New to Volunteering with us?
Volunteer groups, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator Alison Sjoberg at alisons@foodbankwma.org.
Individuals are invited to register in our volunteer system, where you will be able to sign a waiver and sign up for available opportunities.
Thank you for dedicating your time and energy to support our work to end hunger in Western Massachusetts. Read-on for descriptions of our regular volunteer opportunities. All new volunteers must watch the appropriate orientation video(s) before their first shift.
Ways to Volunteer
Food Sorting Volunteers
Sorting donated food at our warehouse in Chicopee. Participants must be 16 years of age or older, and shifts are generally available Monday through Friday in the morning and Monday through Thursday in the afternoon.
Farm Volunteers
Available seasonally, this is currently our greatest volunteer need. Tasks can include building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores on Cultivating for Community.
Brown Bag Volunteers
Hosted at our Brown Bag: Food for Elders sites throughout Western Massachusetts, tasks include setting up tables, unloading trucks, decorating and packing grocery bags, and more.
Event and Special Opportunity Volunteers
Shifts for these volunteers will be posted as they are needed. Tasks are varied, and can range from event registration and parking direction to office support.
Food Bank Headquarters
Volunteer Orientation
This training for volunteers joining us at our headquarters at 25 Carew Street in Chicopee.
Food Sorting Volunteers must watch both this training, and the Food Safety Training.
If you have further questions please contact Alison Sjoberg at alisons@foodbankwma.org.
Food Bank Headquarters
Food Safety Training
This training is for volunteers in the sorting room at our headquarters at 25 Carew Street in Chicopee.
If you have further questions please contact Alison Sjoberg at alisons@foodbankwma.org.
Cultivating for Community
Farm Volunteer Training
This training is for volunteers joining us at Cultivating for Community on the second Food Bank Farm.
If you have further questions, please contact Amanda Reynolds at amandar@foodbankwma.org.
Volunteer Highlight: Cultivating for Community
Cultivating for Community is the Food Bank Farm’s regenerative farming and education initiative. The farmland is a part of our Second Food Bank Farm in Hadley, Massachusetts.
From regular volunteering hours to special events, CFC has opportunities for individuals and groups to learn new skills and participate in growing food that goes directly to local pantries.