Volunteer FAQ

Volunteers enter through our main lobby and our receptionist will contact the Volunteer Department. Volunteer staff will greet you and get you started on your project. If your group is running late or if anyone needs directions, please call 617.892.9184 and let the volunteer team know.

Yes, we offer lockers for coats, bags, or other belongings, but please note that Pine Street Inn is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

All kitchen volunteers are trained in food safety at the beginning of their shift. Volunteers work in our kitchen chopping vegetables, making sandwiches, weighing food, and with other basic meal preparation services. Volunteers work together as a team alongside our kitchen associates and trainees. If your group project involves using a knife to chop items in the kitchen’ we will provide special cutting gloves.

We require that all volunteers wear LONG PANTS, CLOSED-TOE SHOES and SHIRTS. Those wearing open-toed shoes or shorts will not be allowed to volunteer.

Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes that they do not mind getting dirty. You should avoid wearing loose clothing, including: untucked shirts, wide sleeves, wallet chains, bracelets or long necklaces. We require all food service and kitchen volunteers to wear a hairnet or alternate head covering; you may bring in a baseball cap if you prefer.

 

You must be 15 or older to volunteer at Pine Street Inn. Families with younger children can contribute in other ways. Please contact our office if you would like to learn more.

Very limited parking is available in our Visitor Parking Lot, located at 237 E. Berkeley Street. The entrance to this lot is just beyond the Mobil Gas Station. We cannot guarantee parking, so we encourage carpooling or public transportation as the lot can fill up quickly. If the visitor lot is full, there is paid parking available across from 363 Albany Street. The rate for this lot is $2.50/hour.