BFN’s volunteers are essential to our mission. Their contributions help us distribute healthy, high-quality food to 8,600 people each week through our pantries, home delivery programs, and partnerships with 30 local organizations. In 2024, 516 volunteers dedicated their time to BFN, contributing hours equivalent to 6.4 full-time employees. Their efforts ensure that BFN remains responsive to community needs, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment.
On the evening of February 5, 2025, Berkeley Food Network hosted a Volunteer Town Hall as part of its Strategic Planning process. Thirty dedicated volunteers gathered to share their experiences, insights, and ideas for shaping the future of BFN’s volunteer program and community impact. Volunteers discussed their perspectives on their impact as volunteers, what would deepen and support their engagement, and their visions for BFN’s future.
How does your role as a BFN volunteer create ripples in our community?
Volunteers highlighted their ability to foster meaningful relationships with community members, combat social isolation, and ensure dignified access to nutritious food. They emphasized their role in minimizing food waste, promoting inclusivity, normalizing food assistance, and motivating others to contribute to BFN’s mission.
What would make your volunteer experience more meaningful?
Suggestions for improving the volunteer experience included establishing clearer processes for checking members into the pantry and closing out volunteer shifts, offering better scheduling flexibility, providing additional training opportunities, organizing more volunteer community events, improving tools and resources, implementing a mentorship program, and enhancing member flow management.
How can we amplify our impact in the community?
Ideas for strengthening BFN’s reach included expanding outreach to underserved groups, providing more ready-to-eat food options, creating pathways for members to volunteer, partnering with local student groups, offering additional support services, improving the waiting experience for our members, and adding holiday schedule alternatives.
As we continue our Strategic Planning process, volunteer input will be invaluable in guiding the future of BFN. We appreciate everyone who participated in the Volunteer Town Hall and look forward to working together to build a stronger, more inclusive, and more effective food support network.