Our Food Shelf provides supplemental nutritious food to those who meet income qualifications or are in crisis. Volunteers stock shelves, prepare bags of food, and work with our neighbors, depending on which shift they signed up for. Here is a breakdown of our volunteer opportunities in our Grand Rapids food shelf:
Mondays and Wednesdays
8:30 a.m.-11 a.m.: Consists of stocking shelves, making pre-made bags, putting away retail food items and any other various projects.
10:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Consists of assisting neighbors with shopping as needed, making pre-made bags of food items, restocking shelves as needed and other various projects. This is such a fun shift if you enjoy working with people and helping them!
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Consists of stocking shelves, assisting neighbors with shopping as needed, making meat packs and food bags, and other various projects as needed.
Thursdays
8:30 a.m.-11 a.m.: Consists of stocking shelves, making pre-made bags, putting away retail food items and any other various projects.
Fridays
8:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Consists of assisting neighbors with shopping as needed, making pre-made bags of food items, restocking shelves as needed and other various projects. This is such a fun shift if you enjoy working with people and helping them!
Volunteers must be able to:
- Stand and walk, lift, bend, carry up to 40 pounds
- Follow food and personal safety procedures
- Maintain confidentiality
- Be tactful and open-minded while working with neighbors from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances
A waiver must be submitted prior to volunteering.
Age Requirements: For safety reasons, all volunteers must be 16 years or older. Any volunteer under 18 years old MUST have a parent or guardian signature on their waiver prior to volunteering. Please see our Youth Volunteer Requirements page for more details.
Support/Training: Please arrive 10-15 minutes early and wear comfortable clothing in layers and closed-toe shoes. Volunteers will be given instructions and training upon arrival and will have staff support and supervision throughout their shift.
