Are you fluent in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Farsi, or Arabic?

Food for Others is seeking volunteers to assist clients during the intake process by verbally translating program information from English, into these various languages, to better serve our clients. Please register in our volunteer system, indicate your language(s), and check all applicable skills including “Program Participant Intake.” We will notify you when we have an open position that matches your skills and interests.

The warehouse is the heart of our operation.  This is where all of our food donations are stored and where volunteers and staff members sort, package and distribute USDA and emergency food supplies directly to our clients. Volunteers play an integral role in this operation, so please be prepared to help with whatever tasks are required that particular day. The warehouse is high energy, full of activity and a great place to roll up your sleeves and make a difference!

Warehouse Info:

• Volunteer shifts are Monday-Friday from 10:00am-Noon OR 3:00-5:00pm.
• Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age.
• Children ages 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Individuals MUST sign up in advance and be on our schedule to volunteer.  No walk-ins permitted.
• Volunteers must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and be on their feet the entire shift.
• All volunteers must wear closed toe shoes.  NO EXCEPTIONS!
• Safety regulations do not allow cell phones or ear buds while working in the warehouse.
• Please do not bring valuables with you to volunteer.
• The warehouse is not climate controlled, so please dress according to the weather outside.

Warehouse Tasks:

• Sort donated food & check for expired items
• Check cans and boxes for expiration dates
• Stock shelves
• Bag produce/frozen foods/non-perishable canned goods
• Unload trucks/ cars
• Assemble weekend food packs (Power Packs) for food insecure children
• Assist with cleaning the warehouse/office spaces
• Rinse storage tubs

Front office volunteers are the first faces program participants see when they enter our building.  They provide an invaluable service to our organization by treating our program participants with respect, dignity, patience and compassion. These volunteers greet program participants and social workers, input their information into our database, verify client applications, process food orders, and assist clients with shopping for emergency food.

Volunteers must be comfortable interacting with a diverse population, proficient in basic computer skills (Microsoft Outlook and Access Database), and able to exercise discretion when problems arise or numerous participants arrive at once.  This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys direct service, is retired or has a flexible schedule, is bilingual, and/or interested in social work or nutrition.  Training will be provided on the intake system, requirements for program eligibility, and types of services we provide.  New front office volunteers typically “shadow” more experienced volunteers until they feel confident with the intake process.

Front Office Qualifications:

• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office is helpful
• Consistency and arriving on time are very important
• Ability to multi-task and not get flustered when the lobby is busy
• Ability to treat participants with dignity and respect
• Ability to communicate effectively with other volunteers and staff
• Good people skills and the ability to communicate with a diverse population
• Bilingual language skills helpful, but not required
• Good sense of humor a plus!

Front Office Tasks:

• Greet participants, verify identification/residence/income, input requested service into system
• Answer questions about eligibility; contact social worker or service agency if there is a question
• Interact with a diverse population; English is typically a second language for our participants
• Answer main phone line & give basic information about our services, hours of operation, directions, etc.
• Perform basic office tasks such as filing, copying & shredding

If interested, please register in our volunteer system and check all the applicable skills including “Program Participant Intake.”

The TP Food Distributor position involves gathering a program participant’s food together and distributing it to them at the loading dock.

This is a physical position and requires the ability to pack and move heavy boxes of food onto the loading dock (at least 20 lbs).  This is the perfect position if you like fresh air, exercise and interacting with a diverse population.

Ticket Pulling Qualifications:

• Volunteer shifts are Monday-Friday from 9:15am-1:15pm or 1:00-5:00pm
• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
• Good people skills and comfort interacting with a diverse population
• Must treat participants with respect and dignity
• Bilingual language skills helpful, but not required
• This is a physcial job, volunteers will be on their feet for the majority of the shift
• All volunteers must wear closed toe shoes. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Ability to lift at least 20 lbs
• Safety regulations do not allow cell phones or ear buds while working in the warehouse
• Please do not bring valuables into the warehouse with you
• The warehouse is not climate controlled so please dress according to the weather outside
• Keep calm and patient under pressure as the loading dock can get busy

TP Food Distributor Tasks:

• Create an assembly-line of boxes filled with food items
• Fill participant orders as they are received
• Ensure that clients proceed in an orderly fashion in the loading dock area
• Distribute orders to participants and load food into their vehicles if necessary

If interested, please register in our volunteer system.

Food for Others distributes food on weeknights to locations throughout Fairfax and Arlington Counties.  Volunteers play an integral role in this operation by picking up the food at our warehouse, driving it to the assigned location, and distributing it equitably amongst the individuals and families who come to receive services.  The food is picked up at Food for Others between 5:00-5:30pm and then distributed between 6:00-6:30pm. Please follow the detailed instructions for each shift distribution.

Neighborhood Site Requirements:

• Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license
• A child may accompany a volunteer, but be mindful of the activity at hand
• Must use your own vehicle to transport food
• Must be able to lift at least 20 pounds
• Must arrive on time to distribute the food
• Must have bility to treat recipients with respect and dignity
• Must have ability to diffuse difficult situations

Neighborhood Site Tasks:

• Load food from Food for Others warehouse into personal vehicle (between 5:00-5:30pm)*
• Transport food to assigned neighborhood location
• Distribute food in equitable manner (between 6:00-6:30pm)
• Return crates to warehouse

*Check shift descriptions for specific meeting instructions

If interested, please register in our volunteer system.