Mother’s Cupboard is looking for new volunteer cooks and servers to help provide meals to those in need in the community.

On Feb. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. Mother’s Cupboard chef Sherry Houze will offer a training session for new and current cooks/servers.

The training will focus on kitchen procedures, food safety, how to cook for 100 people or more and how to use commercial kitchen equipment, including a steamer and a convection oven.

“A lot of people are intimidated by using (the equipment) because they’re not familiar with that kind of restaurant equipment. This is industrial, restaurant equipment,” Houze said.

Along with going over how to use the new industrial kitchen equipment, Houze intends to go over proper kitchen hygiene procedures, the health department rules and regulations and making sure volunteers know how to properly store items in the refrigerator.

Houze said ideally Mother’s Cupboard would like to have one volunteer cook and assistant cook for each day. Shifts begin at 1 p.m. with servers and other volunteers arriving around 3:30 p.m.

Experience is not required to be a cook at Mother’s Cupboard. Houze trains and guides each cook.

“I don’t throw somebody in there and say ‘Hey, cook for 150 people.’ A lot of people are intimidated by that,” Houze said.

Houze plans out menus a week ahead of time. If a person does not have experience as a cook, Houze will usually have them prepare “easy” menus, like soup and sandwiches. Then as the volunteer gains more experience, Houze will have them cook from recipes, she said.

Volunteers are supervised each shift.

Houze said people should consider volunteering at Mother’s Cupboard because it is a way to give back to the community.

“Volunteerism is a good way for you to build your own self confidence and just knowing the satisfaction that you’re providing a service that is much needed and appreciated. Plus they get to have camaraderie with other people and get engaged in the community,” she said.

“We’re (Mother’s Cupboard) not only servicing those less fortunate than we are, as food goes and stuff, but we also provide that kind of service to our volunteers that helps them get engaged, gives them a resource to find out what it’s like to be able to serve and give back to your community.”

Mother’s Cupboard served more than 47,000 meals last year, according to their press release. They also distribute canned goods, dairy products, produce and desserts as donations allow.

They average serving 150 meals a day. Meals are served with no questions asked, Houze said.