The dedication of caring, compassionate community members offering their time is an integral part of our work. We welcome and appreciate your commitment and talent.
Help feed thousands with just a couple hours of your time
The dedication of caring, compassionate community members is an integral part of our work, and we welcome and appreciate your time, talent, and interest in joining us in the fight against hunger. Volunteering is a truly rewarding experience, and we look forward to showing you just how much fun it can be, too. Together, we can solve hunger!
Whether you are a self-motivated individual volunteer, represent a community or employee group, or are looking for school or work-related, or court-ordered community service opportunities, there’s something for you to do to help at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.
Distribution Center
It all starts here. Keeping the shelves of our warehouse stocked with food ready to be distributed to neighbors in need is a vital part of the work that we rely on our volunteers to help us with. Volunteers working at the Food Bank’s distribution center take on the task of sorting and packing non-perishable food items generously donated by the community. Our warehouse volunteers also help with packing boxes distributed to seniors through the Commodity and Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and sorting and packing bulk produce for distribution through our Mobile Harvest program and Partner Agencies. The Food Bank happily welcomes individuals and groups of all sizes to our warehouse.
Volunteer Hours for Warehouse Shifts
We host volunteer sessions in our warehouse Tuesdays through Saturdays at varied times. Sessions are generally in the afternoons , evenings, and even mornings on Saturdays. The schedule varies based on what food we need to sort and pack so please check the schedule to sign up. Every 2 hour session in our warehouse helps us to provide food to so many of our neighbors. Thank you!
Please note: for the safety of our volunteers, Closed-toe shoes are mandatory when volunteering in the warehouse OR AT DISTRIBUTIONS.
Distribute Food in the Community
Want to see the impact you’re having first-hand? Consider volunteering at any of our client distribution programs. We recruit volunteers for Mobile Harvest, Senior CSFP box distribution, and Produce on Wheels throughout our service area. Closed-toe shoes are required and if you have long hair, we ask that you put it up to keep it out of the food being distributed.
Special Events
Throughout the year, the Food Bank hosts and participates in several community events. Periodically, these events need volunteers to help facilitate and run them. We’d love to have you join us!
Administrative Support
From time to time, the Food Bank needs help with mailings, database management, courtesy calls and other clerical duties in our offices. Administrative volunteers are recruited on an as-needed basis. Please let us know if you’d like to be added to our list of administrative volunteers.
nEED TO CANCEL A SESSION?
We understand that you may sign up to volunteer with the Food Bank and later need to change your plans. During this time, it is critical that we have an accurate count of the number of volunteers to expect at any of our sessions. If you need to cancel for any reason, please take the time to let us know either by canceling your registration in CERVIS or contacting our volunteer coordinator Vickie Jarman at vjarman@fbnn.org or 775-785-1431.
Court-Mandated Community Service Policy
Please note: You must contact us prior to scheduling any hours that are to be applied toward court-mandated community service. Any sessions completed without first receiving approval may not count towards mandated hours.
Charges related to an act of violence of any kind are prohibited.
Every shift must be scheduled in advance.
We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. – No walk-ins.
Must provide additional documentation, including specific offense and case number.
Upon completion of hours, we require 72 hours’ notice to prepare verification or completion letter.
Please send your paperwork to Vickie Jarman at vjarman@fbnn.org to get started.
Ready to get started?
Great! Please create your volunteer account by submitting the New Volunteer Application. You’ll then be able to view all of our current volunteer opportunities and schedule yourself for sessions. To get started as a new volunteer group, you should also complete the Volunteer Group Request Form. To inquire about current special event or administrative support opportunities, contact our volunteer coordinator, Vickie Jarman.
Important: If you already have a volunteer profile but are having trouble accessing it, please don’t create a new one. This ensures we can accurately celebrate and track your contributions. Instead, contact Vickie Jarman, and she will be happy to assist you.
Tip: If you’ve volunteered with us before, you likely already have a profile!
PLEASE NOTE:
Prior to volunteering, all individuals and groups must make a reservation so we can plan an appropriate task for the number of volunteers.
Have an even Greater Impact
Did you know many employers will make a monetary donation on behalf of an employee as a match for their volunteer hours? Check to see if your company provides a volunteer match to double the impact your time spent volunteering with the Food Bank will have on our neighbors in need.
Children over the age of 10 are welcome to volunteer with an adult. Must be 16 and over to participate without an adult.
Need more information?
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Vickie Jarman via email or call (775) 785-1431.
Happy Holidays! The Food Bank of Northern Nevada will be closed the week of December 23 through December 27 to allow our team time to celebrate the season and rest and recharge for the new year.
If you need assistance during this time:
For food resources, please visit fbnn.org/help to find food distributions near you. While all other Food Bank direct-service programs are canceled for the week, our Kids Cafe program will remain open and will be serving free meals to kids at four locations. Many of our partner food pantries will also still be open.
For year-end giving, all donations received by December 31 will be processed for the 2024 calendar year. To make a year-end gift, please visit give.fbnn.org.
