get involved

Volunteer &

How We Operate

Casserole Club is entirely volunteer-run. Here’s how we work, who we serve, and how you can be part of it.

five ways to help

Find Your Role

Home Cook

1-2 hours at home

Prepare one or more casseroles in your own kitchen using our monthly recipe. Drop off or arrange transport to our kitchen night.

Kitchen Volunteer

Tue evening (~3 hrs)

Join us on-site Tuesday to cook side dishes and desserts as a team! Great for groups!

Transport Team

Wed afternoon (~2 hrs)

Deliver food to our serving locations Wednesday afternoon.

Server

Wed evenings 6-8pm

Serve meals directly to shelter residents at Nebel Street or Rainbow Place. The most direct way to connect with those we serve.

Ingredient Donor

anytime

Donate food, pantry staples, or kitchen supplies. All in-kind donations are tax-deductible and deeply appreciated.

how we work

A Community Organizing Itself

Casserole Club has no paid staff. We’re coordinated entirely by a small group of dedicated volunteers who manage planning, communication, and logistics via our private Facebook group each month.

Each month follows the same rhythm: menu announced, volunteers sign up, food is cooked and collected, then delivered and served — always on the first Wednesday. It’s a simple model that has worked reliably for over 14 years.

Our Partner Agencies

Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH)

Nebel Street Emergency Men’s Shelter, Rockville

Our primary partner since 2012. MCCH operates Montgomery County’s largest emergency shelter for men experiencing homelessness.

Rainbow Place

Gaithersburg, MD

Provides safe housing and services for women experiencing homelessness. We’re proud to extend our meal service here.

Join Us on Facebook

Almost everything happens in our private Facebook group — monthly menus, sign-up sheets, recipe updates, and community conversation. It’s the best way to stay in the loop and sign up each month.

have questions?

How do I sign up for the first time?

Simply click the ‘Sign Up’ button in the hero section above or contact our volunteer coordinator directly. We’ll walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have. First-time volunteers are always welcome!

Do I need kitchen experience?

Not at all! While cooking experience is helpful, it’s not required. We provide detailed recipes with step-by-step instructions for home cooks. If you’re volunteering in the church kitchen, experienced volunteers will be there to help guide you.

What ingredients are needed?

Each month, we provide a complete ingredient list for our featured recipe. The list is typically posted 2-3 weeks before the meal date. You can either purchase ingredients yourself or donate funds to help cover the cost of ingredients.

Where is the drop-off location?

All meals should be dropped off at Pathways Baptist Church (200 W Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877) between 5:30-8:00 PM on cooking night, or directly at Nebel Street Shelter (11600 Nebel St., North Bethesda, MD 20852) by 5:30 PM on serving day (hot and ready to serve). If you need items picked up at an alternative date/time/location, please contact us and we will try to arrange.

What if I can't make it to a meal I signed up for?

We understand that life happens! Please contact our volunteer coordinator as soon as possible if you need to cancel. This allows us to find a replacement volunteer and ensure we have enough meals prepared.

Can I bring my family or friends to volunteer?

Absolutely! We love when families and groups volunteer together. It’s a wonderful way to teach children about community service and spend quality time together while making a difference.

Can I make a monetary donation instead of volunteering?

Yes! If your schedule does not permit your participation, monetary donations are always welcome so that we can purchase items needed for our monthly meals. Every contribution helps us serve more people in need.

Can our organization or company sponsor a meal?

Absolutely! Organizations, companies, or students that would like to do a volunteer event and sponsor the meal or partial meal for the month are welcome. We would be happy to work with you to design an event that best works with your team and the needs of the shelter. This is a great team-building opportunity!

Can our business or farm donate food items?

Yes, we would love to work with you! If you are involved with a local business or farm that would like to donate food items, please contact us. We would be glad to highlight your business and partnership in our communications and social media.

Can students earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours?

Yes! Montgomery County Public Schools allows us to provide Student Service Learning (SSL) hours to students who participate. To earn SSL hours, you can either prepare and deliver a dish (one casserole, dessert, or side dish = 3 hours), or participate in serving the meal at the Nebel Street Shelter (1 hour volunteered = 1 hour SSL).

Can I share my own recipes with the group?

Are dietary restrictions considered?

Yes! We try to accommodate various dietary needs. Each month’s recipe is designed to be nutritious and accessible. If you have questions about ingredients or substitutions, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator.