Volunteer Cookathon Coordinator: Hutt Valley

Love bringing people together?

Lead our monthly Cookathon and help volunteers create nourishing meals for local whānau. Coordinate the kitchen, support your team, and help turn ingredients into practical care for families who need it most.

Cookathons are everything for Bellyful. They’re regular gatherings of volunteers in a community kitchen, cooking nourishing family meals – Beef Lasagne, Beef Bolognese Sauce, Macaroni Cheese, Tomato and Red Lentil Soup, and Mild Vegetarian Curry – that support local whānau.

Bellyful Hutt Valley is looking for a volunteer Cookathon Coordinator to lead our monthly Cookathon on the first Thursday of each month at Hutt City Baptist.

You'll lead a team of volunteers, with support from experienced volunteers and your Branch Coordinator, to ensure each Cookathon runs smoothly. This includes organising volunteers, ingredients and set-up, and creating a positive environment where people come together to cook meals for the community.

The time commitment is about five hours on the cook day, plus 1–2 hours of coordination as required. This volunteer role works best for someone who can make an ongoing commitment and be reliable.

You don't need to be a chef, just organised, practical and comfortable leading a team. Cookathons are busy, social and often a lot of fun. There's something special about seeing dozens (or hundreds) of meals lined up at the end of the day.

You'll help create a welcoming environment where volunteers come together to cook meals for local whānau.

You'll also have support from Bellyful NZ's Service Development Lead, who works alongside branches to share ideas, strengthen Cookathons and help make things easier in the kitchen.

What You'll Do You'll help: • Plan and coordinate Cookathons so they run smoothly • Organise volunteers and create a welcoming, inclusive environment • Ensure ingredients, equipment and recipes are ready to go • Support volunteers with clear roles and guidance on the day • Ensure meals are prepared safely and in line with Bellyful's health and safety programme, recipes and food system • Work alongside the wider branch team to plan meal production • Induct new Cookathon Volunteers

How It Works What matters most is clear communication, good organisation and creating a positive experience for volunteers and recipients.

You'll work closely with your Branch Coordinator, Recipient Coordinators and Cookathon Volunteers, with support from Bellyful NZ.

What We're Looking For We're looking for someone who: • Enjoys bringing people together and cares about supporting whānau • Is organised and practical • Communicates clearly and positively • Is comfortable leading a group of volunteers

Time Commitment Around 6–7 hours per month.