Opportunities From: The Salvation Army of Memphis & the Mid-South

Remember sitting down to a home cooked meal with your family? The laughter, the conversations, and yes, the disagreements... Well, every evening our women and families sit down to their very own family dinner time as well. For some, it's the first time they've sat down as a family, ever. In any case, this special time provides additional bonding between mom and children. And now, you can be a part of this family mealtime as well. 

As a Dinner Engagement Specialist you will help serve meals and have the opportunity to sit down with our families to engage in this special gathering time. If your love language is to serve and talk, we've got just the right way to give your time and talents.  

The Salvation Army Mobile Canteen is a mobile food pantry which feeds those who are hungry and often homeless. Volunteers meet once a week to package good meals for our neighbors in need; all food is provided by the Salvation Army. We meet the morning of to package the meals, then head out in the Mobile Canteen to an in-need community in Memphis to spread nourishment for the body and soul. 

We will meet at the Purdue Center of Hope at various times. 

Once you register for the event a staff member will reach out to ask you to fill out the Volunteer Application Waiver and then ask that you email the completed application to Amy Speropoulos at Amy.Speropoulos@uss.salvationarmy.org. Please note that if you do not complete this prior to volunteering, you will be required to complete it upon arrival. We ask that volunteers dress comfortably and will need to provide their own transportation to the Purdue Center of Hope and to the distribution location of the Canteen from the Purdue Center of Hope. 

Youth ages 15 to 17yo are welcome to assist but, must be with a parent or guardian.

We do allow teams to register but, ask that you reach out to Amy Speropoulos directly in that circumstance.  

Blessing Bags provide the essential items to our most vulnerable neighbors. Items like soap, hand sanitizer, non-perishable snacks, toothpaste, items that seem so small, along with a good meal can be all it takes to restore hope in a soul. A full list of suggested items can be found here. (Note: these are not required items, only suggestions.) 

Volunteers collect items personally or through group collection and then host an assembly event at the location of their choosing where volunteers will assemble gallon size Ziploc “Blessing Bags.” After assembly, you will set up a date to drop them off at the Purdue Center of Hope, where we will distribute to the community. On-site assembly at the Purdue Center of Hope may be available, depending on our schedule. If you would like to assemble on-site, please reach out upon signing up to discuss availability.

There is no set date for this opportunity – you can choose your own date.

When new faces arrive at The Salvation Army of Memphis & the Mid-South, we strive to meet them with their essential needs. Items like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste seem so small, but these items along with a good meal and a safe place to rest can be all it takes to restore hope in a soul. With new faces every day, The Salvation Army is in constant need for replenishment of these items. A list of items in constant need of can be found here.

Volunteers collect items personally or through group collection drives at a location of their choosing. (Tip: Great locations for collection drives are churches, schools, civic club meetings, etc.) 

There is no required deadline for hosting a collection drive. The date you select upon signing up will be the date you host the collection drive. Upon completion of the collection drive, a date for drop off of items to the Purdue Center of Hope will be scheduled.