Volunteer opportunities

Thank you for your interest in serving with us! Since our current focus is on serving men, some volunteer roles are best suited for male volunteers, but there are still meaningful ways for women and children to get involved! Each description below notes any specific needs.

Please email info@thecookery.org or call us at (615) 269-2911 to sign up or get more details.

Spiritual Growth & Mentorship

Bible Study Teachers

Bible Study Teachers commit to coming once a week for one month. Some topics or books may require a longer commitment, which can be arranged.

Key teaching areas include: the Father Heart of God, Purity, Identity, Discipleship Principles, and Forgiveness.

Mentors

Men can be paired with students in the program to meet regularly and support them in their faith journey. We especially welcome men with rich life experience.

Prayer Partners

Prayer Partners minister through prayer, either in person during café hours or from home. They pray over our space, students, staff, and prayer requests left by customers at our prayer wall. Home-based prayer volunteers receive an updated list of student and staff needs.

Friday Night Worship

Join us Fridays at 6pm at The Cookery for worship. Volunteers are welcome to attend, lead worship, or share the Word.

Food & Hospitality

Lunch Bag Preparation

We hand out about 20 free sack lunches six days a week at The Cookery, and 90–120 on Mission Saturdays. Each includes a sandwich, snack, and coffee or tea. Volunteers help assemble and distribute these meals.

Mission Saturdays

Join us on Mission Saturdays as we reach out to Nashville’s homeless community. Together, we’ll distribute 90–120 meals—each with a sandwich, snack, and coffee or tea—along with water and essential supplies. Volunteers not only help deliver these items but also share encouragement, prayer, and the love of God.

Drivers: Donated Food Pickups

We need weekday volunteers to pick up donated food items for Lambscroft and The Cookery. These donations support our Mission Saturdays and help feed our unhoused neighbors.

Practical Service & Support

Haircuts

Skilled volunteers are needed to give haircuts to students at The Cookery.

Improvement Projects

Our Discipleship Homes and The Cookery occasionally need light repairs or maintenance. If you have skills in plumbing, electrical, or general home projects, let us know—we’d love your help when needs arise.

Hygiene Packs

We collect and assemble hygiene packs in gallon-size Ziploc bags for those in need. Packs can include:

Wet wipes, soap, razors, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste
Women’s hygiene products
$5 meal cards (McDonald’s, gas stations, etc.)
Socks, snacks, emergency blankets, rain ponchos, etc.
In colder months: hand warmers, hot drink packets, gloves

Seasonal Outreach

Thanksgiving & Christmas Deliveries

Because many ministries serve hot meals on major holidays, we focus on delivering supplies and gifts. If your group, church, or family would like to collect, assemble, or deliver items, please email info@thecookery.org. You’re welcome to host a drive for one or more needed items.