Volunteer - Food Bank for the Heartland
Skip to content
Share your time and talents as a volunteer
Food Bank for the Heartland volunteers are the heart of our organization—helping to ensure that neighbors across our service area receive the nutritious food they need. In FY 2025, our volunteers donated
53,328
hours
of service—the equivalent of nearly 26 full-time employees! We could not deploy our mission without their ongoing commitment.
Learn more about volunteering with the Food Bank, including common volunteer projects, age requirements, and recommended attire, in our Volunteer FAQs section.
HNGIORHAEN
It’s
National Volunteer Month
, and we’re celebrating the incredible people who power our mission—YOU! It is only through the compassion, energy, and generosity of our community that we can distribute nutritious food to Heartland neighbors in need. Click on the image below to view a special message of gratitude from our team.
THANK YOU
for being a difference maker in the fight against hunger!
Now it’s time to share your story!
Whether you’ve volunteered once or you’re a familiar face at the Food Bank, your story matters!
Click here to share more about your volunteer experience with the Food Bank.
Submit a quick written testimonial or a short video, whatever feels easiest for you. Once we receive your testimonials, we’ll share the video on our website and on social media. Your story could inspire someone else to get involved and help even more neighbors in need. Thank you for being part of our volunteer family!
Individuals and families
Groups and Organizations
Individuals and families
Individuals and Families
You do not need to be part of a larger group to volunteer with Food Bank for the Heartland. Whether you’re on your own, with your family, or a small group of friends, volunteering your time can be a fun and productive way to make a difference—whether it’s one time, a few hours each month, or once a year. Once you register, we’ll provide detailed information on how you’ll be helping and where you’ll need to be. We look forward to having you on our volunteer team!
Volunteer Center Hours:
Morning shift
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Tuesday – Saturday)
Afternoon Shift
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday)
Evening Shift
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Tuesday)
Closed Sundays and Mondays
register below
(for groups of five or more, please click on the green tab above)
Groups and Organizations
Groups and Organizations
For corporate, civic, youth, faith-based, and other groups, volunteering at Food Bank for the Heartland is a wonderful way to strengthen bonds, build camaraderie and unite for a great cause.
Once you’ve completed your group application, our volunteer coordinator will follow up with you to determine a suitable volunteer activity, date, and time based upon your group size and availability. We can accommodate groups of 3 to 45 people. If you have questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator at
[email protected]
or
402.331.1213.
Volunteer Center Hours:
Morning shift
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Tuesday – Saturday)
Afternoon Shift
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday)
Evening Shift
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Tuesday)
Closed Sundays and Mondays
Please fill out the group volunteer form below to get started.
Group Volunteer Form
When are volunteers needed in the Volunteer Center?
Morning shift
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Tuesday – Saturday)
Afternoon Shift
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
Evening Shift
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Tuesday)
Closed Sundays
Are reservations required?
Yes. Please reserve your volunteer time using the form above in Individuals and Families tab
. For group reservations, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at
402.331.1213
or
[email protected]
Do you require a minimum time commitment?
Volunteer shifts in the Volunteer Center range from 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the day. If you cannot stay for the full duration of the volunteer shift, we ask you notify our volunteer coordinator in advance.
How many people can I bring?
Food Bank for the Heartland can accommodate up to 50 people per shift, based on availability.
Do you need individual volunteers?
Most definitely! We request that you schedule your visit in advance using the form above under the Individuals and Families tab. You can come for a one-time volunteer experience or a recurring shift.
Can children volunteer?
Children and teens ages 10-15 may volunteer with adult supervision with a ratio of 1 adult to every 5 youth.
Can you verify service hours?
Yes. Food Bank for the Heartland can verify service hours for non-legal purposes. Please notify staff when scheduling your reservation.
Can you accommodate volunteers with special needs?
Yes. We have a limited number of shifts and activities for volunteers of all abilities. We are happy to make accommodations when needed. Please let us know about your individual or group’s special needs when making your reservation, and we will work with you to arrange an impactful opportunity.
Do you have refreshments available for volunteers?
Due to food safety considerations, no outside food or beverages, including water bottles, are allowed in the Volunteer Center. A water cooler and paper cups are available for volunteers to use during their shift.
Can our group bring in lunch?
Yes. If your group would like to bring in lunch, please contact the volunteer coordinator before making your reservation for a shift.
What should I wear?
Volunteers are encouraged to wear casual clothing (jeans, shorts, t-shirts) and are required to wear closed-toe shoes. For safety purposes, open-toe shoes (including flip flops and sandals) are not allowed. We suggest dressing in layers as the Volunteer Center may experience cooler temperatures.
What kinds of projects are conducted in the Volunteer Center?
Projects in the Volunteer Center are critical to our mission of eliminating hunger in the Heartland by ensuring consistent access to healthy food through community partnerships. Projects typically reflect the preparation needed to transport and distribute food to our pantry partners. That might include:
Sorting donated product
Packaging fresh produce
Packing food packs for the BackPack Program
Repackaging bulk donated products
Special projects the Food Bank has identified to support distribution
Featured Story
I first started volunteering through my former employer five years ago. I was able to work on backpacks and see first hand what an impact the Food Bank has in our community.
Sue Ceresa
Volunteer
It's an easy place to volunteer and have a hands-on experience. And the staff is so welcoming. If you're a first timer, you never feel intimidated or lost. Everything is very organized and purposeful. Plus, you get to see the results of your labor.
Patty Suarez
Volunteer
You are left with the feeling that your time does matter and your work can keep someone from hunger. I love that every project has a meaning.
Maureen Davis
Volunteer
Volunteer Stories
From longtime supporters to new volunteers, each Food Bank for the Heartland volunteer brings their own story and a unique reason for wanting to lend a hand. Read about the experiences of Food Bank volunteers, and find out why they love volunteering with the Food Bank.
View Stories
We are grateful for the community’s interest in our mission, and often get requests for interviews for school projects. If you’re a student working on a project and would like to speak with a member of the Food Bank staff, we ask that we receive questions in writing at least one week in advance of your due date. Requests will be accommodated based on staff availability. Thank you!