Volunteer at Foodlink

Volunteers are critical to our mission of ending hunger and building healthier communities!

From sorting donated food in our distribution center, to assisting Curbside Market customers, to helping us maintain the Lexington Ave. Community Farm, we offer an array of volunteer opportunities that are perfect for individuals, families, groups, and more!

Explore how you can get involved and begin your volunteer journey with Foodlink today!

Get Started

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WE ARE A

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Did you know?

0

volunteer hours were donated to Foodlink last year!

0

additional full-time employees would be needed to match our volunteers’ productivity! 

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pounds of food are sorted by our volunteers! 

Opportunities

Donation Sorting

Volunteers help us sort and inspect donated food for those in need.

Community Health Education

Help our nutrition educators prepare for their virtual cooking classes and deliver groceries!

Curbside Market

Foodlink’s mobile farmers market relies on volunteers to serve our customers.

Community Farm

Help us nourish the community at the Lexington Ave. Community Farm by planting, weeding, composting, harvesting and more!

Administrative tasks

Assist staff in our offices with administrative work to help our operations, finance or development teams!

Community Kitchen

Help our staff prepare thousands of healthy meals for Rochester children!

Testimonials

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Debbie Leipold
Debbie Leipold
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Matt Smith
Matt Smith
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Skip Leonhard
Skip Leonhard
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Laura Reitter
Laura Reitter
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Requirements

All individuals must abide by Foodlink’s requirements to ensure a safe and positive volunteer experience for all. Please also review the individual project descriptions, as some volunteer projects may have additional requirements.

  • Everyone must register for volunteer shifts. No walk-ins allowed.

  • Volunteer activities will include standing and lifting up to 25-50 lbs. throughout the duration of the volunteer shift (excluding administrative activities).

  • Closed-toed shoes are necessary at all sites.

  • Volunteers who arrive 15 minutes or later past the start time of their shift will be asked to reschedule. 
  • Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather.  Some volunteer projects are outdoors, and the warehouse can be cold.
  • Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Individuals under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Volunteers must arrive on time for their shifts.

COVID-19 Guidelines

Foodlink is following all safety guidelines provided by local health officials and the CDC regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers should adhere to and expect the following while volunteering at Foodlink:

  • Volunteers will complete a verbal health screening at the beginning of their shift.
  • Effective June 10, 2022, masking is optional for all fully vaccinated volunteers, who can show their proof of vaccination if they wish to volunteer without a mask. All unvaccinated individuals are required to wear a mask. 
  • Volunteers should stay home if they are ill. Volunteers experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, must get tested and receive a negative result before returning to Foodlink.

FAQ

If you are a returning volunteer, please sign up directly on our volunteer calendar. If you are a new volunteer, please visit our Volunteer Opportunities page, to explore our options and register.  

All volunteers must sign themselves up for a volunteer opportunity. If you seeking to bring a group of volunteers, group reservations begin with parties of 5 or more. If you would like to secure a group reservation, you will need to complete our group reservation request form. Our Volunteer Programs Coordinator, Jessica Lockett, will contact you about availability.

Group leaders must submit a group reservation request form to bring their group to volunteer at Foodlink.  Our Volunteer Programs Coordinator, Jessica Lockett, will follow up with you with additional information. Please note: We have limited availability for groups at this time due to the pandemic.

Due to limited space and social distancing guidelines, we ask that staff aides, job coaches, or chaperones participate with their clients on a 1:1 basis. Clients must be able to meet our minimum requirements and stay through the entire 3-hour volunteer shift. At this time, we can only accept volunteers with intellectual and development disabilities for our donation sorting shifts. Please register for these shifts through our website.

All volunteers must be at least 13 years old to volunteer at Foodlink. Individuals under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
 Parents can sign up themselves and their children for a volunteer shift.

Most volunteer projects are 3 hours long. However, our Curbside Market opportunity is between 4-6 hours long and some administrative projects are 1-3 hours long.

Volunteers are required to wear a face mask, closed-toed shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing for their volunteer shift. We also encourage that you bring a water bottle and your energy!

Most volunteer opportunities at Foodlink are moderate to high in physical intensity. Projects will include frequent walking, standing, and lifting boxes up to 25-50 lbs. However, we do offer administrative projects as well. Please review our volunteer project descriptions for details.

Most volunteer opportunities will take place at Foodlink, which is located at 1999 Mount Read Blvd, Rochester NY 14615. Volunteers should park in Lot A (front of building, to the left) and enter through the main entrance.

Other volunteer volunteer opportunities may take place at off-site locations:

Lexington Ave. Community Farm: 617 Lexington Ave. Rochester, NY 14623. Please park in the gravel parking lot.

JSY: Public Market 280 Union St N, Rochester, NY 14609. This opportunity takes place in the B Shed and public parking is available in nearby lots.

Please contact Volunteer Programs Coordinator Jessica Locket for more information on how to register. 

WHO DO I CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

For additional questions, please contact our Volunteer Program Manager, Jessica Lockett, at 585-413-4094 or jlockett@foodlinkny.org.