Donations come to us in all forms and often need to be sorted before we can distribute them. That’s where volunteers come in! We receive 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 with us, your efforts help low-income families stretch their limited budgets and eat better.
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 be distributed to our member agencies.
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
Individual volunteers help us sort and pack non-perishable food donations in our Salvage Sorting Room Tuesday – Friday mornings from 9am-12pm. Because of the training involved, we ask those that are interested in this opportunity to make a regular commitment to volunteering (weekly, monthly, etc.). We will teach you about food safety policies and sorting 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.
We also welcome groups of up to 25 adults to volunteer for afternoon shifts Tuesday – Friday from 12:30-3:30pm. If you are a group leader interested in scheduling one of these shifts, please complete the Volunteer Group Request Form below so we can follow up with you.
Click here for our Salvage Room Training Video.
How To Register for a Shift
If you are looking to volunteer as an INDIVIDUAL or FAMILY, please use our secure online volunteer management software below. Once you find openings that fit your schedule, click “Register for an Event” and you will be directed to create your secure volunteer profile in our system. If you are looking to register your family, see our 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, by email at volunteers@regionalfoodbank.net to set up an individual shift, or by using the Volunteer Group Request Form below if you want to schedule a group Salvage shift.
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 Volunteer 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 or our Cornwall-on-Hudson location.
If you are looking to volunteer as a family or with a few friends, please have each volunteer create an individual profile and sign up for a shift using our online registration below.