How to volunteer

Make sure you fill out the form linked from our website. Anyone is welcome, but please note that if you’re under 18, you’ll need to volunteer under the supervision of an adult who has also signed up as a volunteer. Once you sign up, you’ll be added to our (usually weekly) newsletter where you can learn about volunteer opportunities. 

We’ll ask you every time you volunteer to confirm that you’ve read the waiver. This is required by our fiscal sponsor and our insurers. 

A day or two after you fill out the form to become a volunteer, you’ll get an invitation directly from PlanHero to create a login and join our group. Joining PlanHero is FREE and it’s the only way to be able to sign up to volunteer for specific opportunities. 

Look for an available event and enter your name to sign up. You are welcome to take multiple spots for the same event, if they are available. 

All events will tell you how many people are attending and, if there are multiple volunteers requested, how many people you should bake for. Some events have specific requests to avoid allergens (like tree nuts), others ask for specific types of baked goods or packaging. Each event has delivery needs identified. Please review to ensure you can meet those windows.  

There are often multiple windows of time and locations, so it’s important to tell the contact where and approximately when you’ll make the delivery. Unless otherwise instructed, reach out about a week before the event to coordinate.

How much should you make? It’s up to you, but a good rule of thumb is that for larger items (like a cupcake), one per person is probably good, but for smaller items (like a cookie), maybe you want to provide two to three per person (depending on size). Also, consider how far in advance you’ll be making your baked goods when thinking about what to make. Baked goods that require refrigeration might not be a good fit for an outdoor event, especially if you’re baking or dropping off a few days in advance. If you have any concerns, you can always reach out to the event contact. 

TIP: Now’s a great time to snap some photos of your tasty treats! Don’t forget to tag us on your social media posts! 

The event description will give you an indication if individual packaging is needed, otherwise, you can use any kind of container that works. Many of our bakers use disposable aluminum pans or large ziploc bags or containers that you can purchase in the grocery store, but you might also explore party and catering supply stores that sell bakery boxes or take out containers. 

All of your packages must be labeled. A good label includes a name or description of the baked goods, a list of major ingredients (including those with any identified allergens, such as gluten, eggs, dairy, and nuts), and the words, “These items were baked in a home kitchen.” A great label would also include the InKind Baking Project name or logo, the contact name for the delivery, and list all the ingredients. Visit the Bakers Resources page for logo and label files.

You are responsible for delivering the baked goods following the instructions listed with the event. You are always welcome to team up with another volunteer to assist with delivery, just be sure that anyone you tap for that role is also signed up with us as a volunteer. 

After you deliver, fill out this short form to let us know that you were able to make the drop.  If you have any issues with the drop-off, you can report them here. This is also the spot to upload your pictures and show off your skills!