VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME, CHANGE LIVES
Become a changemaker in your community. Every shift you volunteer helps us deliver chef-prepared meals to Melburnians experiencing crisis - turning compassion into tangible action right here in our city.
YOUR IMPACT STARTS HERE
Every week, 150+ volunteers across Melbourne come together with a shared purpose: ensuring no one in our community faces hunger alone.
At Alex Makes Meals, volunteering isn't just about preparing food. It's about being part of Melbourne's response to food insecurity. Unlike traditional food rescue, we purchase fresh ingredients to create chef-quality meals that provide dignity through nutrition.
Whether you're a student looking for hands-on experience, a professional seeking meaning, or a retiree wanting to give back to your community, there's a place for you with AMM.
What Makes Our Volunteers Special
- They're local Melburnians creating local impact
- They believe quality nutrition is a human right
- They transform four hours into 200+ meals
- They're part of a movement that's grown from one kitchen to a city-wide network
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH ALEX MAKES MEALS?
Build relationships and support neighbours in need
MAKE MEASURABLE LOCAL IMPACT
Your morning shift (8:00am-1pm) directly creates 200+ chef-prepared meals. See your impact immediately, from prep to plating, to delivery to our 50+ partner charities across Melbourne.
JOIN A PURPOSE-DRIVEN COMMUNITY
Work alongside 150+ passionate volunteers who've chosen action over apathy. Build genuine connections while learning from our experienced kitchen team and hearing stories of impact from our partner organisations.
GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE
• Develop kitchen and food handling skills with professional training
• Build teamwork and communication abilities
• Add meaningful volunteer experience to your CV
• Receive references for employment or study
• Complete required volunteer hours for courses or programs
FLEXIBLE COMMITMENT, LASTING IMPACT
Choose shifts that suit your schedule:
• Weekday morning shifts (9:30am-1pm)
• No minimum commitment required
• Perfect for students, job seekers, and retirees
• Group volunteering available for friends and families
BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Be part of Melbourne’s shift from food waste to food relief; from charity to dignity; from one student’s kitchen to a city-wide movement.
READY TO BECOME A CHANGEMAKER?
Joining our volunteer team is simple:
1. Submit Your Application - Tell us about yourself and your availability
2. Attend an Induction - Join us for a 30-minute orientation session
3. Book Your First Shift - Choose from available morning slots
4. Make Your First Impact - Arrive at 9:30am ready to change lives
YOUR IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
meals delivered
volunteer hours contributed annually
volunteers engaged
YOUR TYPICAL VOLUNTEER SHIFT
We provide:
All safety equipment (aprons, hairnets, gloves)
Comprehensive safety briefing
Tea, coffee, and biscuits
Certificate of volunteer hours (on request)
The satisfaction of tangible community impact
9:30am
Arrival & Briefing
Sign in at our Darebin Arts Centre kitchen and receive your apron and hairnet. Join our morning briefing where we'll outline the day's meal plan and assign roles.
9:45am
Prep & Production
Work alongside our kitchen team preparing fresh ingredients. Tasks vary but may include:
• Chopping vegetables for our signature stews and curries
• Portioning meals into individual containers
• Quality checking and labeling meals
• Maintaining kitchen hygiene standards
12:00pm
Packing & Loading
Help pack completed meals for distribution to our partner organisations. Load delivery vehicles and prepare documentation for each delivery.
12:45pm
Celebration & Departure
Gather for a quick team photo and hear about the impact of today's meals. Depart knowing you've directly helped nourish 200+ Melburnians in need.
REAL STORIES. REAL IMPACT. REAL MELBOURNE.
Real stories of impact from those who know us best
FAQs
Common questions about supporting Alex Makes Meals
We welcome volunteers of all skill levels! No cooking experience is necessary.
To get started:
- Visit our Events page to view upcoming volunteer sessions
- Register for a session that fits your schedule
- Attend a brief orientation when you arrive
- Join our team in preparing meals
Volunteer sessions typically run for 3-4 hours and include all equipment and training. We also offer corporate volunteer programs for team-building experiences.
No experience necessary! We welcome volunteers of all skill levels, from complete beginners to professional chefs.
When you arrive for your first session, you'll receive a brief orientation covering food safety, kitchen procedures, and your role for the day. Our experienced team leaders guide you through every step.
Tasks range from chopping vegetables to portioning meals, so there's something suitable for everyone regardless of cooking ability.
Absolutely! Group volunteering is a fantastic way to give back together. We welcome:
- Corporate teams for team-building experiences
- School groups and university clubs
- Community organizations and clubs
- Friends and family groups
For groups of 10 or more, please contact us in advance so we can accommodate your team and ensure a great experience. We can also customize sessions for corporate groups with branding opportunities and impact reporting.
You're welcome to volunteer as often as you'd like! Some of our dedicated volunteers join us weekly, while others come monthly or whenever their schedule allows.
We run multiple cooking sessions each week, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Check our Events page for the current schedule and register for sessions that suit you.
Regular volunteers often develop new skills and take on leadership roles within our kitchen team.
A typical volunteer session runs 3-4 hours and includes:
- Welcome and orientation: Brief safety briefing and task overview
- Preparation: Washing, chopping, and preparing ingredients
- Cooking: Working together to prepare large batches of meals
- Portioning: Dividing meals into individual containers
- Labeling: Adding ingredient and heating information
- Clean-up: Leaving the kitchen spotless for the next session
You'll work alongside other volunteers and our kitchen team in a fun, supportive environment. Refreshments are provided!
Need more information?
We're here to answer any additional questions.
MELBOURNE, YOU MAKE THIS POSSIBLE
3,247 meals this week. 50+ partner charities supported. 150+ volunteers in action.
Every meal represents a Melburnian helping a neighbour through crisis.
$1 = 1 MEAL. START YOUR IMPACT TODAY.
