Volunteers needed at the Upper Room

by Heidi Riley

The Upper Room Hospitality Ministry (URHM) is a non-denominational organization focused on serving the community. They address food insecurity by providing a food bank and a soup kitchen, and act as an association for other food banks across PEI. They rely heavily on donations of both food and funds.

“We provide on-going support for individuals facing long-term challenges and temporary aid for those facing life difficulties such as job loss, illness, and unexpected expenses,” says Destinee MacInnis, the first Volunteer Coordinator at the Upper Room. “Life is expensive these days, and we are here for anyone who needs a hand.”

URHM was founded in 1985 with a soup kitchen. Their food bank opened two years later. It is led by a board, a dedicated team, and hundreds of volunteers who help with food drives, fundraisers, and community partnerships.

Destinee is a recent UPEI graduate who studied Psychology and Sociology. “I have worked at not-for-profits since high school, and I am passionate about fostering collaboration, making a meaningful impact, and creating opportunities for individuals to contribute to a shared mission.”

Destinee coordinates volunteer schedules to align with the needs of the organization and serves as a bridge between volunteers and paid staff. “I am committed to providing a positive environment for all our volunteers.”

Volunteers needed

There are various volunteer roles that could fit your skills and schedule.

Soup kitchen volunteer

• Help with preparing and serving food at the soup kitchen
• Daily shifts to cover lunch every day (10 am to 12:30 pm) and supper on weekdays (3 pm to 5 pm)

Special events volunteer

• Assist with food drives, donations, and community events such as the Ys Men’s Food Drive
• Engage with the public and help sort food
• Infrequent volunteering

Food bank volunteer and counter intake/carry out

• Sort, repackage, and organize food donations
• Take out grocery hampers and assist clients (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 am to 12 noon)
• Able to lift up to 30 pounds and stand or walk for two to three hours

Administrative support volunteer

• Register clients, update files, and manage data
• Requires computer skills and client intake experience working with vulnerable clients
• Commitment of 10-15 hours per month

Benefits of volunteering

• Help fight food insecurity in your community
• Provide meals and groceries to those in need
• Be part of a supportive community
• Join a team that values inclusion, diversity, and compassion
• Meet like-minded people and build meaningful connections
• Gain valuable experience
• Develop teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills
• Great for students, retirees, and professionals looking to give back
• Flexible opportunities

“Giving your time makes a real difference in someone’s life,” says Destinee. “Without the help of volunteers, we would not be able to sort through our food and give it out as quickly as we do, because we are only a staff of 10.”