Help Meals on Wheels. An hour of driving in Berkeley can deliver meals to 8-15 families while building connections with community members. Also deliver by bike or on foot.
We need volunteers to pack or deliver food to help ensure nutritious, fresh meals get to Berkeley’s homebound seniors—whose numbers in our program soared during the pandemic.
Sign up to volunteer with Meals on Wheels by reaching out to us by phone or email:
- (510) 981-5250
- mealsonwheels@cityofberkeley.info
Volunteer by yourself or with a friend, and help brighten up a senior’s day.
Pack and deliver meals for homebound seniors
Volunteers help pack and deliver meals for seniors across Berkeley. You can choose to pack meals, deliver meals, or do both.
You can expect to make 8-15 deliveries during your shift, which should take about an hour if driving.
You can also request a walking or biking route to make deliveries without a car.
Shifts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Meals on Wheels volunteer shifts are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. To volunteer to help pack meals, please arrive by 8:00 am. To volunteer to make deliveries, please arrive between 10:00–11:00 am.
You will begin your shift at the Meals on Wheels office:
1925 9th St.
Berkeley, CA 94710
We ask volunteers to commit to at least one shift each week. If you aren’t able to commit to a weekly shift, you can still sign up to be “on call.” We will contact you if we are short on volunteers to see if you’re able to come in.
Volunteer for the length of time that works for your life. You can have a big impact whether you're with us for a few months or a few years.
Volunteer requirements
You must be 18 or older to volunteer on your own. Volunteers under 18 are also welcome with adult supervision. We will conduct a background check on all volunteers.
To volunteer, you must provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination. You are up-to-date on vaccinations if you meet one of the following conditions:
- It has been less than two months since you received the initial dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or
- It has been less than five months since you received the second dose of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna initial series, or
- You have received a booster.
Please wear a mask while volunteering to protect the safety of our staff, seniors, and fellow volunteers.
To volunteer as a driver, you will need a valid driver’s license, a vehicle, and current auto insurance. You should be able to lift at least 25 lbs.
Application process
To start volunteering, please reach out to us by phone or email:
- (510) 981-5250
- mealsonwheels@cityofberkeley.info
We will ask you to fill out a volunteer application form. We will also ask you to give consent for us to run a background check. Once those steps are complete, we will coordinate a day for your first delivery shift!
About Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to homebound seniors across Berkeley. These healthy meals help ensure that seniors are able to get the nutrition they need while living at home. Volunteers play a vital role in providing reliable and friendly delivery service.
The number of clients enrolled in Meals on Wheels has risen from about 140 in 2019 to around 220 today. In our 2021 fiscal year, we served 86,670 meals—a 33% increase from the previous fiscal year.
The program is open to any senior 60 and older who is unable to prepare a balanced meal for themselves. Learn more about how to sign up for Meals on Wheels and other nutrition programs for seniors.
