Volunteer

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.