DonateVolunteer and Make a Difference
Hunger is closer than you think. Right now, students in your local schools are struggling with food insecurity, unsure where their next meal will come from. At Food For Neighbors, we believe every student deserves access to nutritious food, and with your help, we can make that happen. As a volunteer or food donor (or both!), you can make a difference!
How You Can Help
Whether you have a few hours a month or just one morning to spare, there’s a way for you to get involved. Volunteers are the heart of our program, and there are many ways to make an impact.
BE A VOLUNTEER AT A RED BAG EVENT
We host five Saturday events throughout the school year and need volunteers to help with food pickup and delivery to schools, as well as sorting and organizing items into bins for school pantries. It’s easy to get started!
BE A RED BAG FOOD DONOR
Donate nonperishable food right from your doorstep with the Red Bag Program.
PARTNER WITH US
No matter the size of your organization, when we work together as a team, we can make a big impact—through group volunteering, food drives, fundraisers, or financial partnerships.
ADVOCATE
Be a voice for change by advocating for food security in your community—spread awareness, inspire action, and help ensure that no student goes hungry.
Volunteer WITH a Group or Team
Volunteering is even more rewarding when you do it together! Whether you’re a business, school group, community organization, or friends, joining forces with Food for Neighbors creates a powerful impact. Team volunteering strengthens bonds, gives back, and drives positive change. From sorting and distributing food to organizing donation drives, there are many ways to get involved!
Why Volunteer?
By giving just a little of your time, you can make a huge difference in the lives of local teens.
DOES YOUR COMPANY OFFER matching grants for volunteering?
Did you know your time can make an even bigger impact? Many companies offer volunteer grant programs, where they donate money to organizations like ours in recognition of your volunteer hours. That means the time you already spend helping can directly support our mission even more—at no extra cost to you!
Search for your employer to see if they offer a volunteer grant program and turn your time into funding for our cause.
Students Welcome!
Earn Community Service Hours
Students ages 9 and up are always welcome to volunteer at Food For Neighbors! For community service credit, visit our volunteer table at the event—just snap a picture of the instructions for easy reference. Questions? Contact us!
Volunteer FAQs
Sorter FAQs
How long does a typical sorting event take?
A typical food-sorting event lasts about three hours on a Saturday morning, the same day we pick up donations. We host five events each school year (on Saturdays). The fast pace makes the time fly, and before you know it, you’ll have helped receive and distribute food to local teens in your community!
What do the volunteers do at a sorting event?
Volunteer tasks include:
- take pictures during the event
- help set-up and clean-up
- help coordinate the volunteers and drivers as they arrive
- unload vehicles
- empty Red Bags
- sort food
- organize the empty bags for the next event
- move filled bins
What should I expect at the sorting event?
Volunteers helping with event setup arrive at 8:30am to arrange tables, get bins, hang signs, etc. All other volunteers arrive before 9:30am. Upon arrival, check in at the volunteer table where a Greeter will explain the various jobs. Volunteers unload Red Bags from arriving vehicles and sort food into large bins. These bins are later transported to school pantries. Some positions require heavy lifting, but there are plenty of other tasks available for all ages. You’ll be amazed at how quickly a focused group can collect and sort so much food!
How many volunteers do you need for an event?
A lot of them! Each sorting site requires about 30-60 volunteers. It takes a lot of volunteers, but with everyone participating, we are done before it’s time for lunch!
When will I get the link to the event sign up for an event?
We will send an email two weeks before each event with the link to sign up. Click that link to go to our sign-up page where all our events will be listed. Just pick the event you want to attend and sign up there.
Can children participate?
Student volunteers age 9 and up are welcome! All students under 18 attending without a parent or guardian must bring a signed Minor Volunteer Participation Form. A new form is required each time they volunteer.
Can a student get Community Service Hours by helping with FFN?
We’re happy to support students who are looking to earn service hours through volunteering with us. If your school offers credit for community service, you may be able to count your time volunteering here toward those hours.
When you sign in a sorting site to volunteer, ask the volunteer at the check-in table for the email address where you should submit your service hour request. If you need help after an event, you’re also welcome to contact us.
Please note that each school has its own requirements, so students are responsible for confirming their school’s guidelines and ensuring the volunteer experience meets those criteria.
What if I’m not receiving the event signup emails after I’ve signed up?
Our sign up emails are sent 14 days before each event. If you have not been receiving them and you have signed up to be a volunteer, please contact us to let us know.
What if I can no longer participate?
If you need to update your contact information or make any changes to your status, please contact us.
What should I do with my filled Red Bag if I am also a food donor?
First off, thank you for your generosity! Just leave your filled Red Bag by your front door before heading out. One of our drivers will pick it up and leave an empty bag for next time.
It all sounds fun! How do I sign up?
If you are interested in being a volunteer, please complete a volunteer form (and check Volunteer Sorter). We will add you to our volunteer database. About two weeks before an event, you will receive an email inviting you to sign up (please check your SPAM folder if you do not receive the Sign Up Genius). You do not have to participate at every event. If you miss an event, no worries! We’ll keep you in the database and you’ll be notified next time.
Driver FAQs
What if I’m not available on one of the Red Bag Saturdays?
No problem. We have extra drivers to fill in when someone is not available.
What happens when I get to the sorting site?
A group of volunteers unloads your vehicle while you check in with the Driver Coordinator. Turn in your scale, door hangers and extra Red Bags.
How do I know what app to download onto my phone?
We’ll send you our driver training materials with instructions to review.
Can I volunteer to drive and sign up to sort on the same Red Bag Event day?
No, these two things are happening simultaneously.
Can a student get community service hours by helping with FFN?
We’re happy to support students who are looking to earn service hours through volunteering with us. If your school offers credit for community service, you may be able to count your time volunteering here toward those hours.
When you arrive at a sorting site to drop off Red Bags, ask the Driver Coordinator at check-in for the email address where you should submit your service hour request. If you need help after an event, you’re also welcome to contact us.
Please note that each school has its own requirements, so students are responsible for confirming their school’s guidelines and ensuring the volunteer experience meets those criteria.
What if I’m not receiving the driver text surveys after I’ve signed up?
Our driver availability surveys are sent about 21 days before each event and then training materials are emailed about 10 days before each event. If you have not been receiving them, check your message app to confirm you’ve received the first text from us and that you replied “Yes” to give us permission to text you.
Only drivers who have agreed to our waiver policy are eligible to drive. This policy was part of your initial volunteer signup form, and then renewed annually in August.
This sounds like something I can do! How do I sign up?
If you are interested in being a driver, please complete a volunteer form (and check Volunteer Driver). We will add you to our driver list and contact you closer to the next event.
What if I can no longer participate?
If you need to update your contact information or make any changes to your status, please contact us.
