Make a Difference: Volunteer with the Buffalo Food Shelf

Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give! When you volunteer at the Buffalo Food Shelf, you directly help us work towards our goal of feeding every family in need within our community. One of our biggest needs is having enough volunteers during our distribution hours. Whether you’re a student or part of an organization looking for service hours, or a concerned community member wanting to lend a hand, we have opportunities for you. Volunteers are most needed during our distribution times: Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM) and Friday mornings (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM), as well as the first Monday morning of each month (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM). We ask volunteers to arrive 30 minutes before distribution starts. If you’re interested in the roles below, please fill out the application to get started! You can also check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

To Proceed, Fill Out the Form Below!

Application Form

Front Desk Volunteer

As a Front Desk Volunteer, you will be responsible for collecting necessary information from clients upon their arrival and completing the required documentation.
Please Note: Additional training is required for this position due to the handling of client information. Please do not sign up for the Front Desk role unless you have already received this specific training.

Shopper Volunteer

In this role, you will work directly with our clients, assisting them as they shop for the food items they need during their visit to the food shelf.

Children and Volunteering

We know that many families with young children—as well as youth groups, sports teams, clubs, and more—are eager to get involved. While we would love to have everyone on site, due to liability and workflow considerations, all regular volunteers must be 15 years of age or older.
That said, there are still plenty of fun and meaningful ways for younger kids to contribute, gain hands-on experience, and take a tour of the Food Shelf:
Organize a food and/or fund drive at your workplace, school, congregation, or community group. Once you’ve collected your donations, schedule a time outside of regular hours to drop them off. Your group can help sort items, stock the shelves, and enjoy a tour of the Food Shelf.
Host a “Birthday Bag Making Party.” Invite friends and family over to assemble birthday bags! Each bag should include a festive gift bag, cake mix, frosting, candles, plates, napkins, and a small toy. Then, schedule a time to drop off your donation and take a group tour.
Have questions or want to schedule a drop-off? Please contact us!

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, volunteers need to be at least 15 years old to volunteer on their own. However, youth aged 13 and 14 are welcome to volunteer alongside a parent or guardian.

Please email volunteer@buffalofoodshelf.com or call 612-282-4165. Providing notice as far in advance as possible is greatly appreciated, as it helps us coordinate volunteer schedules effectively.

We’re sorry to hear you’re having difficulty signing up online! Please send an email to volunteer@buffalofoodshelf.com describing the issue you are encountering. Our team will assist you with completing the sign-up process so you can start volunteering.

Yes, we do accept court-mandated community service volunteers under specific conditions. Service must be scheduled at least 7 days in advance, as we cannot accommodate walk-ins. Please be aware that we do not accept individuals with charges involving acts of violence. We may also request additional information, including the specific offense and case number. Once your hours are completed, please allow 72 hours for the necessary verification and completion letters. Reach out to us at volunteer@buffalofoodshelf.com to further discuss your service request.

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