Thank you for serving at the Rescue Mission
Welcome Volunteers
Why Serve at the Rescue
Mission?
Jesus is in the line tonight...
Before you begin your time of volunteer
service at the Rescue Mission we would
like for you to take a moment and
consider why you have come, what you
will be doing and who you will be serving.
At the Mission, we believe if you have a
“willing heart” you can be a successful
Rescue Mission volunteer.
We ask that your volunteer work at the
Rescue Mission be done grace-fully. The
folks we serve have experienced many
hardships and so some of the most
important gifts volunteers can bring are
smiles and encouraging words.
Because we are “home” to literally
hundreds of people in crisis there are
some basic rules we all follow in order to
Dress Code
Close toed, rubber soled
shoes - TENNIS SHOES ARE
BEST. NO SANDALS, CLOGS OR
FLIP-FLOPS ALLOWED.
Modest attire is required:
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke Pantry Services
421 4th Street, SE Roanoke, VA 24013 (Thrift Store Basement)
Volunteer Coordinator: Marian McConnell
[email protected] 540-777-7651
TYPICAL ACTIVITIES & CREW SIZES: Sorting, cleaning, inventory, box making Mon, Tues, Thurs, or Fri from 9am-12noon. Mission Manna Box Assembly, &
Distribution: Saturdays from 7:30-10:30am (16-20 volunteers needed). In addition,
4 volunteers to help in the Thrift Store at the same time are needed.
make sure the Mission remains a safe
place. Please pay special attention to the
policies and procedures, wear
appropriate clothing, and let your words,
actions and demeanor reflect an attitude
of respect and kindness.
Keeping appropriate boundaries is
essential. Some of our guests may not be
able to express their appreciation for
your service, but at some level they all
appreciate the gift of your time. Guests
of the Rescue Mission are in violation of
Mission policy if they accept gifts of any
kind or special treatment from
volunteers. Anything beyond a normal,
friendly working relationship is not
appropriate.
4. Pants and skirts must be of
modest length— NO SHORT
SHORTS!
5. Underwear may not be intentionally showing.
Best not to bring purses, but we
have lockers if you do. Please do
not use cell phones during your
time of service so you may focus
on our guests.
Thank you!
Almost every Mission volunteer tells us
they feel as if they received more than
they gave at the conclusion of their
volunteer service. We understand this
response and see the ability to serve
here as a privilege. Thank you for
giving your time, your prayers and your
energy to this ministry. When you leave
we hope the knowledge that you have
helped make mission possible one
more day is a blessing to you.
Pantry Volunteer FAQ—Rescue Mission of Roanoke
Where can I park? Some lots say restricted?
Parking Lot E or the Thrift Store lots are
preferred if spaces are open. The Thrift Store
lot will close at 5pm, so please do not park in
that lot after 5pm.
1. Shirts must have a sleeve—NO
Where do I start?
TANK TOPS or SPAGHETTI
STRAPS!
Please report to the basement of the Thrift Store
2. T-shirts must reflect a positive by going down the alleyway hill to the right of
image. No reference to alco- the donation dock.
hol, drugs or vulgar language. What will I be doing? You may be assigned
3. Shirts must able to be tucked
into to pants.
Please seek out a staff member if you
have any question about anything that
happens on your volunteer service
assignment. Staff members can be
identified by their photo ID badge
which will have the Rescue Mission
logo and without a red stripe.
one or more of the following tasks: the food
box assembly line, scanning station, helping put
the boxes in cars, cleaning, sorting, or
inventory. The Pantry staff will assign your
task based on the needs. At the end of the
volunteer time, you will be asked to help clean
all areas. Please stay to help do this—we need
you!
Volunteers under age 14 must be under the
supervision of a parent or leader with a ratio of
1 adult : 5 youth.
Please do not eat food while you are in any area
of the pantry, as this is a health code violation .
A time for you to eat a meal in the dining room
will be provided for you at the direction of the
pantry staff if you wish to
Can I just show up? Always schedule your time
before you come. That way, we have just the right
amount of volunteers for the task.
If I want to bring a friend, is that okay?
Maybe. Please call Marian at 540-777-7651, to ask.
We want to ensure everyone has a job because we
do not want to misuse your time.
Do I have to sign in? Yes. We want to keep a
record of your time every time you volunteer. Staff
will show you where to sign in.
What if I cannot come? Please let Marian
McConnell know @ 777-7651 as soon as possible.
Remember, we need you. You have been
scheduled in a volunteer position that will not be
offered to others unless you cancel. If you cannot
come, we want to find someone to replace you.
I don’t know a lot about the Rescue Mission.
How can I find out more? Every Monday at
noon, is “Meet Me at the Mission.” - a 1 1/2 hour
tour of the Rescue Mission and includes lunch.
Also, check out our website at
www.rescuemission.net.