What It’s Like to Volunteer at the Food Bank
What It’s Like to Volunteer at the Food Bank
Thousands of individuals choose to volunteer at the Food Bank every year. Find out why.
Volunteering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is considered one of the top volunteering opportunities in LA County. With just three hours of your time, you’re helping feed hundreds of thousands of individuals who turn to the Food Bank each month for food assistance.
When someone volunteers at the Food Bank, they’re helping glean and sort through food and products donated to the Food Bank by growers, wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers; about 10% of food distributed is purchased by the Food Bank.
The Food Bank has two warehouses where it hosts volunteers – its new City of Industry Distribution Center, and its historic South Los Angeles Distribution Center. Volunteers can also choose to help in distributions throughout the County or volunteer at one of our hundreds of partner agencies.
The City of Industry Experience
In late June 2024, the Food Bank inaugurated its new City of Industry Distribution Center, a 256,000-square-foot warehouse that will allow the organization to maximize its reach, and serve LA County more efficiently.
Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Food Bank raised sufficient funds to purchase and renovate the facility. With the renovations, two new production rooms for volunteers to pack shelf-stable items were added: the S. Mark Taper Foundation Food Rescue Center, where volunteers will glean fresh produce, and the Goodman Family Foundation Volunteer Center, where volunteers get a first glimpse of the Food Bank’s work.
Learn more about the Building Hope Campaign
Why I Chose to Volunteer at the Food Bank
Kevin Daley retired about seven years ago. Coming from a fast-paced work environment, he wanted to find the perfect activity to keep himself busy. After giving his hobbies a try, he felt that there was still something missing. So, he decided to look into organizations that were doing good in the community, and that’s when he found the LA Regional Food Bank.
Daley came to the Food Bank to volunteer, and since then, has returned on an almost weekly basis.
“[The Food Bank] has a good cause, and that’s what I was really looking to support,” Daley said.
More Stories from the LA Regional Food Bank
Target’s $100,000 Gift Helps the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Provide Food Assistance in Times of Need
Target has supported the Food Bank since 2006, donating over $2 million to help support food assistance programs across LA County.
Supporting Student Success Through Food Assistance: The Impact of the Food Bank’s Presence in College Campuses
The Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry aims to meet neighbors where they need it, including on college campuses.
When You Volunteer, You Help Others, and You Grow, Too
One of the biggest turning points in Izaak’s high school journey was volunteering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Learn more.
Removing Barriers, Building Community: Why Campus Food Distributions Matter
During a recent Mobile Food Pantry distribution event, PCC student Ducien shared why these resources are important, not only for students but for the community.