Food Bank Volunteer Opportunities

We need your hands to meet demand!

Last year, 7,500 volunteers dedicated more than 57,000 total hours to the Food Bank – that’s the equivalent of 29 full-time employees! Volunteers are vital part of the Food Bank's efforts to help the 1 in 6 Alameda County residents we serve – including children, senior and entire families. Our warehouse and office are abuzz with hunger-relief activity, and your help is needed more than ever.

Here's how:

1. Weekday Food Sorting
   (By far, our greatest volunteer needs are on weekday mornings and early afternoons)
   
   Sort, screen, box and shelve food items, including fresh produce.
   Individuals and groups are needed to help sort food into boxes that are distributed to the Food Bank’s partner agencies. Individual volunteers need to attend a 1 hour orientation, held at 12:45 pm on Wednesdays.

   Groups—corporate, business, church, youth or other—are not required to attend a Wednesday orientation. Call (510) 635-3663 ext. 308 to sign up.
   
   

   IMPORTANT: If you are coming with minors we require a 1/5 ratio, one adult chaperone per five youth.
   The teachers/parents will be the supervisors for the group.
   
   
2. Weekend Food Sorting
   Shifts: 9 a.m. –- 12 noon and 1 -– 4 p.m.

   Volunteers needed to screen, sort, box and shelve food items, label cans and repackage produce. Groups and individuals, and children age 10 and over accompanied by adults are welcome. Call (510) 635-3663 ext. 308 to sign up.

   Note: Saturday volunteer opportunities usually fill at least 8-10 weeks in advance.

   Next Weekend Dates: Jan 21 & 28; Feb 4,11 & 25, March 24 & 31

3. Emergency Food Helpline
   Shifts: Monday-Friday, 9 am – Noon and 1 –- 4 pm.
   Our Emergency Food Helpline has been ringing off the hook! Volunteers are needed to staff the food helpline, especially those who are bi-lingual (Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese). The Food Helpline (1-800-870-3663) refers residents in need to food providers in their neighborhoods. You must be comfortable on the phone and have basic computer skills. Requires minimum 3-month commitment of at least one shift per week. For more information, call (510) 635-3663 ext. 308.
   
   
4. General Office Help
   General clerical help is an ongoing need for us. May include preparing mailings, phone calls, data entry, filing, and special projects. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.
   
   
5. Organize a Food Drive
   It’s easy, it’s fun and helps build muscles! We have been experiencing a shortage of donated food and need your help. Please consider organizing a Food Drive at your work, school, church or with your community group. We’ll supply everything you’ll need. Call 510-635-3663, ext. 318 or email us for more information.
   
   
6. Advocacy
   Get political and help address hunger at its root cause. Volunteers are invited to attend monthly meetings focused around food security issues at the local, state and national level or help with office work related to the Food Bank’s advocacy and education programs. Please email the advocacy team at advocate@accfb.org.

Want more information? Sign up to be sent more information.

WAIVER: Groups and individuals will need to complete a waiver form, which we will have at the start of your shift or orientation. Click here to download one ahead of time.

Questions? Or if you want to sign up for a group:
Please call the Volunteer Manager at (510) 635-3663 ext. 308.

Click the image below to see a photo collage (PDF file) of the 2011 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

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© Alameda County Community Food Bank
Emergency Food Helpline (for Alameda County residents): (800) 870-FOOD (3663)