35-50 individuals. Dinner volunteers arrive around 6 p.m. to begin cooking and serve at 7:30 p.m. The average cost is $200. Cooking dinner is the most popular volunteer opportunity at LPCS so we encourage signing up 6-8 weeks in advance.
Dietary Restrictions
Some of our Guests at each facility do have dietary restrictions, and we want to always stay mindful of that! An updated list of dietary restrictions (as well as the current Guest count) will be provided through email 7 days before your meal. There are typically several Guests that are vegetarian, 1-2 vegans, and a few Guests that don’t eat pork. You will receive an exact count before you arrive, but that is typically the types of restrictions we see!
Check out what volunteers have been cooking lately:
In-Kind Donations
We rely on the generous support of our community members and neighbors to be able to serve our Guests, Graduates and community clients. This support often comes in the form of in-kind donations. If you have questions or would like to make a donation please contact us at volunteer@lpcschicago.org for information and/or to schedule a drop off.
At this time we are unable to pick up donations.
We a
In-Kind Donations
We rely on the generous support of our community members and neighbors to be able to serve our Guests, Graduates and community clients. This support often comes in the form of in-kind donations. If you have questions or would like to make a donation, please contact us at volunteer@lpcschicago.org for information and/or to schedule a drop off.
At this time we are unable to pick up donations.
We are currently in need of the following items:
- Head Thermometers (Preferably forehead or wands/no touch)
- Hand sanitizers (both large and individual small bottles)
- Water bottles
- Alcohol pads
- Disinfectant wipes
- Kleenex (both big boxes and individual packs)
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Laundry detergent pods
- Nonperishable food items
- New bedding (sheets, blankets, pillow cases) for twin size mattresses
Our needs are constantly changing and our storage space is limited. Check out our Amazon Wishlist for our most current needs. On our Amazon Wishlist you can purchase items needed and they will be shipped directly to us. Click here to see what we need right now!
Corporate Matching
Matching gifts are a great way to increase your donation to LPCS! Reach out to your Human Resources department to receive the matching gift form to submit with your gift during the same year in which your gift was made. LPCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all matched gifts are tax deductible. Use the form to below to see if your company matches charitable donations!
English
Español
