Volunteering as a Group or Community
Volunteering as a Group or Community
WLP is fortunate to receive a great deal of support from individuals in the community. We are always in need of meals, clothing, toiletries, and birthday/holiday gifts. These contributions help WLP substantially by defraying our operating costs and allowing us to provide services of the highest quality. We always welcome the opportunity to build new relationships. Below, you'll find lots of ideas of how to get involved whether you are a class of students, a group of neighbors or congregants or members of a club. If you would like to support any of these projects, or discuss another idea with us, please feel free to contact a member of our volunteer staff.
Meal donation
Are you planning a community-service day in your school or workplace? Why not prepare a meal to donate to WLP? Please contact our Volunteer Manager for more details.
Please note that we are able to accept meal donations on either an ongoing or a one-time basis. Groups must be willing to prepare food for 130 people, and arrangements must be made ahead of time. Due to Board of Health regulations, we are unable to accept food items that have already been opened or served. Side dishes and baked goods are also welcome!
Community spotlight: As part of its young-adult education program, members of Temple Beth Elohim's Cooking for a Cause class learn the importance of helping others by preparing meals for WLP each month. Students work together to prepare delicious lasagna, chop suey, and chocolate chip cookies. During the holiday season, students also donate special treats and gift bags for WLP guests. The synagogue keeps baskets in its entryway to make it easy for congregants to drop off canned goods and toiletries to donate to WLP.
Onsite Meal Preparation
WLP enjoys standing relationships with several catering groups, which make an ongoing commitment to sponsor and prepare meals for WLP guests onsite. We ask groups to commit to preparing at least 5 meals a year. We are able to accommodate up to 5 participants in each group. If you are interested in starting a catering group, please contact us for more information.
Community spotlight: WLP guests eagerly anticipate the first Thursday of each month: Hamburger Day. Since 1984, the Hamburger Ladies, a moniker lovingly assigned to members of the First Unitarian Society in Newton, have been strong supporters of WLP's meals program. In its early days, the group prepared meals offsite and delivered them to WLP. However, a beef stew recipe gone awry caused to purchase hamburger meat and prepare the meal at WLP instead. It was a huge hit with the guests, and so began a tradition that spans more than two decades.
Toiletry and Clothing Drives
WLP is always in need of gently worn clothing and personal care items such as shampoo, deodorant, undergarments, socks, and seasonal wear. Volunteers can organize drives for these, and other items, in their workplace, school, dorm, or neighborhood. Please contact our Volunteer Manager for more information. To learn more about our in-kind needs, click here.
Community spotlight: Students from the Jewish Community Day School in Watertown understand the importance of helping others. The school supports WLP in a number of ways: each winter, the school organizes a community-wide coat drive for our guests. In the spring, students prepare and deliver fruit baskets to our guests. Several classes have also taken on individual projects; one class hosted a canned goods drive, and another donated proceeds from a bake sale to purchase deodorant and underwear.
Birthday gifts and other donations
On the fourth Friday of every month, WLP hosts a community-wide birthday celebration. The party includes a cake and birthday gifts for our guests. Guests eagerly await their turn each year since, for many, this is the only acknowledgment they receive. WLP is always in need of donations to support this important program. Popular gift items include: cosmetic kits, costume jewelry, slippers, seasonal items such as hat and glove sets or umbrellas, and hair products and accessories. We also distribute gifts on Mother's Day and during the winter holidays. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting this program.
Community spotlight: Sweet Tooth Bakery of Boston generously donates a delicious cake.
Support our card campaigns
The Women's Lunch Place is well-known for its winter holiday and Mother's Day card campaigns. Each year, we feature a card that is designed by a WLP guest. If donors so choose, WLP will inscribe the card(s) with his/her personal message, and mail card(s) to the intended recipient(s). Volunteers are needed to help with this tremendous undertaking. We are able to accommodate individual volunteers in our office, or to work with groups at your home or workplace
Community spotlight: In an effort to raise awareness about WLP and to support our card campaign, two volunteers hosted a card-writing party in their home. Attendees helped filled out cards, and purchased some for themselves. Amidst the fun and laughter, they learned about us and the work that we do.
Classes and activities: WLP aims to provide guests with a diverse array of programs and activities. These opportunities enrich guests' lives greatly by taking them beyond their daily struggles and allowing them to explore their creative channels. Our current range of classes includes: yoga, knitting, short-story writing and painting. All of these classes are led by interns and volunteers. Please let us know if you are interested in leading a class or activity!
Community Highlights: Throughout the school year, students from the Winsor School in Boston run special activities for WLP guests, the most popular being jewelry making. Students took jewelry-making classes to prepare for this special activity. They also found a vendor who was willing to provide the supplies at a reduced cost. The guests look forward to spending time with this young and enthusiastic group of people.
Community Highlights:The Women's Lunch Place receives a great deal of support from Holland and Knight, LLP. In an effort to expose student interns to the Women's Lunch Place community, the firm sponsored an indoor carnival at the shelter. Students made cotton candy, supervised games, and distributed prizes to guests.
We love students
Please note that WLP is committed to working with students of all ages. While we are only able to accommodate groups of up to six people (including a leader) in the shelter, there are several ways for individuals to support our work from the campus or the classroom. Our staff is always willing to come speak to your classroom, community, or workplace about the importance of our work.
Group volunteers share a wonderful team experience.
Working together gets things done faster and is also a lot more fun.