WE'RE A VOLUNTEER DRIVEN ORGANIZATION.
JOIN OUR MISSION. VOLUNTEER TODAY.
VOLUNTEERING WITH SHFB
Volunteers are crucial for the success of Second Harvest Food Bank CCL. Volunteers play a vital role in helping sort food, pack food boxes for seniors, as well as assist with our Order-Ahead program allowing Second Harvest to operate more efficiently and provide more hunger relief. Volunteering can be fulfilling and lets volunteers engage and connect with the community. Stronger communities through hunger relief provided by volunteers.
For our available volunteer hours or to receive email updates about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact our Volunteer Specialist at (937) 325-8715 ext. 115 or email: volunteer@theshfb.org.
For individual volunteers, please fill out our Volunteer Application and email it to volunteer@theshfb.org. The Volunteer Specialist will be in touch regarding next steps.
For group volunteers, please use the button below to email our Volunteer Specialist regarding your volunteer inquiry.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Second Harvest has a variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from for individuals, small teams, and large groups! Check out the descriptions of each task listed below to find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.
CSFP Box Packing
Every month, over 900 seniors receive a senior commodity box. These boxes contain over 15 different items and are packed entirely by volunteers. Set up shelf-stable items and fill boxes assembly-line-style. This is the perfect opportunity for larger groups — church groups, corporate volunteers, school groups, and more.
OrderAhead
Similar to grocery store pick up, the OrderAhead program allows neighbors to choose and pick groceries at the food bank every Wednesday. Volunteers are needed to help pick the orders (similar to grocery shopping!) as well as take the orders out to neighbors during the OrderAhead pick up time every Wednesday.
Food Lockers
Be a part of Second Harvest's newest program! Each week, families can put in orders for our state-of-the-art temperature-controlled lockers. Neighbors can pick up their orders on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volunteers are needed to pick orders and fill the boxes for neighbors. Similar to OrderAhead, but on a smaller scale and volunteers will not interact with neighbors directly.
Sorting Food Donations
Groups of individuals can catalogue and organize assorted dry and canned goods donated through food drives. Volunteers will help assess the quality of food to make sure it is not expired, as well as ensure the packaging has not been damaged in transport. Once sorted, our partner agencies can pick up these assorted foods for their food distributions. This is a great opportunity for individual or larger groups.
Mobile Distributions
Join Second Harvest outside of the four walls of the warehouse! Second Harvest drivers will bring a temperature-controlled trucks to various locations in Champaign and Logan county for a 1-hour drive-thru distribution. Volunteers are needed to fill neighbors' cars with food, open, and breakdown boxes. A great opportunity for volunteers looking to work directly with neighbors!
*ONLY in Champaign and Logan Counties.
Front Desk Receptionist
Be the first, friendly face that neighbors see when entering the food bank. Front desk receptionists will field neighbor questions and help direct them to the best employee or area food distribution. Small shifts are available. This position is mostly seated, so it is best for volunteers who are looking for a less active way to help out at the food bank.
Minimum Age Requirement for all volunteer opportunities is 10 years old. If you are under the age of 15 then you must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during your service.
Essential Reminders:
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You must be 18 years of age to ride along with a driver.
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Please wear gloves before touching anything in the warehouse. This will prevent injuries and food particles from touching your skin.
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Close-toed shoes must be worn at all times in the warehouse.
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Arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Where to go when volunteering
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Park in fenced-in parking lot on N Murray St or grassy area across from N Central Alley
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Enter through glass doors
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Sign in on the "Volunteer Sign in Sheet"
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If no one is at the front reception desk, please ring doorbell and someone will come to grab you and bring you back to the warehouse for your volunteering session