Can children volunteer?

Due to safety regulations, volunteers MUST be 18 years of age or older to volunteer (sorry, no exceptions).

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

No, everyone must register ahead of time; we do not accept walk-ins. If the event is full, please select another date.

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

How do I register my group?

If you would like to bring a group, please submit a Group Volunteer Request form and someone from our team will get back to you within 72 hours

Do I need to register everyone in my group?

Yes, every person in your group must register prior to volunteering. Once you have submitted a Group Volunteer Request form, and someone from our team has reached out to you to confirm your date, you will receive a unique registration link for your team members to register.

My printer is not working, can I sign the liability forms when I arrive?

Yes, if you’re having trouble printing the liability forms, you can fill them out on-site, provided you are 18 or over.

Do you verify service hours for school or work?

Yes, if your school or place of work provides a verification form, bring that with you. The Food Bank also has service forms available at the end of every volunteer event.

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

We do not accept court-referred volunteers at this time.

What should I wear to my volunteer project?

All volunteers must wear closed toed shoes. No heels, open-toed shoes, or sandals are allowed inside the warehouse. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes, as well as a warm layer, like as sweater or jacket.

Where do I park?

We have limited on-site parking available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Carpooling is highly recommended. Parking is stack parked and there is no early exit. If you need to leave early, please find parking on the street.

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 designated break areas. Break rooms are shared spaces and cannot be reserved for private parties. If your group would like to have lunch at our facility, please contact our volunteer department ahead of time to confirm that we can accommodate your request.

Do I need to train before becoming a volunteer?

No prior training is needed. All the training is done on the day of your volunteer project.

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?

If you’re volunteering individually, we recommend registering at least a month in advance to ensure you get your preferred date and time. For groups, we recommend three to four months in advance.

Is the volunteer activity indoors or outdoors?

Our volunteer projects take place inside a warehouse, unless otherwise stated.

Are there volunteer opportunities on Sundays?

The Food Bank is closed on Sundays.

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

You may contact our Volunteer Director, Ana Martinez, to learn more about becoming a Food Bank volunteer, and to have questions answered that are not addressed on this FAQ page.

• (323) 234-3030, extension 144
• amartinez@lafoodbank.org.