We appreciate your interest in volunteering with The Food Bank. Volunteers who serve with The Food Bank are a part of our mission to serve neighbors across our 32 county service area. Thank you for joining us in sharing food and bringing hope!

Volunteer Accomplishment Report 2022

Volunteers are the foundation of The Food Bank’s work! We’d like to say a special thanks to everyone who chooses to serve with us. Learn more about the scope and scale of the work of volunteers in the Volunteer Room, at local pantries and more with our Volunteer Accomplishments Report.


Volunteer Opportunities

VOlunteer room

The Food Bank’s Volunteer Room prepares food for distribution to partner agencies. Volunteers are needed to repack and relabel food, sort through donations, assemble boxes of food including our Senior Boxes, VIP Veteran Boxes, and Produce Boxes, and more. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older to serve in our Volunteer Room. Volunteers who are 12-15 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up here.

Community service

Any volunteer who must complete community service hours for legal reasons or for school-ordered disciplinary service must contact a member of our staff before signing up to serve. All community service volunteers must complete a screening before hours are credited to you. Contact us at (573) 474-1020 or volunteer@sharefoodbringhope.org.

The Market

The Market, previously known as Central Pantry, is The Food Bank’s main distribution center for people needing food assistance in the Columbia area. The space operates similarly to a grocery store, and volunteers are needed to sort through donations, support distribution counters, clean frequently used areas, and more.

Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Sign up here to volunteer at The Market.

Register a group

For volunteer groups of five or more volunteers, please fill out our Group Request Form. Groups are welcome to serve in our Volunteer Room and The Food Bank Market. Once you complete this form, a member of our team will follow up with you to confirm your reservation. Please be sure to have all members of your group confirmed at least 48 hours prior to the start of your shift. Register your group here.


Other opportunities

The Food Bank has additional opportunities for volunteers who want to continue to support our mission in ending food insecurity in Missouri. If you are interested in any of the opportunities listed below, please contact our volunteer team for more information or to sign up to serve at (573) 447-6620 or volunteer@sharefoodbringhope.org

Mobile Pantries

The Food Bank sends specially equipped trucks that distribute food to locations without enough access to other food assistance programs. Volunteers are needed to help operate these mobile distribution sites by setting up at the location, supporting check-in, and assisting families in getting food to their vehicles.  

Kids Helping Kids

The Volunteer Room hosts special events, typically in the summer, that bring in children as young as 5 years old to volunteer and make a difference in their community. Children ages 5-12 years old are encouraged to join their families in touring the warehouse and helping prepare food for distribution. One adult must accompany every two children.

Special Events

The Food Bank hosts special events throughout the year to raise awareness, food and funds. We need volunteers to help with our Hope for Heroes 5K, Taste of the Tigers, Partnership Against Hunger Food Drive, and One for One Holiday Food Drive.

Delivery Drivers

Volunteers who are able to drive emergency boxes of food to neighbors in Columbia are needed to help neighbors who lack adequate transportation.

SNAP Volunteers

SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income Americans put food on the table. We need volunteers to support The Food Bank in enrolling eligible neighbors into the program. Learn more.

Ballard Youth Leadership

The Ballard Youth Leadership Program is for teens age 14-18 to learn about the issue of food insecurity and developing tools to address the needs in their community. Learn more.

Front Desk

Volunteers are needed to support administrative tasks during the lunch hour. This includes answering phones, accepting donations, and supporting volunteers as they enter the building.


What to know before volunteering

What to wear

  • Closed-toe shoes

  • Shirts that cover your shoulders (no tank-tops or crop tops)

  • Hair nets and beard nets (will be provided by The Food Bank)

Food Safety

  • Volunteers must wash hands at the start of every shift, when switching tasks, and after using the restroom.

  • Volunteers must wear gloves when handling food products

  • Volunteers cannot consume food or drinks while in the Volunteer Room or The Food Bank Market shopping floor

Accessibility

The Food Bank is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We strive to provide volunteer opportunities for all of our community members. If you need to request an accommodation to serve for one of our opportunities, please contact our team at (573) 447-6620 or volunteer@sharefoodbringhope.org.

Allergen Notice

The Food Bank For Central & Northeast Missouri works with the following allergens: milk, eggs, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

Photo Permissions

The Food Bank takes photographs and videos of volunteers. If you do not want your photo taken, please contact us at (573) 447-6620 or volunteer@sharefoodbringhope.org.

Harassment

The Food Bank believes that all employees and volunteers have the right to work in an environment free of unlawful harassment including sexual harassment. The Food Bank strictly prohibits any form of unlawful harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, or status in any group protected by state of local law. If you experience any harassment during your volunteer time, promptly report the incident to a member of The Food Bank staff. You can also contact us at (573) 447-6620 or volunteer@sharefoodbringhope.org to report an incident.

Volunteers in Need of Food

Per our contract with Feeding America, The Food Bank’s food is not allowed for consumption by volunteers. Volunteers in need are welcome to access food by visiting one of our pantries. The Food Bank Market is open to all community members, including volunteers who can shop at the end of their shift.