Donate Dinner FAQ’s | Meals on Wheels People

Donate Dinner FAQ's

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Donate Dinner – Frequently Asked Questions

Jump To:  General Information | Team Leaders | Store Greeters | Inclement Weather & Other Emergencies

 


General Information

Q: What is Donate Dinner?

A: Donate Dinner is a fundraising campaign for Meals on Wheels People that is held the five days prior to Thanksgiving each year. Volunteers are stationed at local grocery stores and ask customers to make a monetary donation to provide a meal to a homebound senior. Customers can add a donation when they check out at the store.

Q: Why do you need volunteers for Donate Dinner?

A: Volunteers are vital to the success of Donate Dinner! Over the years, we have noticed that stores with volunteers raise TRIPLE the amount than stores without volunteers!

Q: What days are Donate Dinner?

A: Donate Dinner starts on Saturday, November 17, and runs through Wednesday, November 21. Chuck’s Produce in Clark County hosts Donate Dinner on Friday, November 16, and Sunday, November 18 through Wednesday, November 21.

Q: What stores participate in Donate Dinner?

A: All of the local New Seasons Markets, as well as Green Zebra, Market of Choice, Lamb’s Thiftway, Jim’s Thiftway, Bales Thiftway, and Chuck’s Produce in Clark County participate in Donate Dinner. Overall, there are 30 store locations hosting volunteers for Donate Dinner.

Q: What are the hours for Donate Dinner?

A: Volunteers are stationed at stores from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Store Greeter shifts are two hours each.

Q: What’s the difference between a Team Leader and a Store Greeter?

A: Team Leaders are responsible for recruiting volunteers to fill every shift at a store for the day, while Store Greeters volunteer to fill a two-hour shift.

Q: Do Team Leaders need to be at the store all day?

A: No! We ask that Team Leaders recruit volunteers to fill all Store Greeter shifts, but we don’t require Team Leaders to be at the store all day. Team Leaders are welcome to take a Store Greeter shift as well!

Q: How long are Store Greeter shifts?

A: Store Greeter shifts are two hours each, but volunteers can sign up for multiple shifts if they wish. Store Greeter shifts are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 3 p.m., 3 to 5 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m.

Q: How else can I help?

A: Help us spread the word about Donate Dinner! Donate Dinner is one of the largest volunteer events in the region, with over 1,700 volunteers needed to fill Store Greeter shifts. Help us by promoting Donate Dinner on social media, on your company’s intranet, on sites like Next Door, and by telling your friends and family.

 


Team Leaders

Q: How do I sign up as a Team Leader?

A: Simply visit www.donatedinner.org and click on the “Sign up to be a Team Leader” button. This will show you all available Team Leader stores and dates. You will need to create an account if you are new to volunteering with Meals on Wheels People.

Q: I want to be a Team Leader, but the store and day I want says “Full.” What do I do?

A: If the website says a day is full, that means another Team Leader as reserved that day. Check other days or stores for an available Team Leader opportunity!

Q: How do my team members sign up for a Store Greeter shift?

A: Team members can sign-up online using the URL and JOIN CODE sent specifically to you as Team Leader. Team members will need to create an account if they are new to volunteering to Meals on Wheels People. Team members will need to enter their join code (for example, GOMEALS) when they register for an account. Team members who currently have an account can add a join code by clicking their name in the upper right hand corner once they are logged in.

Q: Can I sign up for a Store Greeter shift?

A: Of course! You will just need to sign up on the Donate Dinner website for the specific shift you want.

Q: How many Store Greeter shifts do I need to fill?

A: Generally, we ask that you recruit two Store Greeters for each shift. There are four shifts per day, so in most cases you will need to recruit eight volunteers. There are a handful of stores that have two entrances, and we ask that you recruit four Store Greeters for each shifts so that two Store Greeters are stationed at each entrance. The New Seasons Markets located in Fisher’s Landing, Mountain Park, Nyberg Rivers, Orenco Station, Raleigh Hills, Slabtown, University Park, and Williams have two entrances and require four Store Greeters per shift.

 


Store Greeters

Q: What do Store Greeters do during their shift?

A: Store Greeters are asked to greet shoppers as they arrive, hold out a Donate Dinner card, and say something like: “Hi! I’m with Meals on Wheels People. Please tell your cashier at check out if you would like to donate dinner to a homebound senior. Thank you!”

We also ask that Store Greeters help keep the store tidy by picking up Donate Dinner cards that are left behind in shopping carts or baskets. If the cards are clean, please reuse them.

Q: Do volunteers collect money or donations?

A: No! All donations are collected by the store when the customer checks out. If a customer gives you a cash donation, please take the donation to a register inside the store.

Q: How do I sign up for a Store Greeter shift?

A: Go to www.donatedinner.org and click on the “Sign up as a Store Greeter” button. This will display all of the available Store Greeter shifts. Available shifts are automatically sorted by date.

Q: Can I sign up for more than one shift?

A: Yes! Once you’ve completed the registration for your first shift, you can select to sign up for additional shifts at any store that shows a “Sign Up” button.

Q: What if the date or time I want isn’t available at my store of choice?

A: If your preferred choice is full, that means someone else has already reserved that day or shift. You can choose another shift at that store, or see if there is a shift available at another nearby store. You can view a map of all stores at www.donatedinner.org.

Q: How many people can sign up per Store Greeter shift?

A: Two Store Greeters are stationed at an entrance for each shift. Generally, stores only have one entrance so Store Greeter shifts are limited to two volunteers. There are several stores with two entrances, which require a total of four Store Greeters per shift. The New Seasons Markets located in Fisher’s Landing, Mountain Park, Nyberg Rivers, Orenco Station, Raleigh Hills, Slabtown, University Park, and Williams have two entrances and require four Store Greeters per shift.

Q: What if more than two people want to sign up for a shift, or more than four people at a store with two entrances?

A: We prefer that only two Store Greeters are stationed at each entrance, as space is limited at stores. We find that two Store Greeters per entrance work best during the busy holiday season that the stores are experiencing. You are welcome to bring your minor child to your shift, and they will not count towards the Store Greeter limit.

Q: Can Store Greeters bring their children to their volunteer shift?

A: Of course! Donate Dinner is a family friendly event, and Store Greeters are welcomed and encouraged to bring their minor children with them to their shift! We find that customers are more generous when children ask them to donate.

Q: Can a minor sign up for a Store Greeter shift?

A: Minors are welcome at Donate Dinner, but we require that anyone under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult.

Q: What should Store Greeters wear for their shift?

A: We recommend warm clothing and comfortable shoes, since Store Greeters will be stationed near the entrance doors and will be standing the entire shift. You will be given an apron and button to wear. We encourage Store Greeters to dress festively for the holiday season or wear company-branded clothing!

Q: Why do you need Store Greeters to provide a cell phone number?

A: We ask that volunteers provide a cell phone number in case there are any changes to the Donate Dinner schedule or important information that we need to share about the event. Your Team Leader will also use this number to call you the night before your shift to confirm.

Q: Why do you need Store Greeters to provide an email address?

A: We will send a reminder email with important information about your shift a few days before Donate Dinner begins. We will also send you results after Donate Dinner concludes, and keep you informed of other news about Meals on Wheels People.

 


Inclement Weather & Other Emergencies

Q: What if it’s snowing or icy on my volunteer day?

A: We ask that volunteers make their best judgement in inclement weather. If a volunteer doesn’t feel that they can make it to the store safely, they should stay home and inform their Team Leader or the Donate Dinner Coordinator. The Team Leader will pass that information along to Meals on Wheels People.

Q: What if I’m sick or have an emergency and can’t come for my shift?

A: We ask that volunteers contact their Team Leader, the Team Leader will pass that information along to Meals on Wheels People. If you are able to find a replacement volunteer, or fill the shift yourself, please let us know. If there is no Team Leader assigned to your store, please contact the Donate Dinner Coordinator.

 

 

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Nicole Wolfer at [email protected] or by phone at (503) 953-8105.

Thank you!

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