Volunteer at Foodlink
Volunteers are critical to our mission to end hunger and build healthier communities!
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!
Already a registered volunteer? Select the button below to view our calendar and sign up for available volunteer shifts.
Did you know?
volunteer hours were donated to Foodlink last year!
additional full-time employees would be needed to match our volunteers’ productivity!
pounds of food are sorted by our volunteers!
Opportunities
Donation Sorting
Nutrition Education
Curbside Market
Administrative tasks
Food Distributions
Testimonials
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 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 Regulations
- Volunteers should not exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath) or other forms of illnesses.
- Volunteers should not be awaiting COVID-19 test results.
- Volunteers should not have been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
- Volunteers should not have traveled in the past 14 days, without taking a COVID test and receiving a negative result before volunteering.
WHILE YOU'RE AT FOODLINK ...
Foodlink is following all safety guidelines provided by local health officials and the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals will be asked to refrain from volunteering if they cannot adhere to the following safety regulations during their shift:
- Health screening tests and temperature checks will be administered to all volunteers entering Foodlink or any off-site volunteer locations.
- Frequent handwashing and sanitation will take place at the beginning of, and throughout the volunteer shift.
- Social distancing will be enforced. Volunteers should stay at least 6 feet away from each other and refrain from hugging, shaking hands, or passing off items to one another directly. All volunteer projects have been redesigned to comply with social-distancing guidelines.
- Face masks must be worn upon entering Foodlink (or an off-site location) and throughout your volunteer shift. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to bring and wear their own face mask, which must be worn properly to cover the nose and mouth.
FAQ
Yes. We shifted to the United Way system at the outset of the pandemic, but as of Dec. 1, 2020, all volunteers must register through the volunteer management platform available through our website. This will allow you to agree to our waiver and schedule yourself for one of our volunteer opportunities.
Please explore our volunteer calendar to view the available opportunities and select “Sign-Up.” You will be prompted to “Log in” to your account to secure your volunteer spot. If you are a new volunteer, you will be prompted to “Create an Account” before securing your volunteer spot.
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. Please note: For safety reasons during the pandemic, we cannot accept groups at this time. However, you may fill out the request form for potential dates in 2021. Our Volunteer Programs Coordinator, Jessica Lockett, will contact you if there are any openings or changes to our reservation policy.
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: For safety reasons during the pandemic, we cannot accept groups at this time. However, you may fill out the request form for potential dates in 2021 and we will contact you if there are any openings or changes to our reservation policy.
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.
If you are interested in setting up a recurring volunteer schedule with Foodlink, please submit a Core Volunteer Request Form. Recurring volunteer schedules are available for any of our volunteer opportunities.
WHO DO I CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
For additional questions, please contact our Volunteer Programs Coordinator, Jessica Lockett, at 585-413-4094 or jlockett@foodlinkny.org.
