Cook with Heart. Connect with People.
Simpson Housing Services offers an inspiring way to volunteer in the state-of the-art kitchen at Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments. We keep shelter guests at the center and strengthen the community that gathers around every meal.
Here’s how Cook & Connect works:
- Chef-Led Menus:
Terri Leckas, a professional chef, plans meals, handle the shopping and ensure every dish is balanced, safe, and delicious—reflecting the cultures and preferences of our guests. You might even learn a few new skills from our professional chefs! - Defined Shifts, Less Stress:
Volunteers sign up for set meal-service shifts, making it easier to commit time and recruit friends. The result? More time for connection. More dignity for guests. More enjoyment for volunteers. - Safety and Support:
Every shift includes staff presence to provide guidance on kitchen equipment, sanitation, and food safety. - Together We Make it Possible:
We ask for each volunteer and/or meal group to consider making a donation to support Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments operations and food costs.
Click the button below to make a donation:
To donate with a check, payable to Simpson Housing Services, send to:
Attn: Development Office
Simpson Housing Services
160 Glenwood Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Please email us with questions.
Volunteer Shift Details:
- Parking: On-site parking is available, but we always encourage volunteers to carpool.
- Maximum of 6 volunteers
- Ideal group size is 3-4
- Minimum age: 10 years old. Volunteers ages 10-14 require a 1:1 adult to kid ratio in your group. Volunteers ages 15-18 require at least 1 adult over the age of 21.
- Volunteers must be registered to volunteer in order to enter the building
To donate with a check, payable to Simpson Housing Services, send to:
Attn: Development Office
Simpson Housing Services
160 Glenwood Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Please email us with questions.
They Volunteer “One Loaf at a Time”
For Peter and Amy N., volunteering isn’t something they fit into their lives—it’s something that has shaped their lives.
A few times each month, Peter and Amy stop by Turtle Bread in Minneapolis to collect donated loaves and pastries. Back at the shelter, they slice the bread for toast and sandwiches and arrange pastry trays for the weekends. It’s not glamorous work, but that’s never been the point. What matters is that guests have good bread: baguettes with soup, toast in the morning, something comforting and familiar.
Amy sums it up best: Having more doesn’t make someone more valuable, just more privileged. Around the world, and right here at home, people share the same basic needs: love, food, safety, shelter. By meeting those needs, Simpson Housing Services gives people the foundation they need to grow—and for Peter and Amy, being part of that work has enriched their lives for nearly 30 years and counting.
Ready to Volunteer?
Cook On-Call
Be available as need arises to work alongside a professional chef to create nutritious meals for guests of Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments.
