Volunteer at the Food Bank
The Food Bank welcomes volunteer groups of 4-12 individuals during set weekday shifts. This is perfect for a small corporate group looking for a team building opportunity.
- Tuesdays from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesdays from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- Wednesdays from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
- Fridays from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Our volunteer schedule is currently booked through June. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for information about scheduling a shift for Summer 2024 and to be added to our waitlist.
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. All volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
Please Note: The Food Bank does not accommodate community service hours that are court-ordered or required by the Division of Motor Vehicles for license reinstatement.
Volunteer at a Member Agency
Many of our member agencies rely on volunteers to meet the needs of their guests. Check out some of the opportunities available and contact them directly to get involved.
Tap-In is in need of volunteers with expertise in either IT (preferably with knowledge of Salesforce) or grant applications and management. These functions can be done from home and on your own time, offering flexibility.
Both are unpaid voluntary positions, but they are a great way for you to keep your skills fresh, help our staff create efficiencies, and help to serve our community.
CONTACT: Summer Sheeley at shsheeley@gmail.com
Volunteers needed on Mondays and Wednesdays for the following roles:
- 8:00 – 10:00 AM for pantry set-up
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM for food distribution
- 12:00 – 2:00 PM for pantry clean-up
CONTACT: Dominga ddiouf@progresolatino.org
- 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.
- Must be 18 years of age or older, able to lift up to 30lbs and preferably vaccinated.
CONTACT: Bill Pugsley, (401) 767-6410
- Various ongoing volunteer opportunities.
CONTACT: Nancy Harten, NHarten@MLKCCenter.org, (401) 846-4828 x103
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.
CONTACT: Volunteer Coordinator
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.
- Both sites require that volunteers be vaccinated.
- Masks are required at 261 Manton Ave, and strongly encouraged at 35 Swiss St.
- Spanish-speaking volunteers needed
CONTACT: Michele Matott, 401-421-1095, volunteer@federalhillhouse.org
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 and 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.
CONTACT: Jeb Butler, (401) 323-8305
St. Charles SVDP Ministry in Providence has two volunteer opportunities currently available at their location at 178 Dexter Street:
- Volunteers are needed Tuesdays from 10am-12pm to assist with interviewing and registering guests during weekly pantry hours. Basic computer skills required and Spanish-speaking volunteers are preferred.
- Volunteers are needed Thursdays from 12pm-6pm to assist with meal/food prep for weekly meal service for approximately 80 guests. Volunteers must have experience as a line cook and be comfortable preparing large quantities of food in an industrial kitchen setting.
CONTACT: Joan Zompa, 401-273-1108
St. Edward Food and Wellness Center in Providence currently has the following volunteer opportunities available:
- Volunteers needed on Tuesday mornings from approximately 8:30am – 11am to help unload the weekly delivery from the Food Bank and transport items to the freezer or shelving area.
- Volunteers needed on Wednesday mornings from approximately 10am – noon (during pantry hours) to assist guests picking up food items.
- Volunteers MUST be comfortable with heavy lifting, boxed items can weigh up to 40-45 lbs.
- This agency prefers that volunteers be vaccinated.
CONTACT: Lori Porcaro, 401-225-1702, loriporcaro@hotmail.com
Jericho Road in Smithfield currently has the following volunteer opportunities:
- Tuesday mornings from 10am-1pm to help unload the delivery from the Food Bank and restock shelves. Small groups of 4-8 volunteers would be most helpful.
- Tuesday afternoons from 2pm-6pm to help with passing out food to guests, restocking shelves, distributing produce and guest registration.
- Thursday mornings from 9:30am-1pm to help unload the delivery from the Food Bank and restock shelves. Small groups of 4-8 volunteers would be most helpful.
- Saturday mornings from 8am-1pm to help with passing out food to guests, restocking shelves and distributing produce.
- All volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
CONTACT: Email Justin at Jerichoroad@osbc.org or call the church at #401-231-1980 and ask for Jericho Road or Justin.
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 and able to lift up to 30lbs.
CONTACT: Erin Fogarty, 401-632-6348, efogarty@ebcap.org
- Various hours and support opportunities available.
CONTACT: volunteer@jonnycake.org or jonnycake.org/volunteer
Connecting for Children & Families currently has the following volunteer opportunities available at their Front Street Family Center located at 719 Front Street, Suite 107:
- Volunteers needed on Wednesday mornings between 9am-12pm to help unload the weekly delivery from the Food Bank and transport items to the freezer or shelving area.
- Volunteers MUST be comfortable with heavy lifting, boxed items coming off the truck can weigh up to 40-45 lbs.
- Volunteers needed on Thursdays from 12:30-4:30pm and on Fridays from 9am-4:30pm (during pantry hours) to assist guests picking up food items.
CONTACT: Felix Colon, 401-895-1744, fcolon@ccfcenter.org
Volunteer at a Community Farm (Seasonal)
Every spring and summer, our community farms accept volunteers to help prepare the land, plant and harvest. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. It’s a great activity for families, schools, businesses and civic groups! To volunteer at a community farm, contact them directly using the information listed below:
142 Abbot Run Valley Road, Cumberland
Email the Volunteer Coordinator
Visit the Franklin Farm Website
Hope’s Harvest RI mobilizes volunteers to harvest surplus food from farms in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts and distributes it to hunger relief agencies in like the Food Bank. They are now a part of Farm Fresh RI.
No agricultural experience is necessary, and all training and equipment is provided.
To learn more and register to volunteer from June to December, click here and sign up for their mailing list to receive updates.
106 Birch Swamp Road (Farm at end of Robbins Lane), Warren
Join McCoy Community Farm on Facebook
1351 Centreville Road, Warwick
Coordinator is Kendra Anderson
Email West Bay Farm or call (401) 921-1249
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Other Ways to Get Involved
Host a Virtual Fundraiser
Set up an online fundraiser to raise money with your friends, family, or colleagues.
Learn More
Donate Food
Learn how you can start a food drive to benefit the Food Bank. See a list of needed food and download posters and materials.
Start a Drive
Advocate for Change
Join us in advocating for policies that can decrease food insecurity and strengthen our communities.
Advocate
Join Our Email List
Stay up to date on the need for food assistance in our community and how you can help.