Volunteer For The Food Bank

Check out the latest Volunteer Opportunity announcements here.

** The next orientation session for Food Bank volunteers has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Volunteer applications are being accepted for processing now but volunteer hours cannot be scheduled until after this orientation session. Thanks for your interest! **

Helping the Hungry

How many volunteers does it take to provide weekly supplemental food bag to families in need? The answer is about 200 if that it comes from the Crisis Center’s Food Bank. Volunteers are critical to the program's operation and serve in a variety of roles that are listed below. All Food Bank volunteers must complete a 4-hour orientation that is offered several times a year and some opportunities require additional training. Most commit to working a weekly shift.

It is ideal if you are available to volunteer for a minimum of six months and you must be at least 14 years old to work in the Food Bank without the supervision of a parent, grandparent, guardian or other adult companion.

Warehouse Assistants

If you are comfortable working on your feet and on concrete flooring, the Food Bank warehouse might be the place for you. Located onsite here at the Crisis Center, volunteers are needed in the warehouse on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for a 2 - 3 hour shift to organize pallets of food, sort donations, and flatten, crush and bail cardboard.

You must be able to safely lift 40 pounds to volunteer as a Warehouse Assistant. Additional training is provided as needed to operate warehouse machinery.

Food Sorters/Stockers

This position has the crucial role of handling donations from the public and keeping the Food Bank shelves stocked with food. As a sorter/stocker, you would be scheduled for a 2 - 3 hour shift on a weekday between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and would weigh and record incoming donations, sort items by category, check for expiration dates and damage, and re-stock shelves with food. In this position, you have the opportunity for positive interactions with both the Crisis Center's clients and donors.

Client Guides (Bilingual Opportunity)

Guides are needed Monday through Friday from 11:30 – 5:00 p.m. for 2 – 3 hour shifts to assist clients as they select their food. As a guide, you would be stationed in the shelving area to call back clients for their turn, assist with questions at key points, or weigh and help bag client food at checkout. You may also accept incoming food donations, help pack food bags, repackage bulk items, and other duties.

Resource Helpers (Bilingual Opportunity)

If you are interested in being one of the first people to greet Food Bank clients, have basic computer skills, and are available Monday through Friday between 12:00 – 4:30 p.m. for a 2 – 3 shift, consider volunteering at our Front Desk. In addition to greeting clients, you will process request forms (requires computer data entry), help answer Food Bank phone calls, respond to client questions, and other tasks. Depending on the day of week or month, the Front Desk can be a hectic location so patience and a pleasant demeanor are a plus.

An additional training session is required for Front Desk volunteers and you must be at least 18 years old.

Client Interviewers (Bilingual Opportunity)

Interviewers have direct interaction with Food Bank clients and must be open-minded, compassionate and good listeners. You also need basic computer skills and must be available Monday through Friday between 12:00 – 4:30 p.m. for a 2 – 3 shift. Interviews are done with all new families who come to the Food Bank to receive services, and returning clients may ask for assistance with an issue or information about other programs and services in the community.

An additional training is required for Client Interviewer volunteers and you must be at least 18 years old.

Evening/Weekend Stockers

If you aren’t available during weekday hours and can lift up to 40 pounds without health concerns, serving as an Evening/Weekend Stocker could be just the job for you. Choose a weeknight or weekend day to come in for 2 – 3 hours and restock food shelves, sort and shelve food donations, and other related tasks.

Becoming a Volunteer

To become a Food Bank volunteer, you must first complete a Volunteer Application which includes a criminal background check (traffic violations or non-violent convictions will not disqualify you from volunteering). The 3-page application can be faxed to (319) 351-5671 or mailed to:

      The Crisis Center of Johnson County
      ATTN: Volunteer Services
      1121 Gilbert Court
      Iowa City IA 52245-4528

Please consider enclosing a $8.50 donation to cover the Crisis Center's cost for completing the background check. After the application is received, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.

If you have any questions about the Food Bank program or becoming a volunteer, please email stefanie.bell@jccrisiscenter.org or call Stefanie Bell at (319) 351-2726 ext. 120 weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Internship/Practicum Opportunities

The Crisis Center can also facilitate unpaid internships and practicum experiences in the Food Bank under the direction of a licensed master social worker. To inquire about an internship or practicum, contact Sarah Benson Witry via email at sarah.witry@jccrisiscenter.org or by phone at (319) 351-0128.