Volunteer
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.
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, 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.
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. Prior to volunteering, all individuals and groups must make a reservation so we can plan an appropriate task for the number of volunteers. We care about food safety and we also ask that each of our volunteers read our Food Safety Guidlines before they start. 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.
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 Senior Nutrition and Wellness Program (SNWP / 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.
REGULAR VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR WAREHOUSE SHIFTS:
Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. |Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed for volunteers
Schedule may change based on work needs in the warehouse. For the safety of our volunteers, closed-toe shoes are mandatory when volunteering in the warehouse or at distributions.
Other Ways to Help
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 Nutrition and Wellness Program distributions, 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.
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.
Your Time Could Have Double the Impact
Did you know that some companies donate to nonprofits when their employees volunteer? If your employer offers a volunteer grant program, the hours you spend supporting our work could result in additional funding for our organization.
Contact your HR or community relations department to learn more.
Need More information?
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Vickie Jarman via email, or call (775) 785-1431.
