The Share a Meal program is an opportunity for Service Groups, Organizations, Individuals and Companies to volunteer to prepare and serve a meal to our Guests from within our kitchen. It helps lessen the stress of having to prepare a meal, but it also helps with some of the costs that they are faced with when they are away from home. A home-cooked meal is a wonderful gift to give someone after a long day at the hospital.
This program not only provides a home-cooked meal for our Guests, but it also creates a team-building opportunity for groups of all kinds.
Steps to Participate:
Step 1: Review the FAQs below and complete the application (to the right)
Step 2: Once your application is received, we will contact you to pick a date
Step 3: Pick your team members
Step 4: Decide who does which job(s)
Step 5: Choose your Menu
Step 6: Share a Meal!
Day of Event
- Arrive at the main door at 321 Royal Avenue – everyone should arrive at the same time and carpool if possible; parking is available on the street or across Abbott at Strathcona Park.
- Bring indoor shoes
- Have an elastic to pull back long hair
- JoeAnna’s House aprons will be provided
- Have fun!
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us:
Heather Moison
Share a Meal Coordinator
Heather.moison@interiorhealth.ca or info@joeannashouse.com
Phone: 250-470-0100
FAQs
How many Volunteers are required for each team?
You can have as few as two or as many as twelve people to help with one meal service; however, there is only room for two to seven people and one team lead on site during the dinner preparation. Several tasks need to be completed prior to preparing the meal so team members who cannot attend the meal service can still contribute their time. You decide who does what and when. All Volunteers must be 19 and up.
What is the time commitment?
It will take anywhere between four to six hours from planning the meal to cleaning up. On the day of the event, you should plan to be onsite from approximately 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, depending on the complexity of the meal.
Choose the menu: 30 – 45 minutes
Create the grocery list: 30 – 45 minutes
Grocery shopping: 60 – 90 minutes
Prepare the meal: 45 – 120 minutes
Serve the meal: 30 – 45 minutes
Eat dinner with Guests: 30 – 45 minutes
Clean up: 30 – 45 minutes
How much will it cost?
The commitment to participate in the Share a Meal program is to cover the cost of all of the groceries needed to prepare the meal that your team has decided to prepare.
The number of people you are cooking for and the type of meal you choose will determine the cost of the food. Spaghetti and Meatballs would be considerably less expensive to make than Chicken Cordon Bleu. You pick the meal you are comfortable preparing.
Will we receive a tax receipt?
We will provide a gift-in-kind tax receipt for the cost of the groceries; all original receipts must be submitted.
Do Volunteers need to have Food Safe training?
Food safe training is not required. An employee with Food Safe training will be available to oversee the meal prep and service.
What days are available to Share a Meal?
Any Wednesday evening. A home-cooked meal is a wonderful gift to give someone after a long day at the hospital. If Wednesdays don’t work for your group we could possibly make arrangements for another day.
Are we required to bring any cookware or other equipment?
We have a very well-stocked kitchen with everything you are likely to need; just ask us.
How many Guests are we cooking for?
We typically have between 20-40 Guests in the house at any time; we would let you know 48 hours in advance how many Guests to prepare for. Leftovers will be placed in single-sized containers and frozen for future use by our Guests.
Do we have to follow the recipes provided?
The recipes we provide are just to help get you started; please use your favourite family recipes.
Can we drop off groceries ahead of our scheduled meal date?
We have a full sized fridge and freezer that can be used, prior to the day, to hold any groceries you have purchased.
Can we pre-cook the food?
All food must be prepared in either a commercial kitchen or here at JoeAnna’s House to ensure all food safety rules are being followed. If you would like to pre-cook a dish or two, we should be able to accommodate you the day before here at the house.
What happens if we have to cancel at the last minute?
If this happens, can you please consider providing a take-out meal for Guests to share, such as pizza!
Is there a simple way to provide a meal?
If you would like to provide a meal for our Guests but don’t have the time or resources to make it happen on-site, then you can pick a Wednesday and have Pizza or another easy-to-share meal delivered to the house. If you want to join us to enjoy dinner, you are more than welcome!
Can we post photos on Social Media?
Groups coming into the house are encouraged to post photos of their team, the meal prepared, and the fun they are having!
Please refer to our social media guide for best practices and suggestions!
For confidentiality reasons, Volunteers are not permitted to post photos from within or outside on the property of JoeAnna’s House on any social media platform that include images of Guests unless prior permission has been granted. See our confidentiality Statement.
Confidentiality Statement
Each individual who comes to JoeAnna’s House is required to respect the rights to privacy surrounding each Guest(s) situation. We are committed to and legally bound to protect a Guest and/or Patient’s privacy and ensure confidentiality. During time as a Volunteer at JoeAnna’s House, it is possible that personal or other confidential information may be overheard or viewed; volunteers must understand that any such information obtained will be kept strictly confidential. Volunteers should not disclose or seek any confidential information that comes to their attention in verbal, written or computerized form concerning a Patient, Guest, Employee or Volunteer of JoeAnna’s House and the KGH Foundation and they must also understand that photography/videography of Employees, Volunteers or Guests is prohibited without their consent.
