VOLUNTEER IN THE WAREHOUSE
Donations come to us in all forms and need to be sorted before we distribute them. That’s where volunteers come in! The Regional Food Bank receives donations of non-perishable food, produce, paper products, household items, personal hygiene supplies, school supplies, clothes, diapers, and more that need to be repacked into useable, family-sized packages. Whatever you sort when you volunteer at the Regional Food bank, your efforts help low-income families stretch their limited budgets and eat better.
We currently need the most help during the evening and weekend shifts. We take individuals, families, and groups of all ages to help us sort food and other non-food essentials. Summer hits food pantries and soup kitchens hard- as many people struggle provide the food needed to feed their families after the school year, and school meals, end.
Volunteer Activities
Sorting and Re-Boxing Donations on our Warehouse Dock
All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes
Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
We host volunteers of all ages to help us sort and repack all kinds of donations. We run two hour shifts between 5:00pm and 8:00pm Monday through Thursday evenings as well as on weekends between 9:00am and 3:00pm. Volunteers of all ages and ability levels are welcome to help us organize primarily non-food items such as bedding, school supplies, personal hygiene products, clothes, and other items to get distributed to the Food Bank’s member agencies. Grab you family, some friends, colleagues, or your organization to help us this summer!
Sorting in our Salvage Sorting Room
All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes
Volunteers must be 18 or older to work in the Salvage Sorting Room
We are currently looking for individual volunteers to help us sort and repack non-perishable food donations in our Salvage room. We offer shifts Tuesday through Friday mornings, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 12:00 p.m. Because of the training involved, we do ask that those interested in this opportunity make a regular commitment to volunteering. We will teach you about our food safety policies and sell-buy date guidelines, as well as show you how to identify food items that have become unfit for consumption- ensuring the health of those on the receiving end of your efforts.
Please note: Our weekday Salvage opportunities for GROUPS will be on hiatus for the next month. If you are interested in organizing an opportunity within that time for your business or organization, we would love your help at the Patroon Land Farm! See what the farm has to offer and fill out a group request form here.
How To Register for a Shift
If you are looking to volunteer as an individual or family, please register using our online volunteer management software below. Once you find openings that fit with your schedule, simply click “Register for an Event” and you will be redirected to begin creating your volunteer profile in our system. If you are looking to register your family, click here for directions on how to add family members to your profile. If you are looking to volunteer in our Salvage Sorting Room, please contact us directly by phone (518) 786-3691 ext. 263 or by email at volunteers@regionalfoodbank.net to set up your shifts.
Are you looking to organize a GROUP? Businesses, community organizations, school groups, and more are always welcome to volunteer with us! Scroll down to the bottom of the page and complete the Group Request form. A coordinator will reach out to set up an event! Include as much information as possible about your group- size, ages, and preferable dates/times. Please specify in the “Additional Comments” section you are interested in volunteering at our Latham Warehouse location. If looking to volunteer as a family or with a few friends, please have all volunteers create individual profiles and sign up for a shift using our online registration below.
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York | 965 Albany Shaker Road | Latham, NY 12110