Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Good Shepherd Food Bank
As a part of our Volunteer Team, you play an incredibly important role in the process of getting essential food supplies to hungry children and adults. Whether the first time or a return visit, you can expect your volunteer experience to be socially inspiring and rewarding.
Drop In Volunteers - Auburn
We have an ongoing need for volunteers at our Auburn warehouse to sort food and for other warehouse tasks.
Available hours are:
- Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Friday: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Saturday: By Appointment Only - please call Elise Corbally to schedule a weekend group - (207) 782-3554 ext. 1119
For service opportunities in the Bangor area, please contact our Brewer warehouse manager at (207) 989-4672
Please note: There are currently no service opportunities at our Portland warehouse. If you would like to be updated once opportunities do become available, please email the Volunteer Coordinator: ecorbally@gsfb.org
Volunteer Requirements
Age Restrictions:
- Volunteers ages 16-18 are welcome to work in our warehouse with a release and waiver of liability signed by a parent or legal guardian.
- Volunteers ages 14 and 15 are also welcome with a release and waiver of liability signed by a parent or legal guardian, and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Individuals under the age of 14 are prohibited from working in our warehouse, but may join us for special volunteer events under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Age appropriate volunteer events will be specifically identified as accepting volunteers under the age of 14.
Dress appropriately for warehouse work. (see dress code below)
Community Service Volunteers
The hours you volunteer at Good Shepherd Food-Bank can be applied to your community service requirements. Hours worked will be tracked and recorded using our time-card system.
Requirements
- Must obtain prior approval - you can call or contact us via email.
- Must be 18 years of age or over. Volunteers 16 to 17 years of age are permitted when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Dress appropriately for warehouse work. (see dress code below)
Dress Code
We work around food and heavy equipment. For health and safety reasons we require all warehouse volunteers to wear closed-toe shoes. We invite you to dress comfortably and respectfully.
The following are not allowed: shorts higher than 6 inches above the knee, sleeveless shirts, muscle shirts, shirts that are cropped or expose the belly. No clothing with inappropriate sayings or logos. Please keep in mind when volunteering in the warehouse that your clothes may get dirty.
Additional Volunteering Information
Who volunteers at a Food-Bank?
Good Shepherd Food-Bank volunteers come from all walks of life and share one thing in common; the willingness to give of themselves to help their neighbors in need. Our volunteers are working professionals, retirees, stay-at-home parents, school aged children, college students, scouts, and even members of the U.S. military. These dedicated people help with product recovery, work in the warehouse, provide administrative support, and assist with maintenance projects and special events. GSFB depends upon volunteers who help us to distribute millions of pounds of food throughout the State of Maine each year.
Our volunteer workforce is effectively managed with job assignments that are appropriate for the individuals or groups involved. Corporate volunteers often design unique team-building projects while school groups learn about hunger issues in their community while volunteering.
Product Recovery
You can be a part of the recovery process of millions of pounds of food each year. Volunteers in this area inspect and evaluate donated products to determine what is safe for distribution and what needs to be discarded. Recovered items are then sorted and boxed, and ultimately distributed to partner agencies and their clients. We also donate thousands of pounds of food to local farmers, thereby saving landfills from more waste while helping our neighboring farmers in the process.
Warehouse Support
The GSFB warehouse is the heart of the Food-Bank. During regular weekday business hours you can help our warehouse team prepare orders for agencies, receive incoming donations, and lots of other activities.
Special Events
Help GSFB at concerts, festivals, volunteer fairs and many other events. Sponsored activities and food/fund drives are vital to the growth and sustainability of GSFB - and so are you!
Food Rescue
Food Bank staff and volunteers regularly retrieve donations, such as perishable foods, from area grocery stores and businesses.
Do You Have Special Skills?
If you have special interests like photography, mural painting, carpentry, computers or other skills, let us know! Sometimes we even have special projects that can be done in the comfort of your own home. We can always find a fun and meaningful way for you to contribute to the Food Bank.
Groups are Encouraged to Schedule a Work Day at the Food Bank
- Companies and Organizations
- Schools
- Churches
- Youth Groups
- Call to arrange a date!
Contact us to discuss your part in this important work.
Phone: 207 782-3554
Or Email: Volunteer