Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Volunteer Opportunities

Head Cooks coordinate the meal for the day. Head Cooks arrive around 7:00am to get everything ready for the cooks, and can usually leave around 12:30pm. Head Cooks must be able to cook for as many as 200 people. All supplies and ingredients are provided for the meal.

Cooks prepare the meal for the clients. One head cook is in charge of the meal and the other cooks assist with the preparations. Cooks arrive at 7:00am and usually leave at 10:00am.

Drivers are needed to pick up donations and deliver them to the Hospitality Center. It is best if the driver has a large vehicle or a truck to transport the donations. All volunteer drivers must be pre-approved to drive. Mileage expenses are reimbursable. 

Servers arrive at 10:00am to serve the meal. Lunch is served from 10:30am to 12:30pm. After the meal is served servers help clean and are usually done by 1:00pm.

Case Aids Case Aids are responsible for assisting with the duties of the Case Managers in providing Case Management services to clients. They are also responsible for client phone calls and scheduling appointments as needed. Volunteers are needed in both Port Arthur and Beaumont.

Greeters Greeters are used when scheduled visits are made to intake sites. Their responsibilities include ensuring that all clients sign-in, providing information regarding the process, and crowd control.

Data Entry Specialist Data Entry Specialists will assist the Case Managers and Case Aids with data entry in the program database.

Phone Volunteer Phone Volunteer will assist the Case Aids with answering phone calls and listening to and forwarding on voice mail messages.

Spanish Interpreter Spanish Interpreter will assist the Disaster Response program with interpreting for Spanish speaking clients and if necessary translating documents into Spanish.

Vietnamese Interpreter Vietnamese Interpreter will assist the Disaster Response program with interpreting for Vietnamese speaking clients and if necessary translating documents into Vietnamese. Volunteers are needed in Port Arthur.

Disaster Response Disaster Response Volunteers are used in different capacities immediately before and after a disaster strikes. Volunteers will assist with tasks depending on the scope of the disaster and the availability of the volunteers. Trainings will be held periodically to prepare Disaster Response Volunteers to respond to different situations.

Research Specialist Research Specialist Volunteers are needed to assist the Case Managers in researching different topics of interest. This can be done at home or at the volunteer’s convenience.

Volunteer Facilitators Volunteer Facilitators facilitate activities and discussions within the different groups who attend Elijah’s Place. Volunteer Facilitators are required to take a 20-hour training that is held twice a year.

Licensed Facilitator Licensed Facilitator is the on-site clinical leader and supervisor for Volunteer Facilitation on group nights. The Licensed Facilitator will provide pre- and post-group briefings and will be available to Volunteer Facilitators during group meetings. The Licensed Facilitator must have a master’s degree and state licensure appropriate to their degree in social work, psychology, or education. Licensed Facilitators are required to take a 20-hour training that is held twice a year.

Kitchen Volunteers Kitchen Volunteers help set up for the potluck dinner that is held before the Elijah’s Place group meets. Kitchen volunteers also make sure things run smoothly during dinner and help clean and straighten up after the kids go to group.

Clerical Support Clerical Support Volunteer is needed to assist with different tasks around the office. Volunteers need to be bilingual, preferably with Spanish and English.

Client Advocates Complete intakes and re-certifications with clients, administer client satisfaction surveys and food security surveys, Collect information from clients about their preferences and desired products and convey this information to program director, and Assist Program Director with elements of case management.

Shopping Assistants Help guide clients through the pantry and assist clients with locating products, Point-out healthier options and any new items or bundles, Collect information from clients about their preferences, and desired products and convey this information to Program Director.

Checkers/Baggers Review clients’ selections to ensure they meet eligibility guidelines (i.e. number of items per household), Enter clients’ chosen items into program software (point-of-sale) system, Bag clients’ groceries.

Carriers/Runners Assist clients with carrying groceries to vehicle and returning baskets to pantry, Assist checkers with needed items (ex. additional grocery bags or other supplies).

Market and Warehouse Assistants Assist operations manager with conducting inventory of products, help with unloading deliveries and stocking warehouse shelves, sorting donated food product, and stocking pantry shelves.

Drivers Pick up products from the Southeast Texas Food Bank or local retailers.

Kit Packers Assemble specialty kits as needed (emergency, seniors, children, homeless, etc.)

Receptionist Welcome and check-in clients, Answer telephone.

Clerical Assistants Provide clerical support with filing and data entry.

Various Various day to day activities can include activities such as stuffing envelopes, folding brochures, greeting guests, answering phones, or helping staff with clerical work.

General Ground & Building Maintenance General Ground & Building Maintenance Volunteers are needed to assist with minor tasks around the Central Service Facility.