5 Common Myths About Volunteering

Photo Credit: News-Register, Rachel Thompson
Volunteers Kim Martinez, left, and Patti Stritzke take a meal order from a guest.

Volunteering is one of the best ways to support your community, yet many people hesitate because of misconceptions. At Saturday Morning Breakfast, we hear these concerns often. The truth? Volunteering here is simple, flexible, and rewarding, with clear roles, supportive leadership, and easy steps to get started.

To help clear things up, here are five common myths about volunteering, and how SMB makes volunteering accessible for everyone.

5 Common Myths

1. “I don’t have time to volunteer.”
   Many people think volunteering requires hours every week, but most nonprofits offer flexible roles—short shifts, one-time events, or occasional help. Even one hour a month can make a real impact. At our Saturday Service, breakfast runs from 8AM-10PM.

2. “Volunteering is only for people with special skills.”
   Many believe they need certifications, food service experience, or special skills to help. Certain positions require a food handlers card, as shared at the end of this article; however, service runs smoothly because we provide step-by-step signs in each area to help guide you. We also have supportive leadership at each service if you have any questions or concerns.

3. “My small contribution won’t matter.”
   People often underestimate their impact, thinking they need to do something huge to make a difference. At Saturday Morning Breakfast, every small action keeps us running. These “small” jobs feed 150+ neighbors every week. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to serve our community.

4. “Volunteering is overwhelming or emotionally heavy.”
   Some believe volunteering always involves high-stress or intense situations. Our Saturday breakfasts are warm, friendly, and community-centered. Volunteers often describe it as a rewarding opportunity. There are smiles, conversations, teamwork, and skill-building. You’ll leave feeling energized, not overwhelmed. And if a situation ever becomes challenging, you’re never alone. Our safety team and leadership are always present to step in, support you, and handle anything that gets out of hand so volunteers can stay focused on serving with confidence and care.

5. “Other people are already doing it, so I’m not really needed.”
   Many assume nonprofits have enough volunteers or that their help won’t make a difference. If the majority thought like this, then we wouldn’t have the capacity to support our community! Our volunteer numbers change every week. Holidays, busy seasons, and life events mean we always need new hands. There’s always a spot where your presence fills a real gap. Even one extra volunteer helps us serve faster and smoother.

Ready to Volunteer?

Whether you’re a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time, staying up to date on our training helps keep Saturday Morning Breakfast safe, welcoming, and running smoothly.

For Returning Volunteers: Please make sure you’ve completed your annual trainings and reviewed any updated policies or role expectations. This helps us maintain consistency, safety, and high-quality service each Saturday.

For New Volunteers: If you’re new to SMB, we invite you to explore our required trainings and volunteer expectations, including food safety, civil rights, code of conduct, and role-specific guidelines. These short videos and policies give you everything you need to feel confident stepping into a volunteer role.

You can also review our volunteer position descriptions to see which roles fit your interests.

Learn more about volunteer requirements and roles here!

As we enter the new year, some volunteer roles and requirements may shift to better support our growing program. We’ll keep our website and sign-up pages updated so you always have the latest information.

Why Table Talk 101?

We believe that awareness is the first step toward action. The Table Talk 101 Blog Series and our accompanying social media series are designed to:

• Educate the community about issues like hunger and poverty.

• Share updates on SMB’s programs and events.

• Highlight resources available to those in need.

• Inspire action—volunteering, donating, or spreading the word.

Just like the conversations you might have while sitting down to a shared meal, we hope Table Talk 101 will create a space for dialogue, learning, and connection.

How You Can Get Involved

• Read and Share → by following our weekly posts on the Table Talk 101 Blog and share them on social media to raise awareness.

• Volunteer → by joining us on Saturdays to serve meals and connect with neighbors.

• Support the sustainability of SMB → by becoming a Saturday Sponsor and providing tools and nourishment to hundreds of local people.

We can break the cycle of food insecurity and build a stronger, healthier community where everyone has a seat at the table! Stay tuned for next week’s Table Talk 101 post, where we’ll explore more about how food insecurity affects children and families—and what we can all do to help.