SALISBURY — Volunteers kept operations running as normal this Christmas at Rowan Helping Ministries, but more help is still needed, according to Executive Director Kyna Grubb.

All Jeannie’s Kitchen shifts were covered without problems, she said. This differs from last year, when the shelter experienced a last-minute Christmas meal cancellation.

“It’s awesome that we have people take the time out of their holiday to come volunteer,” said Grubb

But problems will arise at the start of the new year as folks return to work and busy schedules, she said. More than 30 meal slots were yet unmanned for January as of Dec. 26.

She said that the staff is often asked why shelter guests are not used to fill these open positions. The answer is simple, she said.

“Our goal is to help people find jobs that provide them enough income to afford housing,” she said. “We want our folks to be able to live on their own.”

The ministry does this in a number of carefully monitored, case-managed ways: job training, partnerships with outside organizations, disability counseling and more.

Requiring them to volunteer could take them away from tasks that could get them back on their feet, she said.

Grubb said the shelter is seeking both one-time volunteers as well as those who could commit to a particular day each month.

“We’d love to get groups who could ‘own’ specific volunteer activities,” she said. “… These could be civic groups, Sunday school groups or church groups — anyone, really.”

She said this commitment helps the staff with scheduling but also provides a time of fellowship for participants.

“We have a group that comes to serve in the morning, then they go out to lunch together,” Grubb said. “It’s just fun to serve together.”

Through its kitchen, Rowan Helping Ministries serves three meals a day. Breakfast requires a 5:15-7 a.m. time commitment with three to five people; lunch is a 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. commitment with six to 10; and dinner, a 5:30-8:30 p.m. commitment with five to seven.

Groups can bring food to prepare or bring prepared food.  Group leaders may also contact Jeannie’s Kitchen manager Cheryl Linder at clinder@rowanhelpingministries.org or 704-637-6838, Ext. 108, to arrange Rowan Helping Ministries providing the food to prepare.

Group leaders can reserve their volunteer slot at http://www.rowanhelpingministries.org/volunteer.

Other volunteers are needed for the ministry’s food pantry and crisis assistance center, though these positions require additional training and scheduling commitments.

“We love our volunteers. We couldn’t exist without out volunteers,” said Grubb. “Part of our mission statement is that we will serve through cooperative community action.”

For volunteer opportunities other than meals, contact Chris Resner at cresner@rowanhelpingministries.org or 704-637-6838, Ext. 112.

All volunteer activities are listed at http://www.rowanhelpingministries.org/volunteer and volunteers can sign up through this link.