VOLUNTEER
We ♥ Our Volunteers
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We can always use volunteers to help out with various tasks around the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank. Being 100% volunteer supported, we rely on people in our community to chip in with their time to help clean, sort food, help at distributions, and hold food drives – all with the purpose of serving our neighbors in need.
We have a couple of sayings here at the food bank: “You can’t do anything wrong at the food bank.” Seriously, we mean this. We strive to make this a fun and joyful place to volunteer knowing that everything is "figureoutable". The other being “There’s no wrong way to feed people.” Our number one goal is to feed people in our community. |
Regular Weekly Volunteer Opportunities
General Work Days
Monday through Thursday mornings we work at the food bank processing food that has been donated from local stores, food drives, and from individual donations.
It can be a little messy sometimes but we strive to have a good time, while building community with fellow volunteers and knowing you are helping those in need. Help us sort through produce, bread, non-perishables and other goods donated from our local grocery store partners. We may also build food bags that will be given out during our distribution times depending on the day. Other tasks may include general clean-up, taking out the trash, and even a few gardening tasks here and there. Our goal is to help you find your place. |
Weekly Food Distribution
Monday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Thursday mornings we have our food distribution times where we need a team of people to help feed our clients.
(Friday distributions are staffed by different local organization, those opportunities are not currently open to the public.) Jobs may include adding bags to the distribution wagons, making food bags, handing out extra items, placing food into the clients cars, or greeting clients. Other positions may be available, please come volunteer and we’ll help you find your place. |
Kids and OrganizationsAt this time we are asking that all volunteers be 14 years old and older.
We love partnering with the community as an opportunity for middle and high school kids to earn volunteering hours, as well as working with local churches and businesses that would like to get involved. Please reach out to us and we’ll see how we can partner with you or your organization. info@ovfofb.org |
Other Ways to Help and Get Involved
Harvest ProgramOn select days throughout the year, we have a team that goes out into the community to pick local trees and gardens in the Orangevale and Fair Oaks area. This fresh produce is brought back to the food bank to be distributed to our clients. We love being able to offer fresh, local food! Go to the volunteer signup page and look for the Harvest Team.
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Host a Food DriveHosting a food drive is fun and a great way for people of all ages to get involved with the food bank. We are able to provide you with a donation barrel, a current list of most wanted items, and some social media support.
Contact us today for more information. |
Help on the FarmHave you heard? The Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation has started the Food Bank Farm located on the property right next to the food bank on Main Avenue.
For more information about work day opportunities and general information, like and follow their Facebook page and check out their website. |
Community Service ProjectsIf you look around the food bank, you will find a few Gold Star and Eagle Scout projects. Part of our mission is to help bring the community together for the greater good, including working with local youth and organizations to help them see their visions come to life. If you are a local scout or organization with a project idea, please contact us to see if we can work together.
Do you have a youth or small group looking to serve in the community? Let’s work together to see what the possibilities are for you to get involved. |
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Teams – Volunteering in a Group of 2 or More
If you are coming to volunteer as a group of 2 or more, please contact us first before signing up for a shift. A team can be work colleagues, families, individuals needing a helper, or a group of friends. We want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to volunteer with us and we are only able to take a certain number of teams each shift. Other opportunities are available for teams to volunteer with our harvest team on a need basis or at the Food Bank Farm.
Volunteer FAQs
Our organization is operated by volunteers. Here are a few common questions and answers about volunteering with the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank.
What is required to volunteer?
We ask that all volunteers start by signing up for a volunteer shift. When you sign up online for the first time you will fill out a volunteer form.
Please wear closed toed shoes for safety reasons and make sure you have clothes that are easy to work in. Sometimes we do get a little dirty, so be prepared for that as well.
We will give you a tour your first time and show you how to check in. Grab a name tag when you arrive so everyone knows your name and ask questions if you’re not sure of your task. Questions are welcome and we want you to feel comfortable in what you are doing.
Are children allowed to volunteer?
At this time, we are only open for volunteers 14 years and older.
Please watch our volunteer page for family night opportunities that will be open to families with children 5 and older.
A great way for children to be involved is to help with or to host a food drive.
Do I need special training to volunteer?
On your first shift, we’ll give you a tour of the food bank so you have an idea of what it is we do and to share our mission. Then we’ll work on plugging you in to that day’s work. We will pair you up with a seasoned volunteer to help guide you through the work. As you become more comfortable, there will be different opportunities in different positions. We suggest everyone move around a bit and try out a few shifts to see what fits best for you. If you have the time and want, there are possible opportunities to help out with our specialized positions like computer intake and riding or driving our delivery truck. Please ask questions! We've all been new at some time and love sharing our mission with new people each week.
What is required to volunteer?
We ask that all volunteers start by signing up for a volunteer shift. When you sign up online for the first time you will fill out a volunteer form.
Please wear closed toed shoes for safety reasons and make sure you have clothes that are easy to work in. Sometimes we do get a little dirty, so be prepared for that as well.
We will give you a tour your first time and show you how to check in. Grab a name tag when you arrive so everyone knows your name and ask questions if you’re not sure of your task. Questions are welcome and we want you to feel comfortable in what you are doing.
Are children allowed to volunteer?
At this time, we are only open for volunteers 14 years and older.
Please watch our volunteer page for family night opportunities that will be open to families with children 5 and older.
A great way for children to be involved is to help with or to host a food drive.
Do I need special training to volunteer?
On your first shift, we’ll give you a tour of the food bank so you have an idea of what it is we do and to share our mission. Then we’ll work on plugging you in to that day’s work. We will pair you up with a seasoned volunteer to help guide you through the work. As you become more comfortable, there will be different opportunities in different positions. We suggest everyone move around a bit and try out a few shifts to see what fits best for you. If you have the time and want, there are possible opportunities to help out with our specialized positions like computer intake and riding or driving our delivery truck. Please ask questions! We've all been new at some time and love sharing our mission with new people each week.
