Welcome all New Volunteers!

By committing to prepare and bring a meal (Dinner), you can help up to 30 people fulfill their day with a comforting and warm meal. 

Our Meal Service Program is the largest and most effective program we have at Tender Mercies. Volunteers from all over the Tri-state help our organization by committing to become the leader of a meal service team that prepares a meal outside of our facility and then brings them to our residencies to serve a specific household of residents. Our Volunteer groups prepare these meals at home, at schools or their church, at community centers, businesses, or order catering from their favorite restaurants. They then bring those meals to serve one building or they can choose to serve more than one building at Tender Mercies.

If your group would like to serve more than one building on a specific day the team leader is the only person responsible for reserving both buildings. Once the Volunteer Services Coordinator has confirmed the details of your team reservation with the group leader, the Volunteer Services Coordindator will send the team leader a link for the rest of the team to sign waivers. Volunteers under the age of 18 do not need to fill out a waiver as they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or an adult leader from the teams affilliated organization. The adult leader must register and notify the Volunteer Services Coordinator how many additional youths will be joining the event.

Responsible Meal Service Volunteer Protocols:

1. Volunteers are required to register ahead of time so that they have reviewed and signed the electronic waiver.
2. Volunteers must check in with RSW or with Volunteer Services Coordinator.
3. Volunteers must wear gloves when handling food(s).
4. When volunteers are done serving, the remaining food(s) must be individual plated and covered with plastic wrap or foil, or in to-go containers so that residents can collect meals on their own without contamination. (Serve Safe)

Contact Info: 

If you have any further issues please call the Volunteer Services Coordinator at: 513-639-7027 or

Harkavy Hall at 513-639-7049

Dana Hall at 513-639-7045

Parking for Meal Service Program at Dana Hall or Harkavy Hall: Tender Mercies is currently renovating one of its buildings on 12th street and now has limited parking for all volunteers. Because of this, directions are as follows:

When driving on Central Avenue, Tender Mercies is located in between Baldwin Alley and Doerr Alley. Once you have arrived you will need to find a marked "TM" parking space in the Ferguson Square lot behind Tender Mercies and call 513-639-7045 to be let into the gated lot.

When you have found a parking space please call the RSW of the Dana Hall to be let inside of the gate at 513-539-7045. They will also provide you with a cart if you need help bringing items inside. You are welcome to pull your car into the gated lot to unload items onto the cart or park if there are spaces available. Please do not block the parking lot and please do not park in a non TM marked parking space.