By: Heather Newgen
Project Angel Food is one of the most popular organizations to volunteer with in Los Angeles and after spending a day with them I understand why. The nonprofit, which makes and delivers free meals for those with life threatening illnesses like HIV, cancer and kidney failure, has an incredibly well-organized and efficient volunteer program that can accommodate individual volunteers or groups who want to give back.
Organization: Project Angel Food | Location: Hollywood | Price: Free to volunteer
Heather Newgen and volunteers at Project Angel Food
Photo By: Aaron Zimmerman
Most volunteers will work in the kitchen helping the chefs with a variety of projects like chopping vegetables, which is what I did, cooking, baking, mixing and packaging up meals. But don’t worry, if you can’t cook, which I can’t, there’s something for you to do in the kitchen where you’ll be helping and making a difference.
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For those who prefer to work in other areas of Project Food Angel, you can request to be placed in the office where you’ll assist with essential tasks like photocopying, data entry and mailings.
Heather Newgen making friends at Project Angel Food
Photo By: Aaron Zimmerman
Project Angel Food heavily relies on volunteers and without them the organization wouldn’t be able to serve their clients who desperately depend on the nutritional meals the nonprofit provides at no cost.
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Aaron Zimmerman, Carol Marshall, Heather Newgen and Cynthia Raza having fun volunteering at Project Angel Food
An estimated 11,000 healthy meals are made each week at Project Angel Food and more than 11 million meals have been cooked and delivered to date, which couldn’t be done without the help of volunteers.
What I loved about Project Angel Food is that anyone from the age of 14 can volunteer, you don’t need special skills, it’s a really fun, positive environment where volunteers are valued, cleanliness is a high priority–the kitchen is sparkling, there are strict sanitary guidelines everyone must follow and you really do make a positive impact in the community. Because of volunteers, people with serious health issues don’t have to worry about how they’re going to grocery shop or cook, instead they can focus on healing.
Project Angel Food and its fleet of do-gooders instill hope, love and comfort for thousands daily. It’s a beautiful place to be a part of and I can’t recommend it enough.
Heather Newgen and other volunteers in orientation at Project Angel Food
Photo By: Aaron Zimmerman
Tips: Volunteers must arrive promptly at 8:00am for Project Angel Food orientation, your shift is over at 12:30pm, maybe even sooner if all duties are finished, there’s a free parking lot in the back of the building, volunteer slots are usually full on Fridays so reserve in advance if you want to work on that day, and hairnets, gloves and aprons are required at all times in the kitchen area. All will be provided upon arrival.