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Good Shepherd Food Bank / Get Involved / Volunteer / Volunteer Information Page

Volunteer Information

Location and Hours

Auburn Distribution Center:
3121 Hotel Road
Auburn, ME 04211
(207) 782-3554
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday


Hampden Distribution Center:
11 Penobscot Meadow Drive
Hampden, ME 04444
(207) 989 – 4672
8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Fridays

Parking is available in front of each distribution center. Please take caution when navigating around the lots as they are busy with trucks entering and leaving.

At the Auburn center, please proceed to the main entrance and use the intercom button to access the building. At the Hampden center, please follow the sign to the volunteer entrance on the side of the building and use the intercom button.

Times are subject to change due to availability; for exact times, please check schedules.

What projects can I expect to help with as a volunteer?

  • Distribution center volunteers assist with packing food boxes, repackaging produce, sorting and inspecting food donations, and other tasks as necessary.
  • Off-site volunteers may help with advocacy, fundraisers, and administrative tasks at our offices or remotely.
  • Cooking Matters Maine volunteers help educators demonstrate the basics of nutrition and cooking.

Distribution Center Volunteer FAQS

What are the age requirements?

All volunteers must be 14 years or older. We ask that volunteers 14-16 years old be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Volunteers under 18 years old must complete a waiver signed by a parent/guardian.

If I’m not able to volunteer at either of your distribution centers, how else can I volunteer?

The Food Bank distributes food to a network of nearly 600 partner agencies comprising of food pantries, meal sites, senior centers, schools, and health care centers, and they may need volunteers. Please use the Food Map to find an agency to offer your volunteer time. You may also be interested in volunteering
with the Cooking Matters Maine program.

What should I expect on my first day of volunteering at the Food Bank?

As a new volunteer, you will spend your first day at our facility being oriented and trained for your volunteer role. This will include time helping in one of our volunteer areas. You will be placed in a role depending on the needs of the distribution center.

What should I wear when I volunteer?

Closed-toe shoes are required when volunteering anywhere in the Food Bank. We recommend you wear comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting dirty and shoes you can stand in for an extended period. You may wish to dress in layers as our distribution center temperatures vary.

Should I bring anything with me to volunteer?

You may wish to bring a clear water bottle or snack/lunch as breaks are encouraged during volunteer shifts. All food and beverages besides water must be kept in our breakroom or your vehicle.

Is there a place for my personal belongings?

Volunteers can keep items in the breakrooms at each of our centers. Please leave any valuables at home or in your car.

Can I complete school community service hours at Good Shepherd Food Bank?

We accept student volunteers over the age of 14. All volunteers must apply online and sign in and out of the onsite volunteer database to record their service hours. The volunteer manager will sign off on or provide any paperwork that needs to be completed.

Do you accept court-referred volunteers?

Good Shepherd Food Bank welcomes individuals who receive a court order to perform community service, provided it was not a violent crime, sex offense, or involved a minor.

What should I do if I signed up to volunteer but am feeling sick?

Please, stay home. Take care of yourself, and if you recently volunteered with us, please get in touch with the volunteer department.

What if I need to cancel my volunteer appointment?

If you have signed up for a shift and need to cancel or reschedule, please sign in to the Volunteer Sign Up Page to make the changes to your schedule.

What to do in the case of inclement weather?

Please prioritize your safety and use good judgement. If you do not feel safe traveling to the Food Bank, please cancel your shift through your volunteer dashboard or by calling the Food Bank. In some cases, the Food Bank may close due to the weather. Closings will be announced on all major news stations and their websites. You may also check the Good Shepherd Food Bank social media accounts, Facebook, and Instagram @feedingmaine.

Can we take photos?

Absolutely! We encourage volunteers to take photos and share their experiences as volunteers with us. If you post pictures from your volunteer experience on social media, please tag us with the hashtags #helpfeedmaine and #feedingmaine.