Volunteer with the Pantry

We are always looking to add to our volunteer team! New volunteers are provided with orientation and mentoring.

We provide training for each of our volunteer opportunities, so you do not need any special background. Some tasks require specific skills, such as computer skills for entering records or ability to lift for unloading or arranging food in the warehouse. However, our only general requirement is a caring and positive attitude toward other volunteers and the families we serve.

volunteering for the first time?

Our volunteers keep the Pantry running smoothly by doing everything from bagging groceries, to stocking shelves, helping fundraise, and more.

We would love to have you join our team!

GET STARTED HERE

Volunteer opportunities

A unique opportunity for every volunteer.

For volunteering without attending volunteer orientation:

Open Volunteer Time

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month for a drop-in volunteer opportunity between 4-6 p.m. No training or experience is necessary or required, and family and friends are welcome. Open Volunteer shifts could consist of tasks like stocking food, sorting donations, light cleaning, repackaging of items, or anything else that the pantry may need help with. To sign up, please CLICK HERE and follow the sign-up instructions.

Open Garden Times

Want to help out in the Growing Together Garden? No experience or registration is necessary. Open Garden times are Tuesdays from 10 am - 12 pm, and Thursdays from 4 - 6 pm from May through September. Learn more about gardening, help with watering and weeding, harvest produce for the Pantry and even bring some home!

Volunteer roles available after attending volunteer orientation:

Working On-Shift During Shopping

On-shift volunteers help while we are open to the public for shopping. Tasks include greeting families, receiving food donations, bagging groceries for families, stocking shelves, among many other tasks.

Scheduled volunteer hours for On Shift are Monday-Thursday and Saturday from 9-12 p.m, and Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-6:15 p.m.

Working Off-Shift

There are multiple opportunities to volunteer when the Pantry is closed. You can stock shelves between shifts or after we close for the night, help tidy up around the Pantry, shop pre-sacked groceries for out-of-area families, and more. This is a great opportunity if you need a flexible schedule with hours of your choosing.

Community Closet

Help distribute clothes to families at the Community Closet. These Volunteers assist families with finding clothing items and checking out. There are flexible roles like sorting clothes where volunteers sort, organize, and re-stock clothing items when we are closed to the public.

Scheduled volunteer hours for the Community Closet are Monday-Thursday and Saturday from 9:15 am -12 pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15 - 6:15 pm. Clothing Sorting is flexible outside of pantry operating hours.

Grocery Delivery

Grocery delivery is the fastest-growing program at the Pantry. Grocery deliveries are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 1-3 p.m. Volunteers help with shopping orders, bagging groceries, and delivering groceries to neighbors in North Liberty and parts of rural Johnson County. You are welcome to do just the shopping, just the driving, or both! Volunteer hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12:30-3 p.m. The hours may change depending on what roles you are interested in.

Fundraising

Do you like administrative work and behind-the-scenes fundraising efforts? Volunteers can provide fundraising support by helping with data entry, record keeping, writing thank you notes, helping with mailing, and more! If you're interested in fundraising and development, contact Grace Katzer, the marketing and development coordinator.

Serving on Leadership Committees

In addition to our Board of Directors, we have six committees that oversee the operations and planning for the Pantry. Each takes on a different aspect of ensuring that the Pantry operates to its full potential. Committees meet monthly with times varying according to the schedules of committee members.

Operations Committee: Prepares for the day-to-day work of the Pantry and support tasks.
Finance Committee: Tracks donations, spending, and prepares the budget.
Volunteer Support Committee: Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to provide support for volunteers through planning appreciation events, brainstorming improvements to the volunteer experience, and finding creative ways to grow the volunteer base.
Fundraising and Marketing Committee: Helps link the Pantry to the community by fundraising and building awareness of our services
Garden Committee: works on programs for the Growing Together Garden including growing fresh produce, hosting cooking, preparation and preservation classes and encouraging community engagement in the garden
Grants Committee: identify funding opportunities and submit grant applications for the Pantry and its programs