Enjoy working outdoors? Our Learning Gardens in northeast Portland and Beaverton offer a great opportunity to address the root causes of hunger. There are four different volunteer opportunities in our Learning Gardens. Read the descriptions below to find the one that fits you best.
Ways to volunteer
Dig In!
Eastside Learning Garden - 7900 N.E. 33rd Drive, Portland
The Eastside Learning Garden at OFB's northeast Portland facility includes more than 17,000 square feet of growing space, a container garden, seven laying hens, 24 fruit trees, blueberry, currant and raspberry bushes and a compost demonstration area. Beginning and experienced volunteers work together to grow nutritious produce, enjoy physical activity, increase gardening skills and support Oregon Food Bank.
Weekly shifts are:
- Tuesdays 9 a.m. to Noon, April through September
- Thursdays 9 a.m. to Noon, year-round
- Saturdays, 9 a.m. to Noon, mid-March through mid-November
Register to volunteer for a Dig In! shift.
Questions? See our volunteer FAQ.
Dig In!
Westside Learning Garden - 1600 N.W. 173rd Ave., Beaverton
The Westside Learning Garden is located down the street from the new OFB West facility. Located on the grounds of Five Oaks Middle School, the Learning Garden is a collaborative effort between OFB volunteers and students of Rachel Carson Environmental Middle School.
For more information about volunteering, contact lwaugh at oregonfoodbank.org.
Team Leaders
Take the lead! Team leaders are needed to help lead groups of all sizes at our Eastside and Westside Learning Garden locations. A commitment of four hours per month during the growing season is required. Interested? Contact lwaugh at oregonfoodbank.org.
Read the job description.
Cooking From the Garden
In the Cooking From the Garden program, at-risk youth work alongside trained, caring adult volunteers in the Eastside Learning Garden and Teaching Kitchen. Volunteers share knowledge of basic gardening techniques, simple nutrition and kitchen skills with youth, bringing fresh produce from field to fork. The program increases youth self-esteem and self-sufficiency. To volunteer, you must complete an application, attend a training session and complete a criminal background check.
Our Cooking From the Garden calendar is full for Summer 2011 and we are not currently accepting volunteer applications. To sign up to receive more information about our 2012 season, please send your contact info to lwaugh at oregonfoodbank.org.
Seed to Supper
Volunteers lead workshops on a variety of gardening topics, from garden planning, to planting, to harvesting. To simplify the process, we provide a workshop manual, PowerPoint presentation and handouts. Workshop presenters should have a working knowledge of the topic and be able to answer questions. To become a workshop presenter, read the job description and fill out the interest sheet.
Other helpful links
Contact
Lisa Waugh, Learning Gardens volunteer coordinator
lwaugh at oregonfoodbank.org.
503-439-6510, Ext. 3314
