Meal Team/Overnight Details

Meal teams prepare the food ahead of time and bring it to the shelter to warm and serve.  They arrive at the shelter between 5:30 and 5:45.  The shelter opens at 6:00, at which time the meal team puts out drinks and appetizers.  The main meal is served at about 6:30.  Each meal includes an appetizer, drinks (usually fruit juices or soda), one or more main dishes, bread, salad or vegetables, and dessert.

At about 7:30  one or more student volunteers from Smith College arrive and relieve the meal team.  The Smith students finish any meal cleanup, and assist the ServiceNet staff person in charge of the shelter that evening with various jobs. During college breaks, at least one of the meal team must stay until 9:00 when the overnight volunteer arrives, to provide backup for the ServiceNet staff member.

At about 9:00, the overnight volunteer arrives.  This person assists with end-of-the-evening activities.  The following morning, they prepare breakfast and clean up the kitchen.  The shelter closes at 7:00 a.m., which is when the volunteer leaves.