Join our volunteer team
Did you know that we need more than 350+ volunteers each week to keep our community well fed?
With just a 3 hour commitment each week, you will make an important difference in the lives of our neighbors.
For individuals wanting to volunteer for general interest:
Here’s how:
- For all individuals and families (non-groups), please complete this brief volunteer application.
- Within 1-2 weeks, you will receive a welcome email when we are ready to start the process! Follow the instructions in the welcome email to get onboarded to volunteer. There will be an online orientation video and an in-person food bank walk through with a Q&A before your first shift. Please allow at least 2 weeks for your application to be processed before reaching out.
- Watch all designated training videos and attend the in person orientation. Set up your volunteer portal and self schedule your first shifts!
- Welcome to the team! Have fun, make friends and make a difference in your community!
Group Volunteering
Do you have a group that you would like volunteer with at the food bank?
Please note we have limited times available for groups, because of the small size of our food bank. We are unable to accommodate group sizes of more than 16 people at one time.
We currently offer these times to host groups of volunteers within the food bank:
Monday 5-7pm (spots available for up to 10 people) Packing bags for our North Seattle College mobile pantry, and prepping the store for next days open. This shift happens when the food bank is closed.
Tuesday 10:30am-12pm (spots available for up to 6 people) Packing boxes for our home delivery program. This activity takes place covered garage of the food bank.
Saturdays 2-4pm (available for up to 16 people) Getting the food bank ready for the next open day of distribution. Cleaning tasks, sorting donations, cleaning and restocking shelves. This shift happens when the food bank is closed.
Some Sundays available upon request (request in email)
Due to the large number of group request we receive we may not be able to answer every request.
To inquire about group volunteering with us:
Please send a direct email to volunteer@udistrictfoodbank.org to inquire about availability.
Please include:
Group name/organization:
Number of volunteers expected:
Any hopes or expectations you have during your volunteer experience!:
Thank you for your interest!
Other options for groups:
We realize these times are a bit limited. If these times do not work for you to come into the food bank to volunteer, we have other options to get involved as a group to help!
With your group, you can host a food drive. One of the biggest issues we are currently dealing with is increased inflation costs, and lower amounts of food available and you can help stock our shelves! If interested you can host food drives or table for us at your local club, school or grocery store. This usually involves getting permission from where you plan to canvas for donations, collecting and bringing back into us or requesting a pickup. If you would like to host a food drive please reach out to Eric at eric@udistrictfoodbank.org.