VOLUNTEERING WITH SHFB
Only through your efforts can we achieve our mission of targeting hunger to serve and educate through community partnerships. We need volunteers every day to help sort and pack food donations, distribute meals for hungry children, as well as assist with special events and administrative support. When you donate your time to Second Harvest Food Bank of Champaign, Clark and Logan Counties (CCL), you become a partner in the fight against hunger in Southwest Ohio.
Second Harvest Food Bank CCL will begin accepting a limited number of volunteers in critical areas starting Monday, June 8, 2020.
For our available volunteer hours or to receive email updates about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Melena at (937) 325-8715 ext. 101 or email: mprasertsak@theshfb.org.
Have questions about volunteering? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
COVID-19 MESSAGE
Second Harvest Food Bank CCL is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments. The safety of our staff and volunteers is very important to us. We are taking additional steps for extra sanitation to keep our facility, food, and people as safe as possible during this potential threat.
Please read our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions.
Packing Support
Age 10 and up | M- F, 10-3 | Ability to lift up to 30lbs
Pack food into boxes, place on pallets and store properly for distribution. Our donations must be sorted and weighed in order for our clients or agencies to be able to use them. Volunteers may help with sorting food items into appropriate bins or packing items into boxes. Individual volunteers may be working with other groups or volunteers.
Warehouse Support
Age 18 and up | M- F, 10-3 | Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
Provide general warehouse support including, sorting, tagging, organization and cleaning.
Driver
*New Program* | Age 25 and up | M- F, 10-3 | Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
Senior food box home deliveries.
Mobile Distribution Support
Age 10 and up | M-Sa, 8am-7pm | Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
Assist with distributing food to individuals who participate in the mobile drive-thru distributions.
On-Site Distribution Support
Age 10 and up | M-Sa, 10am-3pm | Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
Assist with distributing food to individuals who participate in the on-site drive-thru distributions.
Response Center Specialist
Age 18 and up | M-F, 9am-4pm
Provide excellent customer service by answering the phone, answering the door, responding to food box pickup appointments, scheduling and setting up home deliveries, calling clients to confirm addresses, entering client information into PantryTrak and completing daily/weekly tracking reports.
Administrative Support
Age 18 and up | M-F, 9am-4pm
Assist with a variety of tasks to help keep the Second Harvest Food Bank CCL office functioning smoothly. Tasks include answering phones, assisting with event planning, stuffing envelopes, data entry, etc.
Social Media and Marketing
All ages | M-F, 9am-4pm
Tell your friends and family about Second Harvest Food Bank CCL and encourage them to be a part of the team. Be a social media influencer and help us get the word out about Second Harvest Food Bank CCL and what we do!
Skills Based
Age 21 and up
Do you have a skill set you would like to share? Are you a certified carpenter, electrician, HVAC, roofer, vehicle and transportation maintenance, landscaping, database system specialist, facility improvements, etc. To make special arrangements to volunteer in this capacity, please contact Melena at (937) 325-8715 ext. 101 or email: mprasertsak@theshfb.org.
Mobile Pantry
*Temporarily Suspended*
Our mobile pantry is equipped to meet those who are food insecure right in their neighborhood. This is an old beverage truck that has been converted into a mobile pantry. Our mobile pantry occurs all month long in Clark, Champaign, and Logan Counties. There are even some Saturday opportunities. Volunteers help to set up and clean up as well as assist clients with selections and carrying items to vehicles when needed.
For our available volunteer hours, please call Melena (937) 325-8715 ext. 101 or email: mprasertsak@theshfb.org.
What will I be doing?
To feed at-risk children, families, and seniors, we primarily need your help sorting, packing and distributing food.By sorting, packing and distributing, you help provide thousands of meals each month to our hungry neighbors in Southwest Ohio. Projects vary and may include:
-
Evaluate, sort, and pack food.
-
Bag bulk produce into family-sized portions.
-
Pack food bags for children or boxes for senior citizens.
Other volunteer opportunities include supporting our administrative staff, delivering food to seniors, distributing food at a distribution site, or assisting with fundraising events.
How do I sign up to volunteer and when can I volunteer?
All volunteer shifts must be scheduled in advance. Walk-ins are not accepted. Schedules are based on the agency’s current needs and times available. We try to schedule volunteers for 2-4 hour time slots.
For our available volunteer hours or to receive email updates about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Melena at (937) 325-8715 ext. 101 or email: mprasertsak@theshfb.org.
Can I bring a group of volunteers?
We rely heavily on our volunteer groups from companies, churches, and other community organizations. During this time and to keep everyone safe, we are limiting the number of volunteers in our warehouse to ensure everyone is able remain 6 feet apart. Currently, we are not able to accommodate large group volunteer requests.
We may have volunteer opportunities soon that are outdoors – we would then be able to accommodate more volunteers at one time. As those opportunities become available, we will include them on our website and social media channels.
Is there an age requirement to volunteer?
The minimum age for volunteers is 5 years old. Volunteers under the age 18 must have a Youth Volunteer Waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. All volunteers younger than age 16 must volunteer with an adult.
Youth volunteer safety ratio is 1 adult volunteer for every 7 volunteers under age 18.
While volunteering is a great way to teach children about service, before signing up it is important to assess a child’s maturity levels and ability to listen and follow directions. Our projects take place in an industrial warehouse with dangerous operating equipment and safety is a major concern, particularly for young children.
Are there physical requirements to volunteer?
Volunteers must be able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, communicate verbally by phone or in person. Be able to lift up to 30 pounds unassisted.
Is there a dress code?
The dress code for warehouse volunteers is casual and comfortable. All warehouse volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. No high heels. Volunteers wearing sandals or flip-flops will not be allowed to volunteer.
Warehouse temperature changes with the weather outside. Clothing cannot be torn, grayed, dirty, or reveal any part of the cleavage, midriff, or buttocks. No spandex, no tank tops, no spaghetti strap tops, no hats or bandanas, no offensive pictures or slogans on shirts. Skirts or shorts must not be shorter than two (2) inches above the knee.
Gloves will be provided if the task is necessary for them.
Volunteers may be asked to follow a different dress code for special events and volunteer opportunities outside the warehouse.
What do I need to bring with me when I volunteer?
Volunteers do not need to bring anything with them unless they are required to have community service documentation for school or court. Volunteers may bring a refillable plastic water.
Bags and purses are not allowed in the warehouse. Lockers and a coat rack are provided for storing any items you do not want to keep in your car. Keep personal and valuable items to a minimum (i.e. electronics, jewelry, etc.), as Second Harvest Food Bank CCL is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
Do I need to attend training to become a volunteer?
All volunteer opportunities require basic to intermediate training on safety and food handling. Advanced training may be required for specialized administrative or volunteer leader opportunities.
What do I need to know to stay safe in a warehouse?
Second Harvest Food Bank LLC is always concerned with the safety of all volunteers, employees, and guests. Volunteers work in a warehouse environment around hazardous equipment and chemicals. We want our volunteers to have a fun and rewarding experience while also abiding by our safety standards.
Read our hazardous material volunteer training.
Do I need to be there for the entire shift?
Yes. Each shift includes a welcome, training, time to work on the project, and a wrap-up that includes a report on how much was accomplished. When volunteers arrive late or leave early, they are unable to enjoy the full volunteer experience. If you cannot stay for the entire shift, please sign up to volunteer at another time.
What if I need to cancel my shift, or change my reservation?
To cancel your volunteer shift, please contact Melena at (937) 325-8715 ext. 101 or email: mprasertsak@theshfb.org.
Am I able to complete mandated community service hours for social service agencies or court?
Schools and/or corporations may require community service hours throughout the year.
Court Appointed Community Service hours will not be credited to volunteers working at any other time, or for any other volunteer opportunity. Volunteers with the following charges (past or present) are not eligible to complete their hours at Second Harvest Food Bank CCL: drugs or drug trafficking, violent crime, breaking and entering, theft, sexual abuse or assault.
Where are you located and where should I park?
Parking is available in the fenced-in parking lot located off of Columbia Street or Murray Street at the West end of the warehouse building.
The Second Harvest Food Bank CCL in Springfield is located East of downtown. The address is 31 North Sycamore Street, Springfield, OH 45503.
If you are volunteering for an off-site event, we will send you the address when you sign up to for the volunteer project.
Where do I go and who is my contact when I arrive at Second Harvest?
Volunteers are to enter the door labeled “Volunteer Entrance.” The volunteer coordinator will greet you, and helps you sign-in and obtain an ID badge.
What if I still have questions about volunteering?
We are happy to help! For our available volunteer hours or to receive email updates about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Melena at (937) 325-8715 ext. 101, email: mprasertsak@theshfb.org .
We are taking many additional steps to keep our facility, food, volunteers, and staff as safe as possible during this potential threat.
VOLUNTEERING
The safety of our staff and volunteers is very important to us. We have always had strict guidelines to keep our warehouse clean and safe, and we’re implementing additional best practices continually as we get new information from the World Health Organization, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as state and local government agencies and officials.
The Governor has issued a Stay Safe Ohio Order. Can I still volunteer?
Although volunteer opportunities have been temporarily suspended, we will begin accepting a limited number of volunteers in critical areas starting Monday, June 8, 2020. It is now appropriate for you to travel to and from the Second Harvest Food Bank CCL warehouse for the purpose of volunteering.
What are you doing to keep volunteer areas sanitized?
Our team is regularly sanitizing volunteer work areas and equipment including high touch surfaces, door handles, worktables, tape guns, markers and pallet jack handles.
What are volunteers doing to help keep the facility, food, and other people safe?
Volunteers are required to wash their hands when entering the facility. Volunteers are always required to wear a face covering and nitrile gloves (non-latex). These items will be provided to all volunteers upon arrival.
Who should not volunteer?
If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or have recently traveled to an area impacted by COVID-19, we ask that you don’t volunteer at this time. Please review our health checklist before arriving for your shift. If you are healthy, and answer NO on all questions, please note that when you arrive at Second Harvest Food Bank CCL, we’ll have this form ready for you to sign before your shift starts. If you answer YES to any of these questions, please join us as a volunteer when you are symptom-free for 14 days.
By entering a Second Harvest Food Bank CCL facility, you indicate that you are fever-free and NOT experiencing any of the following symptoms:
-
Subjective fever (feeling feverish/chills)
-
New or worsening cough
-
Shortness of breath
-
Sore throat
-
Diarrhea
Do you need volunteers?
Yes. We are conducting more neighborhood drive-thru distributions and building emergency food boxes for community members dealing with the impacts of COVID-19. We will continue to use volunteers to support all of our food distribution programs.
Can I bring a volunteer group?
We rely heavily on our volunteer groups from companies, churches, and other community organizations. During this time and to keep everyone safe, we are limiting the number of volunteers in our warehouse to ensure everyone is able remain 6 feet apart. Currently, we are not able to accommodate large group volunteer requests.
We may have volunteer opportunities soon that are outdoors – we would then be able to accommodate more volunteers at one time. As those opportunities become available, we will include them on our website and social media channels.
Which volunteer opportunities are temporarily suspended?
-
On-site Pantry Support
-
Mobile Pantry Support
We are opening as many volunteer shifts as we can do safely. Please note that project needs can change quickly depending on the changing needs in our community. Please visit our website and social media channels to stay informed of the latest volunteer opportunities.
What if I still have questions about volunteering?
We are happy to help! For our available volunteer hours or to receive email updates about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Melena at (937) 325-8715 ext. 101, email: mprasertsak@theshfb.org .
Tell Ohio’s elected officials to support funding for Ohio’s foodbanks
The Ohio Association of Foodbanks and its statewide hunger relief network are seeking $30 million per year in the 2020-2021 state budget to support A Comprehensive Approach to Hunger Relief. By investing modestly up-front in access to nutritious, wholesome food, we can reduce health care costs and improve educational outcomes and worker productivity in the long-run. Add your name to our petition for state funding to fight hunger. Thank you for your support!
Start with Advocacy 101
Every organization and individual can make important contributions by being advocates. Advocacy doesn’t have to be a scary word! Watch this 15-minute video to learn the basics of advocating for programs and policies that help people in need.
Sign up and Take Action
Important policy decisions are being made which impact Ohio’s most vulnerable populations. We have the opportunity to take action. Find your elected officialsand contact them to voice your concerns. Be informed of critical issues by signing up for action alerts or view past action alerts.
![navistar[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f975af_1dcd1f41e6de41bda600b18889922a3d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_173,h_31,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2/navistar%5B1%5D.jpg)