Volunteer at Foodlink
As a group
Please note, we will not be accepting any volunteer groups until further notice, due to building renovations.
If your group size is between 5 – 10, and you are interested in volunteering at one of our partner agencies during this time, please email us at [email protected].
We apologize for any inconveniences. Stay tuned for updates.
Due to limited space and volunteer opportunities while renovations continue at our Mt. Read Blvd. facility, Foodlink prioritizes shifts of 10 or more people for corporate groups that support our mission through a financial contribution. Other groups such as schools, religious groups and nonprofit organizations are exempt from this policy and can inquire about available shifts.
More information about this policy is available below. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Thank you!
Adults
Foodlink welcomes volunteer groups, whose participants are at least 18+, for a variety of projects including Donation Sorting, Emergency Food Box Distribution, and the Lexington Avenue Community Farm (seasonal).
Explore our opportunities and submit your group reservation request today.
Youth
Foodlink can accommodate youths (with adult chaperones) as young as 13 to assist with our Donation Sorting and Lexington Avenue Community Farm volunteer projects. Please note that there should be one chaperone for every six youths.
Explore our project descriptions and submit your group reservation request today.
Volunteers With Disabilities
If you are a staff aide, chaperone, or parent that is assisting a volunteer with developmental or intellectual disabilities, please register for our volunteer shifts using the button below.
Currently, we can only accommodate staff aides with their clients on a 1:1 basis (no groups) for our Donation Sorting and Emergency Food Packing projects.
More about our Corporate Partnerships ...
Our generous corporate partners last year donated more than $1M to Foodlink – that’s equivalent to 3M+ meals for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity!
As a Foodlink corporate partner, not only are you making a tax-deductible charitable contribution, but you will also be part of the generous, local business community making a huge impact on food insecurity in this region. Currently, more than 150,000 people in our 10-county region have limited or uncertain access to enough healthy food.
For every $1 donated, Foodlink can provide 3 nutritious meals. Companies that invest in Foodlink each year are eligible for a unique, team-building experience that has a tangible impact on our work.
Please fill out the Group Reservation Form below to get started.
What does a group volunteer shift include?
- Customized 3-hour volunteer shift in our Distribution Center
- Behind-the-scenes tour of our facility
- Company recognition in our Volunteer Break Room
- Group photo taken for use on social media, website and/or company intranet with authorization to use Foodlink logo
- Custom certificate e-mailed to coordinator to be displayed at place of business
Donation Guidelines
- There are no minimum donation requirements for groups with 5-9 people.
- For groups between 10-20 people, Foodlink requires a $100/volunteer donation.
Group Reservation Form
FAQ
Volunteering at Foodlink is in high demand for groups and we want it to be a valuable experience. Our corporate partners are groups that have consistently shown their commitment to Foodlink and our mission through volunteering, donations, and event support and we offer them community team-building opportunities as a way to say thanks. As a for-profit company, donating toward your team-building experience helps offset some of the operating and programming costs that Foodlink incurs every day.
We do not require donations for schools, religious groups or nonprofit organizations and we reserve group shifts every month for them. Additionally, Foodlink serves a 10-county service area, with over 300 partner agencies, such as food pantries and meal programs. We are more than happy to connect you with one of our partner agencies, as well.
You must sign up individually for a shift if you have less than 5 people. You can view our calendar with all our open shifts here. If you can’t find anything available, please contact [email protected].
We usually book out at least two months ahead, so submit your request as soon as possible. All shifts are reserved on a first–come, first–served basis.
You can donate with a credit card online here, or you can mail a check in to Foodlink, PO Box 60766, Rochester, NY 14606-9998 Attn: Development Team. Add group volunteer donation to the memo. Invoices available upon request.
WHO DO I CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
For additional questions, please contact our Volunteer Programs & Events Coordinator at: [email protected] or 585-413-4085
Opportunities
Agency Partner Volunteer Opportunities
- Agency Partner Volunteer Opportunities
Foodlink has over 200 + member agency partners within our 10- county region. They are in need of volunteers to help distribute food to the community.
Day & Time: Varies
Location: Varies
Requirements: Click button below for more information. Please contact each agency directly to sign up.
Physical Intensity: High. The volunteer project will include walking, standing, and lifting boxes up to 25-50 pounds. Tasks are often repetitive.
Distribution Center: Donation Sorting (Morning Shifts)
Foodlink distributes more than 20 million pounds of food each year, and volunteers play an integral role in this process. Volunteers assist in our warehouse by sorting and inspecting donated items before they leave our facility.
Day & Time: Monday-Friday; 9:00am-12:00pm
Location: 2011 Mt. Read Blvd. Rochester NY, 14615
Requirements: Must be at least 13 years old (a chaperon is required to sign-up and participate in volunteer shifts involving youth 13-15). Must wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing (the warehouse can be cool).
Physical Intensity: High. The volunteer project will include walking, standing, and lifting boxes up to 25-50 pounds. Tasks are often repetitive.
Distribution Center: Donation Sorting (Afternoon Shifts)
Foodlink distributes more than 20 million pounds of food each year, and volunteers play an integral role in this process. Volunteers assist in our warehouse by sorting and inspecting donated items before they leave our facility.
Day & Time: Monday-Thursday; 1:00-4:00pm
Location: 2011 Mt. Read Blvd. Rochester NY, 14615
Requirements: Must be at least 13 years old ( a chaperon is required to sign-up and participate in volunteer shifts with youth 13-15). Must wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing (the warehouse can be cool).
Physical Intensity: High. The volunteer project will include walking, standing, and lifting boxes up to 25-50 pounds. Tasks are often repetitive.
