Volunteer FAQ

Please visit our individuals and families page to learn about opportunities and to sign up.

If you’ve volunteered before, 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 you are not already registered, you may be turned away.

Oregon Food Bank Headquarters – Portland
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. Be sure to first read the Covid-19 Updates and Important Things to Know. Then click on a specific shift for detailed information.

Please visit the Volunteer Calendar to view our most recent COVID Update and mask requirements.

Food Repack/Sort Shifts: take place in a warehouse environment where temperatures vary. Any shift has the potential to be held in a cold room kept at 50 degrees. We provide warm glove liners to be worn under the provided food safety gloves. We encourage volunteers to dress in layers. 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.

Please visit the Volunteer Calendar to view our most recent COVID Update and mask requirements.

All food safety gear will be provided. If the shift takes place in the cold room, warm glove liners will also be provided.

Oregon Food Bank is a facility that processes common food allergens.  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide details about the type of product we are packing on a given day because this can change at the last minute due to food availability and the needs of our network.

To accommodate those with latex allergies, we use vinyl gloves, hairnets, and aprons for food handling.

We’re counting on your help to get food out to people who really need it! If you have to cancel, please login to your account to cancel your shift as soon as possible. Thank you.

For the safety of our volunteers, our staff and for the safety of the food we are distributing during the COVID pandemic, we have changed the age requirements for youth to volunteer. 

Volunteer shifts require a minimum age of 16 to participate.

Please check the minimum age requirements that are specified on each available shift listed on the Volunteer Calendar. 

Youth Release forms (required for 16 & 17 year olds) are required for first-time volunteers under 18. DOWNLOAD FORM

Please check the minimum age requirements that are specified on each available shift listed on the Volunteer Calendar. 

We DO NOT ACCEPT Court Mandated volunteers whose charges relate to an act of violence or sexual misconduct.

If you would like to apply to our Court Mandated Program, please review the information and application.

Yes. Please visit our Individuals & Families page to learn about opportunities and to sign up. Be sure to check the minimum age requirements for each shift on the Volunteer Calendar.

 

Yes. We do our best to make our volunteer opportunities accessible to everyone. Please email in advance to let us know how we can assist you and ensure that you have a successful and positive experience. Please email us at volunteer@oregonfoodbank.org 

If you 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.

Yes. All volunteers need to sign up in advance. Unregistered volunteers may be turned away.

We plan projects and assign staff based on the number of volunteers we’ve scheduled. For social distancing requirements, this is more critical during the COVID pandemic.

Please visit our individuals and families page to learn about opportunities and to sign up.

Our facility is not open to the public. For volunteer shifts, doors will be unlocked 15 min before the start of shifts. Doors will be locked at the start of the shift and throughout the shift itself. If you leave the building during a shift, you will not be able to re-enter as the doors will be locked.

Please practice social distancing as soon as you arrive at our facility, outside the building, in the main entrance and throughout the shift. 

Please visit the Volunteer Calendar to view our most recent COVID Update and mask requirements.

No. You may sign up for just those shifts that work for you.

If you are able to make a regular commitment, please note we are limiting food repack shifts to 3 a week due to COVID. If interested please email volunteer@oregonfoodbank.org.