Opportunities From: United Way of Dane County

The Beacon is a homeless day resource center that is open 365 days a year (8am-5pm) that serves approximately 200 guests per day. We are able to offer our guests both breakfast and lunch meals, shower services, and laundry services, all of which are 100% volunteer ran! We need about 14-20 volunteers per day to help us keep the basic services we offer open. Take a look below for the exciting opportunities that you can assist with, and we'd love you to join our volunteer family!   Kitchen Meal Server: Volunteers serve a morning breakfast and a healthy lunch to guests at The Beacon every day. Kitchen Meal Servers help make sure it all runs smoothly by being a friendly, welcoming presence in the kitchen; making coffee; doing light food prep; serving food; and doing the dishes. 8:00AM-10:30AM or 11:15AM-2:00PM Laundry: Volunteers wash, dry and lightly fold clothes for our guests so that they can be ready for their jobs, feel prepared for interviews, and feel fresher as they navigate their day. 8:15AM-12:00PM or 12:00PM-3:30PM Showers: Volunteers provide an opportunity for our guests who are experiencing homelessness to get clean and feel good again. We have five private showers that can be used for 30 minutes per individual. Shower volunteers check guests in for access to a private shower that includes use of necessary toiletries. 8:15AM-11:00AM or 1:00PM-3:30PM  

 

NEXT STEPS: If you would like to volunteer at The Beacon, please complete a volunteer application. 

 Once you complete a volunteer application, our Volunteer Coordinator, Alisha Henning, will reach out to you to schedule a volunteer orientation and building/station tour. Training for the volunteer roles are done on-the-job with our veteran volunteers. 

 

 

Please feel encouraged to visit our Amazon Wish List and purchase items to ship directly. This will help us limit the number of people and in-person contacts we have in our facility. 

The Beacon Day Shelter is in need of the following: 

Immediate Needs:    

Disinfectant wipes Hand sanitizer NEW Underwear (all sizes) NEW Socks (all sizes) Belts

 

Paper Products for Food Service:

Paper plates Paper bowls Paper cups

 

Food Products:

Snacks (granola bars, apples, bananas) Fresh fruits or vegetables Pastry items Boiled eggs

 

Cleaning Products:

Disinfectant wipes Hand sanitizer

 

Continued Daily Needs:

Deodorant, toothbrushes, travel size toothpaste Large bottles of shampoo and conditioner Combs and brushes (especially for ethnic hair wide tooth combs, wave brushes)