Volunteer Overview

The Food Bank of South Jersey was started by volunteers and volunteers still help the Food Bank of South Jersey to feed hungry southern New Jersey residents today. The Food Bank of South Jersey has help from over 2,800 individual and group volunteers. They do it all for the same reason: they want to help people in need.

Join the front lines of the fight against hunger--become a Food Bank of South Jersey volunteer! And for up to 3 specialized announcements per month, join our mobile volunteer list to the right.

Orientations occur at the Food Bank on the second Wednesday of every month at 6pm and last about an hour. These informal meetings are meant to familiarize our volunteers with the various positions available and the warehouse.  The next available orientations will be held on June 13th and July 11th. Be sure to wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. If you cannot make it to an orientation, do not fret! Contact Sabine Mehnert, Community Engagement Coordinator, at smehnert@foodbanksj.org to sign up or make other arrangements. Please note that space is limited to 40 people for orientations. You must RSVP to orientation prior to the training.

***Our volunteers at FBSJ often work in the heart of our operation, the distribution center. This bustling warehouse regularly ships, packs, and unloads product through wide-open bay doors. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather!***

Be aware that some volunteer work may require the lifting of boxes that weigh 25 pounds or more, stretching, reaching or bending.  Please take into account these possible activities in relation to your personal health concerns when considering volunteering at the Food Bank of South Jersey.

Who Can Volunteer?

We accept individuals, families, groups, corporate groups, and those needing to fulfill required or community service hours. All volunteers must be scheduled in advance, and we do not currently offer volunteer opportunities on weekends or during evenings. Volunteers must be over 8 years of age, and children 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when volunteering at the Food Bank of South Jersey. Individuals and families must attend a mandatory volunteer orientation.

Volunteer Opportunities

Food Bank of South Jersey volunteers help by...

Sorting

Donated non-perishable food that comes from supermarkets, food drives and food donors must be checked for expiration and quality before they can be put on our Marketplace shelves. This activity takes place in the warehouse and requires that volunteers wear close-toed shoes.

Stocking

We organize and replenish shelves in our Marketplace area where member agencies shop for food. This activity takes place in the warehouse and requires that volunteers wear close-toed shoes.

Packing

Food Bank of South Jersey has several ongoing packing projects such as Twilight Harvest, Kidzpack, Mother's Day/Father's Day gift bags, and creating toiletry kits that are distributed to our member food pantries throughout the year. This activity takes place in the warehouse and requires that volunteers wear close-toed shoes.

Office Work

We need periodic help in our front office with bulk mailings, making calls, data entry, photocopying, scanning, and filing.

Warehouse Assistance

Cleaning inside and outside the Food Bank is always needed, along with trash removal and sweeping. This activity takes place in the warehouse and requires that volunteers wear close-toed shoes.

Transportation Assistance

Help our truck and van drivers with food pickups and deliveries. For this job, volunteers must be prepared to lift heavy objects and wear close-toed shoes.

Special Events

Food Bank of South Jersey fund-raising special events are held throughout the year. Volunteers are needed to assist staff at these events.

Speaker's Bureau

Food Bank of South Jersey gets many requests to talk about our mission before various groups. If you are comfortable with public speaking, we will train you to help spread the word about hunger and what we are trying to do to fight it.

Educating

The Food Bank of South Jersey is always looking for individuals with culinary and nutrition backgrounds to help educate children, teenagers, families, and seniors through our Cooking Matters program. For more information please contact the Nutrition Education Coordinator, Charmella Roark at croark@foodbanksj.org.

Volunteer Applications

Individuals

To volunteer as an individual, click here to fill out an online application. Be sure to include your email address. Once your application is received, you will be invited via email to a mandatory orientation.

Families

To volunteer as a family, click here to fill out an online application. Be sure to include your email address. Once your application is received, you will be invited via email to a mandatory orientation.

If you are bringing children 15 years or younger, you must apply as a family. Anyone 16 or older may apply as an individual and come by themselves.

Groups

Scout troops, school, camp, church and civic groups are all an important part of our volunteer community. To volunteer as a group, click here to download an application. Be sure to include your email address. Once your application is received, you will be contacted via email to schedule a volunteer workday. It will include a tour of the Food Bank.

Corporate Groups

Volunteering at the Food Bank of South Jersey is a great way for your company to increase employee morale, reach out to your community, and help end hunger in South Jersey. Corporate volunteer teams help sort, stock and pack thousands of pounds of food for us throughout the year.

To volunteer as a corporate group, click here to download an application. Be sure to include your email address. Once your application is received, you will be contacted via email to schedule a volunteer workday. It will include a tour of the Food Bank. Please plan to schedule 2-3 months in advance, as space for groups is limited.

Some of our Corporate Groups have included:

Required or Community Service

If you are required by your school or organization to perform community service hours, click here to fill out an online application. Be sure to include your email address. Once your application is received, you will be invited via email to a mandatory orientation. We hold orientations once a month.