Volunteer Guidelines & Agreement

The Good Samaritan Inn is very glad to have you volunteering your time to help us fulfill our mission of feeding the hungry in the greater Decatur area. Before you come to help, we want you to know what to expect.

HOURS:

  • The Good Samaritan Inn must approve volunteer hours in advance (even if it is same-day) - please do not arrive unannounced.

  • If you need to cancel, please contact the Good Samaritan Inn (217) 429-1455 or outreach@goodsaminn.org.

  • You are invited to have a lunch with us after the last patron has gone through the line and the door is locked at 1:00pm.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

  • Volunteers must be at least 10 years old to work in the kitchen. Youth ages 10-17 require adult supervision unless special permission is given by management. Younger volunteers may be allowed with special permission - please contact us to discuss.

  • Volunteers of any age are invited to volunteer in our gardens. Children under 18 require adult supervision unless special permission is granted.

  • Please plan to either leave your personal belongings, purses, cell phones (can be put in pocket), etc. at home or lock them in your car, out of sight.

ATTIRE:

  • No sandals, flipflops or house slippers. Must wear close-toe shoes and tied if meant to be.

  • Wear clothes that fit and allow for easy movement.

  • No ‘sagging’ pants (underwear visible) or too over-sized tee shirts.

  • No shirts with suggestive or inappropriate phrases or slogans.

  • No ‘thong’ underwear showing or excess skin showing.

  • No short shorts, lycra short pants or yoga pants.

  • No camis, tank tops, or tops with spaghetti straps.

  • Long hair must be tied back and if working the serving line all must be under your hair net.

  • No watches are permitted per the Health Department guidelines.

  • No personal belongings may be stored in aprons. Any belongings that do not fit in pockets must be locked in your car or in the volunteer manager’s office

  • No purses, bookbags or other items around shoulders may be worn while volunteering

BEHAVIOR:

  • We request no cell phone usage except in an emergency. This includes texting and no ear buds.

  • Smoking is not allowed on the Good Samaritan Inn property.

  • Staff supervision is provided while volunteering. When one task is completed, please ask the staff what else needs to be done.

  • No inappropriate language or dialogue and please refrain from using loud voices. However, we love having a good time helping others, and laughter.

  • All work is done standing up. There are very few tasks that can be done sitting.

  • Going in the walk-in cooler or store room will be specifically directed by a staff member.

  • No food is to leave the building unless specially requested and approved.

  • You are invited to join us for prayer before the meal begins, usually around 11:30.

  • Always feel free to ask questions or make suggestions.

Last Update: September 23, 2020

Thank you in advance for sharing your time and talents with us!