1. Do I need to speak French?
No! While French speaking ability is a valuable skill, it is not necessary to volunteer. Most of our volunteers speak English, and the French vocabulary needed for Food Distribution is minimal.
2. What are the goals of Serve the City?
Our first goal is to empower our volunteers, giving them a chance to make a direct impact on Paris, and giving them a community of others who share the same eagerness to volunteer. Our second goal is to assist the marginalized of Paris, giving them every resource we can to aid them.
3. Where are Serve the City’s volunteers from?
Our volunteers come from all around the world, and with the majority coming from English speaking countries or countries in the Middle East.
4. What demographics are Serve the City working with?
The demographics of our beneficiaries varies based on the volunteering activity. For example, our football team consists mostly of teen boys from West African nations, while our Food Distribution benefits all homeless groups in Paris.
5. How does Serve the City get food?
We source all resources for Food Distribution ourselves and through our partnership with Prêt á Manger. Each Monday night, many of our volunteers come to Impact Café to make sandwiches, which will be given out during Food Distribution the next day.
6. How is the 10€ paid by a volunteer used?
The 10€ goes towards assisting in the operational costs of Serve the City, such as buying food and replacing materials for Food Distribution, getting equipment and clothes for our football team, and putting on events for the community.
7. How is Serve the City related to Impact Café?
Serve the City is part owner of Impact Café, and the Café serves as our headquarters. Having a space directly in the heart of Paris gives us easy access to helping the marginalized within the city.
8. What does the average day look like for a volunteer?
As a volunteer, you can sign up for as many or as few volunteering activities as you want. Typically, our volunteering activities take 2 hours, and once they are over, you’re free for the day.
9. Do I need to bring anything for Food Distribution?
No, bring only your eagerness to help!
10. How long do Food Distribution routes take?
Food Distribution is scheduled for two hours, and while some routes are quicker, it is rare for a route to take longer than two hours.
11. Will I need to take public transportation for Food Distribution?
This varies upon the route. For example, our Chatelet route is nearby our meeting location at Impact Café and Coworking, and we walk the route. For a farther route, such as our Porte de la Chapelle route, transportation will be taken, but still be ready to walk! In addition, our route leaders can inform you at Food Distribution if public transportation will be taken.
12. Are the Food Distribution routes safe?
Our food distribution routes are all safe, albeit we preface each distribution route with a few rules to minimize the risk of an unsafe situation.
13. What if I only speak some French or some English, can I still go to Language Exchange?
Yes! Many of our beneficiaries speak French or English near an A2 level proficiency, so if you are at that level, feel free to come. The goal of our language exchanges is to give practice with live speakers in a learning environment, therefore any ability in the target language is helpful. It can also be practice for yourself!
14. Why don’t I see more homeless women and children on streets ?
Women and children are significantly more vulnerable when living on the streets. To protect themselves from violence, women often go to great lengths to hide or disguise their presence. Given the increased risks they face, the government has a heightened duty of care towards them. As a result, women and children are given priority in the allocation of shelter and support services.
15. How can I get started?
To get started, register on our website, then download the ServeNow app from the app store and create an account, as that is our hub for volunteering. From there, sign up for any one of our activities, and you’re ready to volunteer!