Volunteer Opportunities From: Growing Hope

Volunteer: Chefs in the Garden- September 28th

Volunteer at Chefs in the Garden – Sept. 28, 2025

Growing Hope is thrilled to announce the return of our beloved Chefs in the Garden fundraiser, happening on Sunday, September 28th at the Growing Hope Urban Farm in Ypsilanti. Beginning at 5:00 PM, this special evening features a locally sourced, farm-to-table meal and raises vital support for our work to strengthen the local food system.

This year, we are honored to feature Chef Vince Henderson, a gifted culinary artist hailing from Ypsilanti. Chef Vince brings a powerful personal story and a passion for impact, describing himself as:

“A young man from Detroit who grew up not having many friends, which stemmed from moving from city to city. My story is what defines me a gentleman, a scholar, someone who believes in making an impact on the younger generation. I am here to tell you my story and how it shaped a troubled youth into a man with a promising future. I strive for success, knowing that failure is never an option.”

The evening will also include a silent auction and live entertainment to round out an unforgettable night among the food and flowers at the Growing Hope Urban Farm. 

Volunteer Roles Include:

Assisting the chef and kitchen staff

Greeting and checking in guests

Passing appetizers

Serving drinks and plated meals

Bussing tables and washing dishes

Event breakdown and cleanup

Volunteers will enjoy a lively evening filled with smiling faces and happy bellies—and yes, you’ll get to taste the incredible food! Come join us for a joyful night of service, community, and celebration.

Sign up today and be part of something delicious and meaningful.

Shifts:

Setup - 2-4:30 p.m. Serving/event help - 4:30-8 p.m. Cleanup - 8-10 p.m.

 

Program: Growing Hope, Events

Volunteer at Chefs in the Garden – Sept. 28, 2025

Growing Hope is thrilled to announce the return of our beloved Chefs in the Garden fundraiser, happening on Sunday, September 28th at the Growing Hope Urban Farm in Ypsilanti. Beginning at 5:00 PM, this special evening features a locally sourced, farm-to-table meal and raises vital support for our work to strengthen the local food system.

This year, we are honored to feature Chef Vince Henderson, a gifted culinary artist hailing from Ypsilanti. Chef Vince brings a powerful personal story and a passion for impact, describing himself as:

“A young man from Detroit who grew up not having many friends, which stemmed from moving from city to city. My story is what defines me a gentleman, a scholar, someone who believes in making an impact on the younger generation. I am here to tell you my story and how it shaped a troubled youth into a man with a promising future. I strive for success, knowing that failure is never an option.”

The evening will also include a silent auction and live entertainment to round out an unforgettable night among the food and flowers at the Growing Hope Urban Farm. 

Volunteer Roles Include:

Assisting the chef and kitchen staff

Greeting and checking in guests

Passing appetizers

Serving drinks and plated meals

Bussing tables and washing dishes

Event breakdown and cleanup

Volunteers will enjoy a lively evening filled with smiling faces and happy bellies—and yes, you’ll get to taste the incredible food! Come join us for a joyful night of service, community, and celebration.

Sign up today and be part of something delicious and meaningful.

Shifts:

Setup - 2-4:30 p.m. Serving/event help - 4:30-8 p.m. Cleanup - 8-10 p.m.

 

Program: Growing Hope, Events

Volunteer Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 48197

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: First Friday Food Court Support

Volunteer Opportunity: First Friday Food Court at Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace
16 S Washington St, Ypsilanti, MI

Join us for an exciting community event at the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace. The First Friday Food Court will highlight food entrepreneurs from our incubator kitchen. These local makers will be selling delicious dishes and sharing their culinary creations with the public.

We’re looking for volunteers to help make this event a success. Volunteers will assist with:

Event set up and clean up

Greeting guests and counting attendance

Supporting kitchen makers as needed

Helping with games and activities

Date: First Friday of the month in June, August, September, and October 
Time: Event is 5-8pm. Volunteer shifts are 3:30-6 and 6-8:30

This is a great opportunity to support small businesses, meet new people, and enjoy the energy of a vibrant community event.

Program: Growing Hope, MarketPlace Hall and Incubator Kitchen

Volunteer Opportunity: First Friday Food Court at Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace
16 S Washington St, Ypsilanti, MI

Join us for an exciting community event at the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace. The First Friday Food Court will highlight food entrepreneurs from our incubator kitchen. These local makers will be selling delicious dishes and sharing their culinary creations with the public.

We’re looking for volunteers to help make this event a success. Volunteers will assist with:

Event set up and clean up

Greeting guests and counting attendance

Supporting kitchen makers as needed

Helping with games and activities

Date: First Friday of the month in June, August, September, and October 
Time: Event is 5-8pm. Volunteer shifts are 3:30-6 and 6-8:30

This is a great opportunity to support small businesses, meet new people, and enjoy the energy of a vibrant community event.

Program: Growing Hope, MarketPlace Hall and Incubator Kitchen

Volunteer Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 48197

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Saturday Farmers Market Volunteer

As a Farmers Market Volunteer, you’ll assist with a variety of tasks, including working at the info booth, helping with customer counts, and supporting the smooth operation of the market. This is a great opportunity to engage with the community and contribute to the success of the market while gaining hands-on experience.

Program: Growing Hope, Ypsilanti Farmers Markets

As a Farmers Market Volunteer, you’ll assist with a variety of tasks, including working at the info booth, helping with customer counts, and supporting the smooth operation of the market. This is a great opportunity to engage with the community and contribute to the success of the market while gaining hands-on experience.

Program: Growing Hope, Ypsilanti Farmers Markets

Volunteer Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 48197

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: handy person help

Looking for a few folks with maintenance skills to lend a hand with some small projects at the Growing Hope MarketPlace Hall, Incubator Kitchen, and/or Growing Hope Urban Farm on an ongoing basis:

 

FRP repair in kitchen

drywall mud + finish

heavy duty shelf hanging

door hanging/repair

minor plumbing projects

Weeding and/or lawn mowing

 

 Please contact me directly, Dayna (dayna@growinghope.net), to set up a good time! We have most of the supplies and tools, but a walk-through and assessment would be a good idea! 

Program: Growing Hope, MarketPlace Hall and Incubator Kitchen

Looking for a few folks with maintenance skills to lend a hand with some small projects at the Growing Hope MarketPlace Hall, Incubator Kitchen, and/or Growing Hope Urban Farm on an ongoing basis:

 

FRP repair in kitchen

drywall mud + finish

heavy duty shelf hanging

door hanging/repair

minor plumbing projects

Weeding and/or lawn mowing

 

 Please contact me directly, Dayna (dayna@growinghope.net), to set up a good time! We have most of the supplies and tools, but a walk-through and assessment would be a good idea! 

Program: Growing Hope, MarketPlace Hall and Incubator Kitchen

Volunteer Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Flexible

Zip Code: 48197

Allow Groups: No