Volunteer
Volunteers are the life of The Foodbank! If you are flexible, and can volunteer Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, we would love to have you! Corporate and school groups are always welcome as well.
To schedule a volunteer shift at The Foodbank, please visit https://thefoodbankinc.volunteermatters.org or contact our Volunteer Team at volunteer@thefoodbankdayton.org.
Any volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old to volunteer in the warehouse and drive-thru. Volunteers of all ages are welcome at Mobile Markets and in the Urban Garden with adult supervision. Any minors completing court appointed community service must have adult supervision.
We ask that all volunteers wear closed-toe shoes for safety.
Volunteer Projects
While the exact tasks needing completed each day regularly changes, below are a few descriptions of tasks volunteers may work on. All tasks are accessible and orientation will be provided on-site.
Foodbank Drive-Thru (Year-round)- The Foodbank operates a drive-thru style food and produce distribution onsite where volunteers help sort produce and distribute food to Foodbank clients. The Foodbank Drive-Thru is held every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning from 9am-11am.
Mobile Farmer’s Markets (Year-round)- The Foodbank goes out to various host sites across Montgomery, Greene, and Preble counties giving out goods and produce to those in need. Volunteers help fill out paperwork and help pass out food. Each mobile pantry lasts about 2 hours and is scheduled Monday-Thursday from 9am-4pm.
Good-to-Go Backpacks (August-May)- Each week, volunteers build packs full of food. These packs are then given to schools and agencies, who in turn, give them to children facing food insecurity. The children receive them on Friday to sustain them through the weekend. This project is available Monday-Thursday by appointment from 9am-4pm in 2-3 hour shifts.
Donation Repack (Year-round)- When we receive food drives, volunteers sort through the boxes and canned goods. Food drives happen all year round, but two times a year (May and end of the year) we receive large donations. This project is available Monday-Thursday by appointment from 9am-4pm in 2-3 hour shifts. Some special projects may be scheduled.
Urban Garden Volunteering (April-September)– The Foodbank Urban Garden contains over 40 raised beds growing fresh herbs and produce, an ‘Edible Forest’ of apple and pears trees as well as cherry bushes, and an onsite composting facility. Garden volunteers helping with a variety of tasks including planting and harvesting, mulching and weeding flower beds, facility maintenance, and more. Garden volunteering is scheduled in 2-3 hour shifts on Mondays from 1pm-4pm and Wednesdays from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.
Produce Sort (July-November)- When produce is received from grocery stores, it comes in all conditions. Volunteers sort through the produce, separating fruits from vegetables and separating good from bad. There is some lifting of boxes in doing this task. This project is available Monday-Thursday by appointment from 9am-4pm in 2-3 hour shifts.