Volunteer Your Time

Volunteer at the Food Bank

We are currently welcoming volunteer groups of 4-12 individuals on the following days and times. This is a perfect opportunity for a small corporate group looking for a team building opportunity.

  • Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Fridays from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Volunteers will be working on box packing projects, which involves standing and moving throughout the shift, occasional lifting of boxes up to 35 pounds, and being detail oriented.  Please note that all volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

We are booked through the month of June. If you would like a list of shifts available for groups of 4-12 volunteers in July and August, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator here.

Court-Ordered Community Service:

The Food Bank does not have court-ordered community service opportunities.  To get a list of organizations that do, please contact the United Way of Rhode Island by calling 2-1-1 from any phone.

Volunteer at a Member Agency

The 140 member agencies of the Food Bank rely on volunteers to meet the needs of their guests. Check out some of the opportunities available and contact them directly to get involved.

Lighthouse Community Food Pantry

Lighthouse Community Food Pantry currently has the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Volunteers needed on Monday mornings around 11:00 a.m. to assist with retail pick up at BJ’s Wholesale in Johnston.
    • Volunteers will be loading items to be delivered to the food pantry.
  • Volunteers needed on Monday afternoons at the food pantry at 30 Meeting Street in Cumberland from approximately 3:30-6:30 pm during weekly operating hours.
    • Duties include loading groceries for pantry guests, restocking shelves, and lifting bags, boxes and other food items from a truck and stocking the pantry area.
  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older
  • Volunteers must be able to lift up to 30lbs
  • This agency prefers that volunteers be vaccinated.

If you are interested in helping out on Mondays at either location, please contact Bill Pugsley at (401) 767-6410.

Central Falls Food Pantry at Progresso Latino

CFFP currently has the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Volunteers needed on Mondays and Wednesdays for the following shifts:
  • 8-10 a.m. to help with set up in the pantry
  • 10am-1pm to help with food distribution to pantry guests
  • 12-2 p.m. to help with clean up in the pantry
  • This agency requires that masks be worn at all times while volunteering.

If you are interested in helping out,  please email Dominga at ddiouf@progresolatino.org for more information.

East Bay Community Action

EBCAP in Tiverton and Newport currently has the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Wednesdays from 9am-4pm at the food pantry at 1048 Stafford Road in Tiverton.
  • Wednesdays from 9am-12pm at the food pantry at 19 Broadway in Newport.
  • Thursdays from 9am-12pm at the food pantry at 19 Broadway in Newport.
  • Volunteers will be greeting pantry guests, packing bags, stocking shelves and unloading deliveries from the Food Bank.
  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Volunteers must be able to lift up to 30lbs.

If you are interested in helping out on Wednesdays or Thursdays at either location, please contact Erin Fogarty at 401-632-6348 or efogarty@ebcap.org .

Federal Hill House

Federal Hill House in Providence has two volunteer opportunities currently available at both 35 Swiss Street and 261 Manton Ave:

  • Volunteers are needed Tuesday – Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for various tasks including greeting guests, helping them select food items throughout the pantry, and restocking shelves as needed. The agency is happy to be flexible with shifts to suit your needs and focus on the positive qualities you bring to the table. Shifts can vary in length based on your availability as well.

If you are interested in helping out, please contact Michele Matott at volunteer@federalhillhouse.org or at 401-421-1095. Masks are required at 261 Manton Ave, and strongly encouraged at 35 Swiss St.  Spanish-speaking volunteers are also welcome!

Jonnycake Center of Westerly

Jonnycake Center of Westerly has the following opportunities currently available:

  • Looking for an opportunity to get out of the house and do some good? The Jonnycake Food Pantry is seeking motivated can-doers to help round out our volunteer staff! Volunteers get to work in a rewarding, supportive environment, and those who work above a minimum number of hours get discounts in our Thrift Store!

Ready to volunteer? Email volunteer@jonnycake.org or visit jonnycake.org/volunteer to get started!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

The MLK Center in Newport has several ongoing volunteer opportunities.

For more information, please contact Nancy Harten via email – NHarten@MLKCCenter.org – or call (401) 846-4828 x103. Or you can complete an online volunteer application form here.

St. Raymond’s Church Food Pantry

St. Raymond’s in Providence currently has the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Volunteers needed on Saturday mornings from approximately 8:30-11:30 a.m. The food pantry is open to guests from 9-11 a.m.
  • Volunteers needed on Thursday mornings from approximately 9:00-11:00 a.m. to assist with unloading weekly order from the Food Bank
  • Duties include selecting and bagging groceries for clients and restocking shelves, and lifting bags, boxes and other food items from a truck and stocking the pantry area.
  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older
  • Volunteers must be able to lift 10-25lbs
  • This agency prefers that volunteers be vaccinated.  Masks are required at all times in the pantry.
  • This agency does not accommodate court-ordered community service hours.

If you are interested in helping out on one or more Thursday or Saturday per month, please contact Jeb Butler at (401) 323-8305.

Holy Family Parish

Holy Family Parish in Pawtucket currently has the following volunteer opportunity available:

  • Volunteers needed on Monday mornings from approximately 9am – 11am to help unload the weekly delivery from the Food Bank.
  • Volunteers MUST be comfortable with heavy lifting, boxed items can weigh up to 40-45 lbs.
  • Volunteers will unload from the Food Bank truck, transfer to carts and then transport items via elevator to the freezer and/or shelving area.
  • This agency prefers that volunteers be vaccinated.

If you are interested in helping out on Monday mornings please contact our Volunteer Coordinator here.

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