Volunteers play a key role in our operation’s ability to meet our mission. As a volunteer you may do anything from sorting recovered foods, cooking in our Hub kitchen, assembling food boxes and bags for our partners, or interacting with community members at our food pantries. All these shifts and opportunities align with the common goal of enhancing the nutritional security of our neighbors and keeping everyone healthy.
Volunteer Orientation – Community members interested in volunteering regularly should attend a Volunteer Orientation. Held monthly on the second Wednesday at 4:00pm, the orientation provides an overview of of BFN’s mission, values, and programs. Register here for the next session to be held on Wednesday, April 12th from 4:00-5:30 pm.
Group Volunteering– Group volunteer opportunities will be opening up in late Summer 2023. Please fill out this inquiry formto be notified when volunteer group opportunities open up again.
Pantry
During this 3-hour shift you will first stock and organize our pantry, then assist clients in selecting and packing groceries. You can choose to volunteer at our onsite pantry, located at our warehouse, or at one of our mobile pantries located at partner sites in the community. If you like interacting with people in a fast-paced environment, this is the shift for you!
Mobile Pantry volunteer shifts vary.
Onsite Pantry volunteer shifts are:
Tuesdays and Thursdays:
10:30AM-1PM, 12:45-3:30PM, 4:30-7:30PM
Saturdays:
9:30AM-1PM
Delivery Shifts
Drive BFN’s small van or a personal car, depending on the size of the distribution, to one of our distribution sites! Connect with onsite staff, help unload, return to BFN. This should take under 45 minutes. Please be sure your driver’s license is on file with us.
Hub Kitchen
Help us cook vegetarian meals for our community members. These meals are cooked, packaged, and frozen for distribution at our various pantries and deliveries throughout the week. This shift requires expertise in cooking!
Are you interested in volunteering in the kitchen? We are always looking for experienced, regular volunteers to help out. Please fill out our Hub Kitchen Volunteer Waitlist form and our Hub Kitchen Manager will get back to you shortly!
Warehouse
General Warehouse
During this 2-hour shift, you will assemble grocery bags for agency partners, sort produce, process recovered food, or repackage bulk items. If you like non-stop tasks until the work is done and the warehouse is clean — this is the shift for you!
Homebound Delivery
We’re piloting a Homebound Delivery program to get food into the community to those who need food but can’t access one of our distribution sites. During this shift, you will pack custom boxes for our homebound clients using our Hub Kitchen meals, dairy, eggs, protein, and shelf-stable goods.
Food Recovery
In this shift, you will either help sort through rescued food, repackage bulk recovered foods, or label and stock everything in various locations. This shift is great for people who are passionate about eliminating food waste!
Group Volunteering
Returning to BFN Summer 2023!
Employers now see the benefits of engaging their staff outside of the office to support their community and charitable causes. Group volunteer events allow employees to engage more personally, break down the traditional workplace structure, connect to the nearby community, support those in need, and share an experience to take back to the office. Group volunteering is also a great way to unite community organizations, religious groups, or student clubs or to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary.
This group volunteer program will begin in the Summer of 2023 and will be available for six to twelve people on Fridays and Saturdays. Group volunteer shifts may include repackaging of bulk dry food items, packaging shelf-stable grocery bags, and other warehouse and grounds duties.
Please fill out this inquiry form to be notified when volunteer group opportunities open up.
Volunteer Testimonials
"[Volunteering at the pantry] is gratifying because food plays such a central role in people’s comfort and happiness and feeling safe. For most people who come here, it feels like shopping at a store!"
"You get to know people on a personal level. They bring their kids, they bring their dogs, they come on their bicycles, sometimes they come in cars. You get a flavor of their lives."
Volunteer FAQ
How do I sign up for regular shifts?
If you’d like to sign up to be a regular on a specific shift, please email volunteer@berkeleyfoodnetwork.org.
I want to volunteer with a big group. How can I do this?
BFN will work with you to accommodate smaller groups or groups who are willing to be separated across shifts and days. Please contact volunteer@berkeleyfoodnetwork.org if you are interested in organizing a group.
How old do I have to be?
BFN Volunteer opportunities are only available to individuals over the age of 12. For minors, volunteers 12-15 years old may volunteer with an adult present on the same shift. Minors 16-17 years old can volunteer on their own with the signature of their guardian on the volunteer waiver.
Do you accept volunteer hours requests?
BFN welcomes folks who need to complete hours for school, work, and/or traffic court. At this time, we are not accepting hours for individuals filling requirements for criminal court. If you need hours for any of the approved purposes, please reach out to volunteer@berkeleyfoodnetwork.org before your first shift with the amount of hours you need & purpose so we can track them for you!