Volunteer FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
General inquiries
If you’ve volunteered before, just login here.
All volunteers need to sign up in advance. We plan projects and assign staff based on the number of volunteers we’ve scheduled.
If you come to a shift and we don’t have you on our roster, you may be turned away.
7900 NE 33rd Drive, Portland, OR 97211
GOOGLE MAPS: walk/bike/car/bus directions
Oregon Food Bank West – Washington County
1870 NW 173rd Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006
GOOGLE MAPS: walk/bike/car/bus directions
Check here to view our volunteer calendar. Then click on a specific shift for detailed information.
This varies with the type of shift you’ve signed up for and will be included in the job description.
Food repack shifts:
For safety reasons, you WILL BE TURNED AWAY for improper footwear and clothing. Shoes must have closed toes and heels (no sandals, clogs, mules or high heels). Shirts must have sleeves (NO TANK TOPS). Please remove and secure jewelry prior to the shift. Temperatures in the volunteer areas can vary. Layers are recommended.
To accommodate those with latex allergies, we use vinyl gloves, hairnets, and aprons for food handling.
Who can volunteer?
Youth under 16 need to volunteer with an adult or chaperone. Minimum age for chaperones is 18. DOWNLOAD CHAPERONE GUIDELINES.
Age requirements:
Fresh Alliance (FA): Age 14+
Food Recovery Center (FRC): Age 16+
Volunteer Action Center (VAC): Age 6+
Perishables Repack Room (PRR):
– at Beaverton facility: Age 6+
– at Portland Headquarters: Age 16+
Learning Garden: All ages
Special Events: Age 16+
If you would like to apply to our Court Mandated Program, please review the information and application.
Please visit our individuals and families page to learn about opportunities and to sign up.
If you or a member of your group will be accompanied by a certified/registered service animal, we require advance notice so that we may provide you a volunteer experience that will ensure your enjoyment and meet our need to strictly adhere to all federal and state laws, including the FDA food and safety regulations put in place to avoid contamination. Please email volunteer@oregonfoodbank.org several days in advance.
When can I volunteer?
We plan projects and assign staff based on the number of volunteers we’ve scheduled. Please visit our individuals and families page or groups page to learn about opportunities and to sign up.
If you come to a shift and we don’t have you on our roster, you may be turned away.
*Guidelines for sign up are more flexible for our garden programs.
Unfortunately, because of the size of our operation, we cannot schedule shifts outside of the regular schedule.
If you are able to make a regular commitment – that would be wonderful! We recommend that you try out the different types of shifts, and when you find a time/shift you like, ask your volunteer coordinator to sign you up as a regular.
Groups
Check here for information about signing up groups.
All of our volunteer shifts are at a set day and time. Shifts not listed indicate they are full or not available. Please sign up for the posted shift times.
We ask all volunteers to arrive 15 minutes before their shift start time and stay for the duration of the shift.
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Grades K-5 – one adult for every five children
Grades 6-8 – one adult for every seven children
Grades 9-12 – one adult for every 10 students
Note: we do not have space available for students to have lunch.
Check here to volunteer in Portland or Beaverton.
For directions and options for transportation, click check here.
Do not bring additional volunteers over the number of spaces you have reserved.
If you find you don’t need all the spaces you’ve reserved, decrease your group size. This will open up spots for others to be able to sign up.
The maximum for school groups is 75, including adult chaperones.
For other groups, depending on the shift, groups can bring up to 110.
Email volunteer@oregonfoodbank.org if you have a group larger than 85 in order to make special arrangements.
The “My Groups” section allows you to cancel the group shift yourself. Then, go back to the Calendar and sign up for a different date. Sign In to manage your shifts.
What if my questions still aren’t answered?
Please email us: volunteer@oregonfoodbank.org