Volunteer: Dinner at the Night Shelter
We consider the Night Shelter to be an opportunity to connect with our city’s most vulnerable and get them into permanent housing solutions as quickly as possible. Data has long supported the idea that once basic needs of food, shelter, and safety are met, individuals are better able to address more abstract goals like stabilizing physical and mental health, employment, and building community. Our goal is to provide a warm bed, safe from the elements, for those experiencing homelessness to spend the night. Knowing that we all sleep better with a full tummy, we want to provide dinner as often as possible to ensure a good night's rest for our guests. The following information will help you plan, prepare, and serve your meal.
Meal Preparation Guidelines: We have a simple prep kitchen at the Night Shelter, so meals must be prepared offsite in advance and ready to serve when you arrive. Plan on feeding at least 140 hungry guests. We do see an increase in numbers during inclement weather, so if possible, it’s always good to prepare extra. No food is ever wasted. If it doesn’t get used at dinner, we will freeze the leftovers for emergency meals. When preparing a meal, think in terms of nutritious and substantial foods that include the following: Main Dish (example: lasagna, soup, chicken, casserole), Vegetable (example: green beans, carrots, salad, broccoli), Starch (example: dinner rolls, garlic bread, baked potato), Dessert (example: cobbler, brownie, apple pie)-Include a few Vegetarian-Friendly meals (example: black beans and rice, pasta) Scheduling and Delivery Arrive at 5:30 pm to set up Dinner service starts at 6:00 pm Plan on at least three to five volunteers to serve your meal. When you arrive, check in with the front desk staff. We understand that things come up due to inclement weather, sickness, or emergencies, and your group may not be able to serve your scheduled meal as planned. Our guests count on these meals, so we ask that you consider a backup plan if such circumstances arise. Some alternatives would be ordering pizza, or tacos, dropping off dinner with the staff, etc. Kitchen Food Safety and Sanitation Standards Gloves must be worn during preparation and serving. Proper cleaning and sanitation of kitchen surfaces, utensils, and appliances before and after use. Start with Yes While serving dinner, guests may ask you to heat up their personal food in the microwave or request hot water, etc. We like accommodating these requests and saying "Yes!" as much as possible, but when in doubt, you can always direct them to a staff member.
Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter
We consider the Night Shelter to be an opportunity to connect with our city’s most vulnerable and get them into permanent housing solutions as quickly as possible. Data has long supported the idea that once basic needs of food, shelter, and safety are met, individuals are better able to address more abstract goals like stabilizing physical and mental health, employment, and building community. Our goal is to provide a warm bed, safe from the elements, for those experiencing homelessness to spend the night. Knowing that we all sleep better with a full tummy, we want to provide dinner as often as possible to ensure a good night's rest for our guests. The following information will help you plan, prepare, and serve your meal.
Meal Preparation Guidelines: We have a simple prep kitchen at the Night Shelter, so meals must be prepared offsite in advance and ready to serve when you arrive. Plan on feeding at least 140 hungry guests. We do see an increase in numbers during inclement weather, so if possible, it’s always good to prepare extra. No food is ever wasted. If it doesn’t get used at dinner, we will freeze the leftovers for emergency meals. When preparing a meal, think in terms of nutritious and substantial foods that include the following: Main Dish (example: lasagna, soup, chicken, casserole), Vegetable (example: green beans, carrots, salad, broccoli), Starch (example: dinner rolls, garlic bread, baked potato), Dessert (example: cobbler, brownie, apple pie)-Include a few Vegetarian-Friendly meals (example: black beans and rice, pasta) Scheduling and Delivery Arrive at 5:30 pm to set up Dinner service starts at 6:00 pm Plan on at least three to five volunteers to serve your meal. When you arrive, check in with the front desk staff. We understand that things come up due to inclement weather, sickness, or emergencies, and your group may not be able to serve your scheduled meal as planned. Our guests count on these meals, so we ask that you consider a backup plan if such circumstances arise. Some alternatives would be ordering pizza, or tacos, dropping off dinner with the staff, etc. Kitchen Food Safety and Sanitation Standards Gloves must be worn during preparation and serving. Proper cleaning and sanitation of kitchen surfaces, utensils, and appliances before and after use. Start with Yes While serving dinner, guests may ask you to heat up their personal food in the microwave or request hot water, etc. We like accommodating these requests and saying "Yes!" as much as possible, but when in doubt, you can always direct them to a staff member.
Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 73107 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Guest Services & Hospitality (Morning Shift)The goal for volunteers serving in guest services is hospitality and connection. We want to make our guests feel supported as they trust us to take care of their belongings. Volunteers will help with the check-in and check-out, help guests check their belongings in and out of storage, show them to their bunks, launder and prep linens, or serve in the dining area. Our pet hotel ensures our guests that their four-legged friend is well cared for while they get much-needed rest. Volunteers will check pets in, oversee the bathing station for guests to groom their animals, restock food, fill water, and return pets to their correct owners in the morning. All the Details... There is limited parking at The Night Shelter, so volunteers can park next door at The Pershing Center if no spots are available. We have four main hospitality tasks at the Night Shelter: Linens: We supply our guests with fresh linens each day. After guests have checked in, they will get a fresh set of linens on the way to their bed for the evening. Pet Hotel: Night Shelter guests are responsible for ensuring their pets are checked in properly. Volunteers can assist with getting fresh food for guests from the Pet Hotel storage. Storage: Guests can secure their belongings overnight in either family, men’s, or women’s storage. Each guest has a tote or two with their name on it. Guests can identify their storage bins by sharing their first and last names. These totes hold the last precious belongings of our guests. Treating them with care is our goal. City Care Coffee Club: Serving or having coffee with our guests can be one of the best ways to start your day. The City Care Coffee Club is for those who love being awake before sunrise. We are learning as we go, and we appreciate your grace and flexibility as we continue to learn what processes work best for our volunteers and guests. You’ll be assigned a specific task for the shift, but be prepared to jump in to help somewhere else if needed. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter The goal for volunteers serving in guest services is hospitality and connection. We want to make our guests feel supported as they trust us to take care of their belongings. Volunteers will help with the check-in and check-out, help guests check their belongings in and out of storage, show them to their bunks, launder and prep linens, or serve in the dining area. Our pet hotel ensures our guests that their four-legged friend is well cared for while they get much-needed rest. Volunteers will check pets in, oversee the bathing station for guests to groom their animals, restock food, fill water, and return pets to their correct owners in the morning. All the Details... There is limited parking at The Night Shelter, so volunteers can park next door at The Pershing Center if no spots are available. We have four main hospitality tasks at the Night Shelter: Linens: We supply our guests with fresh linens each day. After guests have checked in, they will get a fresh set of linens on the way to their bed for the evening. Pet Hotel: Night Shelter guests are responsible for ensuring their pets are checked in properly. Volunteers can assist with getting fresh food for guests from the Pet Hotel storage. Storage: Guests can secure their belongings overnight in either family, men’s, or women’s storage. Each guest has a tote or two with their name on it. Guests can identify their storage bins by sharing their first and last names. These totes hold the last precious belongings of our guests. Treating them with care is our goal. City Care Coffee Club: Serving or having coffee with our guests can be one of the best ways to start your day. The City Care Coffee Club is for those who love being awake before sunrise. We are learning as we go, and we appreciate your grace and flexibility as we continue to learn what processes work best for our volunteers and guests. You’ll be assigned a specific task for the shift, but be prepared to jump in to help somewhere else if needed. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 73107 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Guest Services + Hospitality (Evening Shift)The goal for volunteers serving in guest services is hospitality and connection. We want to make our guests feel supported as they trust us to take care of their belongings. Volunteers will help with the check-in and check-out, help guests check their belongings in and out of storage, show them to their bunks, launder and prep linens, or serve in the dining area. Our pet hotel ensures our guests that their four-legged friend is well cared for while they get much-needed rest. Volunteers will check pets in, oversee the bathing station for guests to groom their animals, restock food, fill water, and return pets to their correct owners in the morning. All the Details... There is limited parking at The Night Shelter, so volunteers can park next door at The Pershing Center if no spots are available. We have three main hospitality tasks at the Night Shelter: Linens: We supply our guests with fresh linens each day. After guests have checked in, they will get a fresh set of linens on the way to their bed for the evening. Pet Hotel: Night Shelter guests are responsible for ensuring their pets are checked in properly. Volunteers can assist with getting fresh food for guests from the Pet Hotel storage. Storage: Guests can secure their belongings overnight in either family, men’s, or women’s storage. Each guest has a tote or two with their name on it. Guests can identify their storage bins by sharing their first and last names. These totes hold the last precious belongings of our guests. Treating them with care is our goal. We are learning as we go, and we appreciate your grace and flexibility as we continue to learn what processes work best for our volunteers and guests. You’ll be assigned a specific task for the shift, but be prepared to jump in to help somewhere else if needed. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter The goal for volunteers serving in guest services is hospitality and connection. We want to make our guests feel supported as they trust us to take care of their belongings. Volunteers will help with the check-in and check-out, help guests check their belongings in and out of storage, show them to their bunks, launder and prep linens, or serve in the dining area. Our pet hotel ensures our guests that their four-legged friend is well cared for while they get much-needed rest. Volunteers will check pets in, oversee the bathing station for guests to groom their animals, restock food, fill water, and return pets to their correct owners in the morning. All the Details... There is limited parking at The Night Shelter, so volunteers can park next door at The Pershing Center if no spots are available. We have three main hospitality tasks at the Night Shelter: Linens: We supply our guests with fresh linens each day. After guests have checked in, they will get a fresh set of linens on the way to their bed for the evening. Pet Hotel: Night Shelter guests are responsible for ensuring their pets are checked in properly. Volunteers can assist with getting fresh food for guests from the Pet Hotel storage. Storage: Guests can secure their belongings overnight in either family, men’s, or women’s storage. Each guest has a tote or two with their name on it. Guests can identify their storage bins by sharing their first and last names. These totes hold the last precious belongings of our guests. Treating them with care is our goal. We are learning as we go, and we appreciate your grace and flexibility as we continue to learn what processes work best for our volunteers and guests. You’ll be assigned a specific task for the shift, but be prepared to jump in to help somewhere else if needed. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 73107 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Guest Services + Hospitality (Evening Shift)The goal for volunteers serving in guest services is hospitality and connection. We want to make our guests feel supported as they trust us to take care of their belongings. Volunteers will help with the check-in and check-out, help guests check their belongings in and out of storage, show them to their bunks, launder and prep linens, or serve in the dining area. All the Details... We have three main hospitality tasks at the Night Shelter: Linens: We supply our guests with fresh linens each day. After guests have checked in, they will get a fresh set of linens on the way to their bed for the evening. Games with Guests: Our volunteers love spending time with guests at the shelter—whether it’s sharing stories, playing games, or simply offering a listening ear. These moments of connection bring joy, dignity, and a sense of community to everyone involved. Storage: Guests can secure their belongings overnight in either family, men’s, or women’s storage. Each guest has a tote or two with their name on it. Guests can identify their storage bins by sharing their first and last names. These totes hold the last precious belongings of our guests. Treating them with care is our goal. We are learning as we go, and we appreciate your grace and flexibility as we continue to learn what processes work best for our volunteers and guests. You’ll be assigned a specific task for the shift, but be prepared to jump in to help somewhere else if needed. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Program: Homeless Services | Norman Night Shelter The goal for volunteers serving in guest services is hospitality and connection. We want to make our guests feel supported as they trust us to take care of their belongings. Volunteers will help with the check-in and check-out, help guests check their belongings in and out of storage, show them to their bunks, launder and prep linens, or serve in the dining area. All the Details... We have three main hospitality tasks at the Night Shelter: Linens: We supply our guests with fresh linens each day. After guests have checked in, they will get a fresh set of linens on the way to their bed for the evening. Games with Guests: Our volunteers love spending time with guests at the shelter—whether it’s sharing stories, playing games, or simply offering a listening ear. These moments of connection bring joy, dignity, and a sense of community to everyone involved. Storage: Guests can secure their belongings overnight in either family, men’s, or women’s storage. Each guest has a tote or two with their name on it. Guests can identify their storage bins by sharing their first and last names. These totes hold the last precious belongings of our guests. Treating them with care is our goal. We are learning as we go, and we appreciate your grace and flexibility as we continue to learn what processes work best for our volunteers and guests. You’ll be assigned a specific task for the shift, but be prepared to jump in to help somewhere else if needed. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Program: Homeless Services | Norman Night Shelter Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 73069 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Nest by NestYour favorite blanket. Through our Nest by Nest initiative, you can furnish apartments for our neighbors transitioning out of homelessness — ensuring their first night home feels like hope. Program: Housing Navigation Your favorite blanket. Through our Nest by Nest initiative, you can furnish apartments for our neighbors transitioning out of homelessness — ensuring their first night home feels like hope. Program: Housing Navigation Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Zip Code: 73107 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Serve Dinner at the Night Shelter (Meal Provided)Knowing that sleeping on an empty stomach is difficult, we want to provide dinner as often as possible to ensure a good night's rest for our guests. We are grateful to our community partners for an increased number of donated meals to the Night Shelter. On evenings when we have food, we would love for you to join us and serve dinner to our guests. We ask that you provide plates, napkins, and plasticware. Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter Knowing that sleeping on an empty stomach is difficult, we want to provide dinner as often as possible to ensure a good night's rest for our guests. We are grateful to our community partners for an increased number of donated meals to the Night Shelter. On evenings when we have food, we would love for you to join us and serve dinner to our guests. We ask that you provide plates, napkins, and plasticware. Program: Homeless Services | OKC Night Shelter Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 73107 Allow Groups: Yes |