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More hands, less work

Warming Center looking for summer volunteers

Room at the Inn Warming Center at 447 W. Washington St. in Marquette is seeking more volunteers for the summer months, preferably people who can work in the kitchen and help with cleanup. (Journal photo by Jackie Jahfetson)

MARQUETTE — Room at the Inn Warming Center, located in downtown Marquette, is looking for more volunteers during the summer months, and all are encouraged to lend a hand.

Volunteers for the kitchen are preferred so meal prepping and cleanup goes more smoothly, but all are welcome, RIWC Manager Jennifer Tavernier said. RIWC, open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, hopes to acquire at least two volunteers for each three-hour shift, averaging six volunteers daily.

Though volunteers would typically sign up for a three-hour shift, Tavernier is willing to work with anyone’s schedule, she said, adding even if someone can only come in for an hour, she’ll make it work.

“Somebody who is good in the kitchen, comfortable working with others, willing to scrub dishes, things like that,” Tavernier said. “(People should volunteer) to give back to the community. It’s not just people who are homeless, sometimes it’s older people from Pine Ridge who come to enjoy and need that warm meal and companionship. It’s not just people who struggle to find housing. It’s people who need friends.”

No prerequisites are required, and RIWC current volunteers along with Tavernier are willing to train anyone who is looking to earn some community service hours or those who simply enjoy helping others.

Shifts include the morning from 6 to 9 a.m. where people help prep the breakfast, the lunch shift from 9 a.m. to noon and then the afternoon clean-up shift from noon to 3 p.m.

Volunteers at this time of the year are difficult to find, especially with opening shifts. Days that need more hands on deck include Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but any help is appreciated and it’s a friendly place to give back, Tavernier said.

“I love the people I work with. I love my volunteers and my guests. You just fall in love with some of the people here and get attached to it. There’s a lot of love here,” Tavernier added.

To volunteer, visit RIWC at 447 W. Washington St. or call Tavernier at 906-225-1521.

Jackie Jahfetson can be contacted via email at jahfetj@gmail.com.

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