The Salvation Army USA review: Volunteering

My name is Deborah Eatmon and I am a volunteer at the Salvation Army of Southern Nevada located at 35 W Owens Avenue, Las Vegas Nevada 89106.

I have been registered as a volunteer since 03/2024. I am currently receiving food stamps in the state of Nevada and a new regulation has been put in place which requires that food stamp recipients to meet certain qualifications as listed below. Because I am not currently working or in a training program I have chosen to volunteer for 20 hours per week wherever I can in order to meet the work requirements as listed below. been I have signed up for Volunteer hours at the salvation army located at 35 Owens avenue and worked under the kitchen manager, Jeremy Woods, on several occasions. On a couple of occasions Mr. Woods has allowed me to help out with Laundry in the Housekeeping department when they are short staffed and the Kitchen has sufficient volunteers to cover his needs.

There has been some confusion on my ends as to when/how I am able to assist the Housekeeping department when I am not needed in the kitchen. I have helped out in the laundry/housekeeping department several times within the last 2 weeks with no problems and this helps me to fulfill my 20 hour per week work requirements without having to travel to far from where I am currently residing. Today, I signed up for 2 volunteer shifts under Jeremy Woods to Serve Breakfast at Amy's and also to Serve Lunch. When I reported to the kitchen this morning Jeremy advised that he did not need me and that I would not be needed until about 1:00pm. I went to the laundry department and asked a team lead if they needed me help and she said yes. (I didn't write her name down but she was very nice.) I began working there about 7:45 am and was told by a team lead (Chuck) to take lunch at 11:00am. I took lunch at 11:00 am and all was well, however, I forgot that Jeremy needed my help in the kitchen at 1:00pm and ended up helping out in Laundry until 1:30pm. (as directed by "Earlene" the supervisor of housekeeping earlier this morning).

I was told to report to Jeremy woods at the end of my shift and Jeremy was very upset that I hadn't shown up at 1:00pm as we discussed earlier that morning. Jeremy advised that I would never be able to volunteer again because I can't just decide to go to the laundry department on my own and help them out. There has some confusion on my behalf regarding when I can and cannot work in the laundry department when not needed in the kitchen. I believe the reason for his frustration to be that the laundry department does not have a system setup to record laundry volunteer hours and he therefore becomes responsible for keeping track of what department I actually work in but does not have a sufficient record keeping and reporting system in order to do so.

My intent was not to cause confusion for Jeremy or the Housekeeping department. I have had positive experiences volunteering for both departments which I don't mind doing as it helps me to fulfill my "work requirements" for SNAP assistance while I look for work.

I would like to know you can allow me to continue volunteering with the salvation army since this was an unintentional oversight on my behalf and not defiance of Jeremy's instructions. I enjoy volunteering with the local salvation army and am applying for employment opportunities with the Salvation Army via the salvation army website as well. I truly enjoy working with your organization and hope to continue my journey with The Salvation Army on a positive path.