Why Volunteer? The Answer Might Surprise You.
Photo Credit: Canva, Syda Productions
Every Saturday morning in McMinnville, before the sun rises and the coffee starts to brew, something extraordinary happens: people come together, not for recognition or reward, but for community.
At Saturday Morning Breakfast, our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. They greet guests with smiles, serve warm meals with compassion, and create a welcoming space where everyone feels seen and valued. Without volunteers, we simply couldn’t fulfill our mission of feeding both body and soul.
Volunteering Matters
McMinnville is more than just a charming town, it’s a community built on connection. When you volunteer locally, you’re not only lending a hand; you’re strengthening the ties that make our town resilient. You meet neighbors you might never have crossed paths with. You learn stories that remind you of our shared humanity. You see, firsthand, how small acts of kindness ripple outward to create lasting change.
Volunteering helps McMinnville thrive because it bridges the gap between compassion and action. It reminds us that the most powerful change often begins with something simple: showing up.
The Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering doesn’t just change the lives of those we serve, it changes us, too. Research consistently shows that giving your time to others improves overall well-being. According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteers experience lower stress levels, higher self-confidence, and a greater sense of life satisfaction. In fact, a UnitedHealth Group study found that 76% of volunteers report feeling healthier, and 78% say volunteering lowers their stress.
Beyond the emotional benefits, volunteering can strengthen empathy, enhance leadership and communication skills, and provide a renewed sense of purpose. Volunteering connects us to something bigger than ourselves, reminding us that compassion isn’t just what we can choose to give; it’s what we need.
We Want Your Feedback
We’re always looking for ways to make Saturday Morning Breakfast an even more meaningful experience for our volunteers!
Take Our Volunteer Survey Here! →
The purpose of this survey is to better understand your experience and availability and to help us improve communication, scheduling, and volunteer support. Your input helps shape the future of our service!
Our New Volunteer Recognition Program!
This year, we’re thrilled to introduce our Volunteer Recognition Program, a heartfelt way to say thank you to our volunteers for their ongoing dedication and service.
Monthly Raffle! Volunteer. Serve. Win: Each shift you serve earns you a ticket into our Monthly Raffle with a $25 gift card up for grabs! Sign up, show up, do good, and maybe treat yourself to something special afterward. The more you volunteer, the more chances you have to win, and to keep our community tables full of warmth and care!
Annual Appreciation Event to celebrate YOU: Starting April 2026, we gather to honor the people who make Saturday Morning Breakfast possible. Expect surprises, certificates, service pins, and custom aprons just for you. When you give to others, you deserve to be celebrated too!
Join the Movement!
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a difference right here in your own community, we invite you to join us. Whether it’s once a month or every weekend, your time and energy help keep our mission alive. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, kinder McMinnville… one meal at a time.
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 donating, sponsoring, or joining our Full Plate Club, you help provide nourishment, stability, and hope to hundreds of neighbors right here in our community.
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.