
You can help eliminate hunger in our community with just a few hours of your time.
Every time you volunteer with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, you know that you have helped to provide healthy, nutritious food to our community. There are many different ways to volunteer—whether as an individual, small group or organization.
At this time, we are unable to accept and will not document court-ordered, attorney-advised or other legal-related volunteering.
Register to Volunteer
After a quick registration process, you can log in and view our upcoming openings. Click any item on the calendar to view open spaces for each shift. Be sure to register yourself or your group for the shift you want and start recruiting your team. Our volunteer shifts go quickly! If you are interested in a future date that is not yet on our calendar, please contact the Volunteer Department to request scheduling assistance.
Volunteer Opportunities and Assignments
You and/or your group are welcome to volunteer for a variety of tasks related to the mission of leading the effort to eliminate hunger in our community. You can choose to volunteer for a one-time shift or even weekly, monthly or annually. Click below to learn more about the requirements and available tasks:
Basic volunteer assignments are one-time shifts that require little or no advanced preparation but do require advanced registration.
Most groups and individuals coming to the Foodbank to volunteer are in this category.
Mobile Pantry Program
Mobile Pantry volunteers help distribute food in underserved neighborhoods by assisting with unloading the mobile pantry truck and distributing pre-packaged bags of food. This task is done under the supervision of a staff person or a trained Volunteer Team Leader. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance volunteers work in the warehouse and must be at least 16 years old. Volunteers 12-15 of age must be accompanied by an adult. Groups and individuals assigned to Quality Assurance will work on one or more of these tasks, depending on current needs: sorting non-perishable food items, packing food for the mobile pantry, preparing youth-friendly food bags for the Backpack Program, repacking bulk food, sanitation and cleanliness of the warehouse.
Special Events
We often need volunteers to assist with fundraising events such as Mayflower Marathon or large annual food drives. There are also special and community events opportunities for Regular volunteers and Leadership volunteers, in addition to the Basic volunteer assignments. Volunteer age minimums may be established for any special or community event activity. Adult guardian supervision will also be required for youth volunteers.
Youth and Family Nights
These events occur every Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm and are reserved for families with children ages 6 to 11. All children at a Youth and Family Night must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteer tasks may include sorting or packing food, as well as a warehouse tour to introduce your child to the work of the Foodbank. This is a great opportunity to teach children the importance of giving back to your community.
There are no volunteer opportunities for youth under 6 years of age, however, Foodbank tours are available and can be requested here.
Ongoing volunteer assignments are volunteer opportunities which can be weekly, monthly, annually or even daily.
These assignments generally need some specialized skill or training and require a regular commitment to performing the tasks. Contact us to arrange for an interview if you are interested in these regular on-going volunteer opportunities. Once trained, volunteers will have online access to regular volunteer events/assignments.
Child Nutrition Backpack Program Delivery
This is an ongoing bi-weekly volunteer shift to deliver bags of food to local schools. Requires repeated lifting of 40-50 containers during 4 hour delivery shift; will utilize Foodbank truck; deliveries must be made during regular school hours; volunteers must have valid driver’s license in-good-standing.
Non-CDL Truck Driver
This is an ongoing daily, weekly, or bi-weekly volunteer shift to pick up corporate food donations, and/or deliver bags of food to local schools. May require repeated lifting of 40-50 pound containers during the shift; could utilize Foodbank truck or your own vehicle; if delivering backpacks, deliveries must be made during regular school hours; volunteers must have valid driver’s license in-good-standing.
Receptionist/Switchboard Assistant
Answer phones, help visitors with food donation deliveries, operate 5 phone line communication system. This volunteer will have proper skills and ability to provide superior customer service to all callers and visitors.
Office Assistant
There are a variety of office functions and departments where volunteers work regular shifts to help with data entry, organization, compliance, consumer and donor contact, and other functions. The Volunteer Department staff has a current list to review during your interview.
Special Events
Assist with multiple aspects of community and special event preparation and execution. Marketing department staff will interview volunteers interested in on-going event assignments.
Warehouse Customer Service
These regular volunteer assignments include food drive check-in, agency marketplace weigh station, light maintenance crew, and more. These volunteers work regular shifts in the warehouse along with Foodbank staff to ensure proper customer service to food donors, community groups, and agencies. The Volunteer Department staff has a current list of warehouse customer service assignments to review during your interview.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
To provide another way to increase consumer’s food security, these volunteers will pass along information and sign clients up for SNAP. Volunteers will visit Partner Agencies, accompany a Mobile Pantry crew, staff the Foodbank’s Friday morning USDA distribution pantry, or make calls to fill-out SNAP applications with clients over the phone.
Leadership volunteer assignments require experience, an on-going commitment to the Foodbank’s mission.
Regular shift assignments, some training and annual refresher training, and a monthly Team Leader meeting are required. These volunteers are peer leaders for every task at the Foodbank; their involvement and on-going commitment make eliminating hunger a possibility in our community. If you are interested in becoming a Team Leader, start with Basic or Regular Assignment volunteering and contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Stephanie Cuffee at scuffee@foodbankonline.org to express your interest.
Volunteer Team Leader
These volunteers have logged hundreds of hours as basic and regular volunteers, completed training in task and group management, and commit to regular monthly meetings and leadership shifts. Team Leaders supervise evening and weekend warehouse work, special events and some warehouse functions.
Advisory Council
The volunteer advisory council meets regularly to examine trends in volunteerism and foodbanking and how each impacts our volunteer department. This volunteer/staff collaborative group sets procedure and provides oversight for the volunteer functions at the Foodbank. Additionally, each program area at the Foodbank has its own advisory council partnership.
Mobile Pantry Program
The Mobile Pantry shift is an outdoor event that helps provide food access in underserved neighborhoods. Volunteers assist with unloading the mobile pantry truck and distributing a variety of foods to individuals and families. This task is done under the supervision of a staff person or a trained Volunteer Team Leader.
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance may lead you or your group to any of these fulfilling roles: sorting non-perishable food items, packing food for a Mobile Pantry, preparing youth-friendly food bags for the Backpack Program, repacking bulk food, or sanitizing and cleaning the warehouse.
Special Events
We often need volunteers to assist with fundraising events such as Mayflower Marathon or large annual food drives, as well as community events. Volunteer age minimums may be established for any special or community event activity. Adult guardian supervision will also be required for youth volunteers.
Receptionist Assistant
Would you like to apply your skills and ability to provide superior customer service to the Foodbank’s callers and visitors? You can volunteer by answering phones, helping visitors with food donation deliveries and operating a five-phone-line communication system. Contact us to arrange for an interview.
Office Assistant
There are a variety of office functions and departments in which you may work regular shifts to assist with data entry, organization, compliance, consumer and donor contact and other functions. Learn more about available opportunities during the time of your interview. Contact us to arrange for an interview.
Warehouse Customer Service
These regular volunteer assignments include food drive check-in, agency marketplace weigh station, light maintenance crew and more. These volunteers work regular shifts in the warehouse along with Foodbank staff to ensure proper customer service to food donors, community groups and agencies.Learn more about available opportunities during the time of your interview.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Are you interesting in providing education and resources for individuals to access food? You can share information and assist individuals with signing up for SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). Volunteers will visit Partner Agencies, accompany a Mobile Pantry crew or make phone calls to completeSNAP applications with clients over the phone.
Leadership Volunteer Assignments
Volunteer Team Leader
Are you committed to volunteering your time regularly to strengthen and support the Foodbank’s mission? You could become a Volunteer Team Leader! Requirements include regular shift assignments, training in task and group management and a monthly Team Leader meeting. These volunteers are peer leaders and supervise evening and weekend warehouse work, special events and some warehouse functions.If you are interested in becoming a Team Leader, start with Basic or Regular Assignment volunteering and contact Stephanie Cuffee, Volunteer Coordinator, to express your interest.
Advisory Council
The Volunteer Advisory Council meets regularly to examine trends in volunteerism and food banking and how each impacts our Volunteer Department. This volunteer/staff collaborative group sets procedure and provides oversight for the volunteer functions at the Foodbank. Additionally, each program area at the Foodbank has its own advisory council partnership.
If you have questions or need help navigating Volunteer Hub, please connect with Volunteer Department staff:
Stephanie Cuffee, Volunteer Coordinator
(757) 314-4559 or scuffee@foodbankonline.org
Amari Hinton, Volunteer Coordinator
(757) 269-9569 or ahinton@foodbankonline.org
Teri Zurfluh, Regional Outreach Coordinator - Western Tidewater Branch
(757) 641-0682 or tzurfluh@foodbankonline.org
Leslie Parker, ES Donor & Community Impact Coodinator
(757) 787-2557or lhart@foodbankonline.org
A few hours are all it takes to help eliminate hunger in our community.
Every time you volunteer with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, you know that you have helped put food on the table of our neighbors in need. Volunteers are critical in our efforts to provide healthy, nutritious food to our community, so please consider helping out as an individual, small group or organization.
Volunteer Opportunities & Assignments
Individuals and groups are welcome to volunteer for a variety of tasks related to the mission of eliminating hunger. Our volunteer assignments fall into one of three types, described below. Click on the following links to learn more about the requirements and available tasks:
Basic volunteer assignments are one-time shifts that require little or no advanced preparation but do require advanced registration.
Most groups and individuals coming to the Foodbank to volunteer are in this category.
Mobile Pantry Program
Mobile Pantry volunteers help distribute food in underserved neighborhoods by assisting with unloading the mobile pantry truck and distributing pre-packaged bags of food. This task is done under the supervision of a staff person or a trained Volunteer Team Leader. During our response to COVID-19 all volunteers must be at least 18 years old. We strongly discourage older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions who might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance volunteers work in the warehouse and, during our response to COVID-19, must be at least 18 years old. We strongly discourage older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions who might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Groups and individuals assigned to Quality Assurance will work on one or more of these tasks, depending on current needs: sorting non-perishable food items, packing food for the mobile pantry, preparing youth-friendly food bags for the Backpack Program, repacking bulk food, sanitation and cleanliness of the warehouse.
Special Events
We often need volunteers to assist with fundraising events such as Mayflower Marathon or large annual food drives. There are also special and community events opportunities for Regular volunteers and Leadership volunteers, in addition to the Basic volunteer assignments. Volunteer age minimums may be established for any special or community event activity. Adult guardian supervision will also be required for youth volunteers.
Youth and Family Nights
This is the only volunteer opportunity available for youth ages 6–11, which is held the third Monday and second and fourth Thursday of every month. When a holiday falls on the third Monday, Youth and Family night will be rescheduled for another Monday evening. When a holiday falls on the second or fourth Thursday, the shift is cancelled. All children at a Youth and Family Night must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteer tasks may include sorting or packing food, as well as a warehouse tour to introduce your child to the work of the Foodbank. This is a great opportunity to teach the importance of giving back to your community.
There are no volunteer opportunities for youth under 6 years of age, however, Foodbank tours are available and can be requested here.
Ongoing volunteer assignments are volunteer opportunities which can be weekly, monthly, annually or even daily.
These assignments generally need some specialized skill or training and require a regular commitment to performing the tasks. Contact us to arrange for an interview if you are interested in these regular on-going volunteer opportunities. Once trained, volunteers will have online access to regular volunteer events/assignments.
Child Nutrition Backpack Program Delivery
This is an ongoing bi-weekly volunteer shift to deliver bags of food to local schools. Requires repeated lifting of 40-50 containers during 4 hour delivery shift; will utilize Foodbank truck; deliveries must be made during regular school hours; volunteers must have valid driver’s license in-good-standing.
Non-CDL Truck Driver
This is an ongoing daily, weekly, or bi-weekly volunteer shift to pick up corporate food donations, and/or deliver bags of food to local schools. May require repeated lifting of 40-50 pound containers during the shift; could utilize Foodbank truck or your own vehicle; if delivering backpacks, deliveries must be made during regular school hours; volunteers must have valid driver’s license in-good-standing.
Receptionist/Switchboard Assistant
Answer phones, help visitors with food donation deliveries, operate 5 phone line communication system. This volunteer will have proper skills and ability to provide superior customer service to all callers and visitors.
Office Assistant
There are a variety of office functions and departments where volunteers work regular shifts to help with data entry, organization, compliance, consumer and donor contact, and other functions. The Volunteer Department staff has a current list to review during your interview.
Special Events
Assist with multiple aspects of community and special event preparation and execution. Marketing department staff will interview volunteers interested in on-going event assignments.
Warehouse Customer Service
These regular volunteer assignments include food drive check-in, agency marketplace weigh station, light maintenance crew, and more. These volunteers work regular shifts in the warehouse along with Foodbank staff to ensure proper customer service to food donors, community groups, and agencies. The Volunteer Department staff has a current list of warehouse customer service assignments to review during your interview.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
To provide another way to increase consumer’s food security, these volunteers will pass along information and sign clients up for SNAP. Volunteers will visit Partner Agencies, accompany a Mobile Pantry crew, staff the Foodbank’s Friday morning USDA distribution pantry, or make calls to fill-out SNAP applications with clients over the phone.
Leadership volunteer assignments require experience, an on-going commitment to the Foodbank’s mission.
Regular shift assignments, some training and annual refresher training, and a monthly Team Leader meeting are required. These volunteers are peer leaders for every task at the Foodbank; their involvement and on-going commitment make eliminating hunger a possibility in our community. If you are interested in becoming a Team Leader, start with Basic or Regular Assignment volunteering and contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Walter Gray at wgray@foodbankonline.org to express your interest.
Volunteer Team Leader
These volunteers have logged hundreds of hours as basic and regular volunteers, completed training in task and group management, and commit to regular monthly meetings and leadership shifts. Team Leaders supervise evening and weekend warehouse work, special events and some warehouse functions.
Advisory Council
The volunteer advisory council meets regularly to examine trends in volunteerism and foodbanking and how each impacts our volunteer department. This volunteer/staff collaborative group sets procedure and provides oversight for the volunteer functions at the Foodbank. Additionally, each program area at the Foodbank has its own advisory council partnership.
Register to Volunteer
After a quick registration process you’ll be able to login and view our upcoming openings. Please click any item on the calendar to see how many spaces are open for any given shift. Be sure to register yourself or your group for the shift you want and start recruiting your team. Our volunteer shifts go quickly! If you are interested in a future date that is not yet on our calendar, please contact the Volunteer Department to request scheduling assistance.
Volunteer Hub- Southeastern VirginiaVolunteer Hub- Eastern ShoreVolunteer Hub- Western Tidewater
Notifications:
We do not accept and will not document court-ordered, attorney-advised or other legal-related volunteering
The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is a fragrance-free workplace. Thank you for not wearing any of the following during your visit: cologne, after shave lotion, perfume, perfumed hand lotion, fragranced hair products, and/or similar products. Our chemically-sensitive staff, volunteers and clients thank you.
Questions?
If you have questions or need help navigating Volunteer Hub, please call the Volunteer Department staff:
Stephanie Cuffee, Volunteer Coordinator
757-314-4559 or scuffee@foodbankonline.org
Stephanie Gordon, Volunteer Manager
757-314-4576 or stgordon@foodbankonline.org