Frequently asked questions
All corporate volunteers are required to have had at least 2 vaccinations against COVID-19. Face masks must be worn at all times inside the building at 1-7 South Audley Street, Abbotsford, unless you are sitting down eating or drinking in the breakout room. We will do our utmost to ensure your safety while you are on our premises by maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment. We will continue to update our COVIDSafe plan in line with changes in conditions and government advice.
The FareShare kitchen provides the perfect setting for employees to interact with colleagues across departments and levels, while making a tangible difference. It can also be a great way to build relationships with clients. No special skills are required and everyone participates on an equal basis.
Each group of corporate volunteers finish their 3-4 hour shift having made around 1000 nutritious meals for Victorian families and individuals in need.
Participants will also learn about the impact of hunger in our community, and leave with a real understanding of how their efforts have directly helped disadvantaged Australians.
Teams undertake a variety of kitchen tasks such as rolling pastry, cracking eggs, and cooking and packing quiches, sausage rolls, vegie rolls and single-serve meals.
On a typical shift, corporate volunteers cook around 1000 meals.
Morning and afternoon shifts run for 3.5 hours, including a tea-break, Evening shifts run for approximately 2- 2.5 hours.
1) Morning shifts: 9am-12.30pm (Mon-Fri)
2) Afternoon shifts: 1.15pm-5pm (Mon-Thu) & 1.15pm-4pm (Fri)
3) Evening shifts: 6.15pm to 8:30pm (Wed & Thu)
The maximum shift size is 16. If you bring a smaller crew, we will partner you with another group to boost numbers and ensure meal output.
We do not have access to off street parking nearby. During the day, finding a car park can be very challenging. There are some 4 hour parks in surrounding streets. There is parking for a fee available at Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, which is a 10 minute walk from the FareShare kitchen. Street parking is available in the evenings.
The financial contribution is $1,200 (plus GST) for a half-day experience or $1,000 (plus GST) for an evening shift.
If you have to cancel your shift within 3 weeks of your booking date, we may apply a 50% cancellation fee. We understand that navigating through the pandemic might require some last minute changes to your volunteer line up, and we may waive the cancellation fee if you have to change or cancel for this reason. However it is difficult for us to find another group to take your booking at short notice, and we will therefore drop production if you are unable to come in and support us on the date you booked.
For a kitchen shift we ask volunteers to bring a clean apron, wear comfortable clothing (no sleeveless tops in summer), and runners or sneakers. Shoes must be closed in, flat and comfortable. We will also provide you with a list of PPE requirements once you book your shift. This includes no jewellery including watches, no scarves or hoodies, and you must wear a hairnet which we will provide on the day.
Groups are supervised by our friendly chefs and supervisors who will demonstrate the tasks to be undertaken and work alongside your group.
Our Abbotsford Kitchen Garden is open to corporate volunteering on Friday mornings for up to 10 volunteers. Gardening tasks may include weeding, mulching, propagating, planting, harvesting and composting.