Open Door Ministry

Saturday Mornings
8:00 am -9:30am

For over 30 years our Open Door Ministry has sought to feed our unhoused friends, but it is more than simply delivering needed services. To welcome those in need means to see them, to see in their faces and their condition the image and likeness of God and the integrity of their goodness in creation. We will welcome them, greet them, and host them, giving to them all the dignity that God gives to all of Their creations. We belive doing this is an encounter with the divine, and we are not complete as human beings unless we are personally involved in such a service. There are many ways to serve at Open Door both big and small.

Volunteer Opportunities

INDOOR VOLUNTEER

Kitchen & Fig Leaf (6 volunteers)
7:15 - 9:30 am

  • Assemble Brunch Bags (making sandwiches/quesadillas and adding other foods into bags)

  • Put away food, wash dishes, wipe down counters

  • After bags are made, volunteers help in the Fig Leaf Closet.

Fig Leaf Closet (6 volunteers)
 7:30 - 9:30 am

  • In the 1st floor stockroom, fulfilling orders taken outside.

OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERS

Brunch Table (4 volunteers)
7:30 - 9:30 am

  • Distribute Water & Brunch Bags

  • Manage coffee table by pouring coffee and replenishing cream & sugar.

  • Help keep courtyard clean

Fig Leaf Table (4 volunteers)
 7:30 - 9:30 am

  • Distribute toiletry/underwear bags

  • take clothing requests. Spanish speakers are very helpful here!

  • Runners help move request forms and fulfilled orders between the courtyard and 1st floor stockroom.

OPEN DOOR LEADERS

Kitchen Leader (2-4 volunteers)
7 - 10 am

  • Greet volunteers

  • Guide preparation of coffee and brunch bags

  • Clean Up Kitchen

Indoor Fig Leaf Leader (2-4 volunteers)
 7:30 - 10 am

  • Guide volunteers with fulfilling guest orders

Outdoor Coordinator (2-4 volunteers)
 7 - 10 am

  • Direct guests into serving lines

  • Oversees brunch table and courtyard operations.

Outdoor Fig Leaf Manager (2-4 volunteers)
 7:30 - 10 am

  • Assist with distribution of toiletries

  • Guide volunteers with taking guest orders

Children are welcome!

Please ensure children under 8 years old stay with an adult at all times.
A child/adult pair counts as one volunteer.

Sign Up

It’s thanks to the time of all our wonderful volunteers that we’re able to continue to operate every Saturday. Click the links below to sign up. We answer some frequently asked questions below. But if you have a question we didn’t cover, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at opendoor@uumc.org

Leader positions require training. If you’re interested in becoming a leader, please email us at opendoor@uumc.org to get started!

Volunteers

Leaders

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Volunteers do not need any training before arriving. We’ll be happy to show you anything you need to know upon arrival.

    Managers/Leaders/Coordinators are trained positions, if you’re interested in leading, please contact us at opendoor@uumc.org.

  • Volunteers can park in the church's small parking lot at 25th and Guadalupe Streets or in the Platinum Lot across the street. If you park across the street in the Platinum Parking lot, you need to put the Parking Permit sent to you on your dashboard.

  • Leaders need a minimum number of volunteers for each area, however having too many volunteers makes it difficult for leaders to find enough tasks for everyone to do. If the online calendar is already full, choose a different date or contact us about alternate arrangements.

  • The easiest way to do this is by clicking the link in the confirmation or reminder emails you received. You can also always email us at opendoor@uumc.org.

  • We love groups! Leaders are welcome to sign up for their whole organization, but we do have a few rules to make sure everyone has the opportunity to volunteer. During the school year we ask that groups of 8 or less come no more than once a month. During Summer and Winter breaks we welcome groups of up to 12, twice a month. Churches looking to volunteer can bring up to 14 people once a quarter. 

    If you’d like to bring more people, come more frequently or have any other questions about large groups, please contact us at opendoor@uumc.org to discuss. 

  • We love donations to our Fig Leaf Closet. Visit uumc.org/fig-leaf to see our list of current needs. If you plan to donate on Saturday morning, please do it between 7 and 8 am while we’re still setting up.

  • Donations of books, magazines, comics, etc. in English and Spanish are welcomed

Open Door Handbook