Volunteer

To allow for effective instructions and full sessions, we ask all group and individual volunteers to arrive by the beginning of your session and to stay until the end of the session.

The health and safety of our community and the broader foodstream is our top priority. In addition to regular sanitation cycles and deep-cleaning in our facilities, we require all volunteers to wash their hands upon entering a Food Bank location, in advance of beginning a project.

If you are feeling sick, or displaying any symptoms of illness, please stay home. We rely on volunteer power to get the job done, but we need you to be healthy and operating at 100% to make that happen! Please do not put yourself or anyone else at risk by coming to volunteer when sick. If you are displaying signs of illness while on site at the Food Bank, one of our team members will ask you to return home.

Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Volunteers 12 years and older are welcome to volunteer during our regular sessions. We offer specific ‘Kids Day’ opportunities for volunteers who are 5-11 years old. Please see your location’s calendar for details. Note that volunteer opportunities take place in a warehouse setting that is not safe for infants or toddlers.

General volunteer opportunities take place in a warehouse setting that is not safe for infants or toddlers. We offer specific ‘Kids Day’ opportunities for volunteers who are 5-11 years old. Please see your location’s calendar for details.

The Food Bank recommends a ratio of 1 chaperone: 5 youth volunteers. Please note that these chaperones do count towards your total number of reserved volunteer spots.

Chaperones are required to remain with their volunteers throughout the session and follow all dress and safety guidelines for participation in the project.

Yes, you can. Please bring your documents to the session. Alternatively, you can use your personal volunteer portal to print out your hours.

The Food Bank is only able to support attorney-recommended and/or court-ordered community service for individuals charged with minor traffic violations, excluding DUIs or DWIs. We cannot accept service requirements for any other charges — and all community service requests must be reviewed and approved prior to volunteering with us.

Email the Volunteer Coordinator at your desired location to begin the review process (see contact info below). The Food Bank cannot verify volunteer hours for community service unless it has been reviewed and approved prior to the shift.

The Food Bank has a Social Media Ambassador program for folks who want to make a difference, virtually. Ambassadors use their personal social media to help raise awareness about food insecurity, and build support for the Food Bank’s work. Ambassadors receive a special monthly email with with Food Bank news, links, and suggested posts, which they can copy/paste or customize. Learn more at foodbankcenc.org/sma.

First, double check this webpage to see if your question is already addressed. If not, below this FAQ section you will find Volunteer Coordinator contact information for each Branch.  Our team spends most of their time away from their desks working with volunteers, so please have patience as they work to respond.