Want to volunteer with Second Harvest of the Big Bend?
Volunteers are critical to our mission of providing food for today, tomorrow, and a lifetime. Opportunities are available now for individuals, groups, and those seeking community service hours.
Individual Volunteers
Join us in 3 easy steps:
- Create a volunteer account on our VolunteerHub.
- Email Alexis Butler at abutler@fightinghunger.org to activate your account.
- Sign up for an event on VolunteerHub!
Group/Corporate Volunteers
Group volunteers are groups that consist of 5 or more volunteers.
To schedule your group shift, please contact Alexis Butler at abutler@fightinghunger.org. Please provide the following information:
- Name of group
- Group contact person
- Number of volunteers
- Volunteer date(s) requested
Court-Ordered Community Service
Court-ordered community service must be disclosed prior to activating your volunteer account. To qualify for court-ordered community service with the food bank, we will need a court/program/legal contact who can:
- Verify your charges (violent or sexual offenders are not accepted)
- Verify your court-ordered hours
Please contact Alexis Butler at abutler@fightinghunger.org to request our required community service application and policies and procedures. When your paperwork is complete, you will be directed to set up a volunteer account which will be activated by our Volunteer Coordinator.
FAQs
Where do I volunteer?
Our warehouse is located at 4446 Entrepot Blvd (near the airport).
When can I volunteer?
Our warehouse is open for volunteering Monday through Friday 9 am to 3 pm. Limited weekend and evening shifts are available.
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
The minimum age requirement to volunteer in our active warehouse is 12 years of age. Age restrictions vary by volunteer activity; please check the volunteer calendar. Children between the ages of 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult who is also volunteering, and is 18 years of age or older. A minimum of one chaperone per four children is required.
Do I have to schedule in advance or can I just show up?
All volunteering must be scheduled in advance on our VolunteerHub.
What should I wear?
Closed toe shoes are MANDATORY. Please wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting a little dirty. You must adhere to our dress code:
No ripped jeans or short shorts
No midriff-baring, see-through, cleavage-baring tops or tanks
No sagging pants or bottoms
No offensive language, symbols or characters
What should I bring with me?
We provide everything you need for all activities, including water! If you’d like to add extra impact to your day, one great way to do that is to bring one or more shelf-stable food item. Most-wanted items for the food bank include canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soups and stews, cereal, canned protein and peanut butter.
Do I have to attend a training session prior to volunteering?
Not at this time; simply create your volunteer account and request it to be activated.
What time do I need to arrive?
Please arrive promptly at the start of your volunteer shift.
What do I do once I arrive at the Food Bank?
Please check in at the front desk, and the volunteer coordinator will direct you to the volunteer areas.
What do I do if I cannot make my volunteer shift?
If you cannot attend your volunteer shift, please email Alexis at abutler@fightinghunger.org at least 24 hours in advance. When we have fewer people than planned, we can’t pack or distribute as much food as needed, and that really impacts the people we serve.
Can I volunteer for community service hours for my school, church, etc.?
Yes, our someone on our volunteer team will be able to sign documentation showing your volunteer activity. Please give her 24-hour notice for hours verification letters.
Can I volunteer for court-ordered community service hours?
We accept court-ordered community service volunteers, except for violent or sexual offenders. There is an application process. Please contact Alexis Butler at abutler@fightinghunger.org.
For any additional questions, please contact: Alexis Butler, Volunteer Coordinator; 850-562-3033, ext. 230, abutler@fightinghunger.org