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Volunteer Opportunities

Your time is important to us!  Volunteers help make the Great Plains Food Bank one of the most efficient hunger-relief organizations in the state.  Thanks to the help of more than 2,500 volunteers – who provide nearly 10,000 hours of service each year – the Great Plains Food Bank is able to feed more than 60,000 hungry children, seniors and working families who seek emergency food assistance at our partner feeding programs every year
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Whether you’re interested in repacking food, helping with office projects or assisting on a special event, there is something for you or your group.  The surest way to end hunger is to get involved.  Thank you for considering sharing your time.  Below are answers to questions you may have as you get started. Volunteer Here

Q.  Who may volunteer?
A.  Volunteering is perfect for individuals, families and groups.  We invite those involved with their church, business, service club, school, day care or neighborhood to join us in meeting the hunger needs of our neighbors.  Children of all ages are welcome.  Adult supervision is required for volunteers under the age of 18.   If you or your group would like to host a food and fund drive inconjuction with your volunteer service, click here.

Q.  How many people can I bring?
A.  The Volunteer Services department schedules volunteers based on the priority needs of the program as well as number of people necessary to complete the intended project.  The Great Plains Food Bank can accommodate groups of up to 25 people in our repack center – but groups of 5-10 are ideal.  It will be very helpful to know the number of people in your group when calling to schedule your volunteer date and time. 

Q.  May students conduct a field trip to tour and volunteer at the Great Plains Food Bank?
A.  Absolutely!  Students in all grades are welcome.  Volunteerism teaches civic duty and respect while developing leadership skills.
Q.  What types of volunteer opportunities are available?
A.  We have a variety of opportunities to choose from at the Great Plains Food Bank from repacking food and clothing, to assisting with clerical duties, to helping with a special event. There is project that will accommodate everyone’s time available and ability.  Some examples include:    

• Preparing Mobile Food Pantry boxes for distribution:  In our warehouse, volunteers sort through groceries and then repack a variety of food items into boxes.  These boxes are then distributed directly off the back of our truck to individuals and families living in under-served communities across North Dakota. 

• Repacking new clothing items received through the K.I.D.S. program:  Volunteers remove tags, separate into sizes and categories, mark weights and tags and pack items into boxes.  These items are then distributed to hunger-relief agencies across North Dakota and western Minnesota working with children and their families.

• Preparing bulk food items for distribution:  Volunteers repack bulk and unlabeled donated food products such as pasta, rice, unlabeled canned goods and pizzas into small one or two pound packages, seal the item, label it with all ingredients and allergy information and pack into case lots.

• Clerical assistance:  Volunteers assist office personnel with various mailing, data entry, filing and copying projects. 

• Special events:  Volunteers help with various tasks involved in conducting one of our special events.

Q.  What do you mean by 'repack'?
A.  Repack duties are the most common volunteer opportunity at the Great Plains Food Bank.  The majority of the food that the Food Bank receives needs something to be done with it: repacking bulk product to individual/family size, assembling boxes with assorted food, checking expiration dates, labeling product, etc.  All repack duties take place in the warehouse.

Q.  When may I volunteer?
A.  Hunger is a year round issue.  Volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours as well as some evenings and Saturdays.  The Food Bank is closed on Sunday.  All volunteer hours must be scheduled in advance.  Please contact Volunteer Services  to schedule a date and time that works best for you.
 
Q.  How do I get there?
A.  Visit the Great Plains Food Bank Contact Us page for driving instructions or Map It here.

Q.  What should I wear?
A.  Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes.  Closed-toe shoes are required; sandals and shorts are not allowed.  Jeans and sneakers are best. 
Q.  Is there a place to lock up my personal belongings?
A.  No, we encourage you to leave all purses, bags and backpacks in your vehicle, or plan to keep them with you at all times while volunteering. 

Q.  Do we need to bring anything to our volunteer session?
A.  In addition to a positive attitude, volunteers are welcome to bring a nonperishable food item.  Priority items include: soup, stew, tuna, canned fruit, pasta/sauce and peanut butter.  You and/or your group will also be required to complete the following Volunteer Information Form.  Feel free to print, review and bring with you to your volunteer experience.

Q.  Do we have to attend a training session prior to volunteering?
A.  Volunteers will be given a brief tour of the Great Plains Food Bank facility and detailed description and instructions of the project you will be working on - prior to your session. 

Q.  Will we be required to lift heavy objects?
A.  Many volunteer opportunities do not require heavy lifting.  Repack volunteers should be prepared to stand with some light lifting and bending, depending on the project.  Some warehouse volunteer positions include lifting pre-packed food boxes that weigh between 35-40 pounds.
 
Q.  Is there parking available?
A.  Yes, the Great Plains Food Bank has a parking lot that can accommodate your group’s transportation needs, including buses.