The volunteer event I want to attend says full, can I still come?

All volunteers must register ahead of time; we do not currently accept any walk-ins. Volunteer shifts operate on a first come, first serve basis. If your desired volunteer shift is full, you can add yourself to the waitlist and a member of our team will contact you if a spot opens up.

How do I register for a volunteer event as an individual?

If you are a first-time volunteer, you will be asked to create a login and password when you sign up for your first shift on our volunteer registration system. Once registered and logged in, select your shift, and a confirmation email will be sent back to you.

For returning volunteers, simply log in, select a shift, and you will receive a confirmation email.

To sign up for a volunteer shift, please visit our Volunteer Event Listing and Registration.

Please be sure to store your login information for future use.

How do I register my group?

If you would like to volunteer as a group of 5 or more, please submit a Group Volunteer Request and someone from our team will get back to you within 72 hours.

To learn more or to register, please visit our Group Volunteer page.

Do I need to fill out any waiver forms prior to volunteering?

Yes. Upon registering for a volunteer shift online, all volunteers will be prompted to fill out our waiver forms.

Can I complete court assigned community service hours at your facility?

Yes. We accept court assigned volunteers on a case-by-case basis – depending on the infraction. Some infractions may not be permitted at our facility. Please contact our Volunteer Department for more information.

Ana Martinez (Sr. Director of Volunteer Services & Partnerships) – amartinez@lafoodbank.org
Lucy Le (Corporate Volunteer Engagement Manager) – lle@lafoodbank.org

What should I wear to my volunteer project?

All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes; no heels, open-toe shoes, or sandals are allowed inside the warehouse. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing – such as jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes.

Your safety is our priority. All volunteers are required to wear a mask (covering both the nose and mouth) throughout the entire volunteer shift. N95, KN95, and Surgical Masks only – no cloth masks are allowed.

Can I bring food for my group?

You may bring food for your team, but please keep in mind that food and drinks are not allowed inside the warehouse – only in the designated break area. The break area is a shared space and cannot be reserved for private parties.

Can I bring donations with me on the day of my volunteer project?

Yes, please see our Best Foods to Donate guideline for a list of desirable items.

How far in advance should I sign up?

Individual volunteer shifts operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. If your desired volunteer shift is full, you can add yourself to the waitlist and a member of our team will contact you if a spot opens up.

For group volunteering, please contact us 3 to 4 weeks in advance.

Are there volunteer opportunities on Sundays?

We are closed on Sundays; however, we have plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the week from Tuesday to Saturday. To learn more, please visit our Volunteer page.

Do you offer any virtual volunteer opportunities?

Yes. Please visit our Virtual Volunteer Opportunities to learn more.

To sign up for a virtual volunteer opportunity, please contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Madi Kay at mkay@lafoodbank.org.

I have additional questions that are not answered here. Who can I contact?

To learn more about becoming a Food Bank volunteer and/or to have questions answered that are not addressed on this FAQ page, please contact our Volunteer Department.

• Ana Martinez (Sr. Director of Volunteer Services & Partnerships) – amartinez@lafoodbank.org
• Lucy Le (Corporate Volunteer Engagement Manager) – lle@lafoodbank.org