A recent national study ranked our state last in the per capita number of hours Nevadans volunteer in their communities. At the Food Bank we are happy (and very relieved) to say that we are one of the exceptions to the rule. Volunteerism is alive and thriving. Our volunteer program has increased in size and scope every year and set records for hours and numbers of volunteers this year.

Whether you are a self-motivated individual volunteer, represent a community or employee group, or are looking for school or work related community service opportunities, there’s something for you to do at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. You’ll have fun and at the same time help those less fortunate in our community.

Volunteers Set Record for Donated Hours

The 2006 – 2007 year saw over 2,000 volunteers supporting the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. During the last fiscal year, volunteers provided 8,546 hours of service – more than four full-time positions. Using an estimated value of $12 per hour, our volunteers saved the Food Bank's operating budget $102,552 a year in labor expenses.

Our volunteers represent a broad range of people in our community and all age groups. Many individuals volunteer on their own, as well as with groups. In 2006-2007, Food Bank volunteer activities included more than 100 individual groups who donated their time including employee volunteers from the local business community, corporate partners, faith based organizations, youth groups, seniors, and even some of the Food Bank's partner agencies.

About Volunteering

Volunteers are a part of every program and activity at the Food Bank. The examples listed are representative of what our volunteers do. If you have a particular skill or interest, we can find a way to put it to good use.

CSFP – Commodity Supplemental Food Program – Packing, distribution and clerical assistance is needed.

Backpacks – Volunteers pack the items which are delivered to the schools for distribution.

Food Drive – Volunteers sort and pack the food obtained from our Holiday and Letter Carriers Food Drive. These boxes are distributed to our partner agencies in our 80,000 square mile service area. Annually these food drives yield over 425,000 pounds of food.

Donated Food and Other Items – Volunteers sort donated items from grocery stores, general merchandise retailers, and warehouse sources into categories and pack boxes for distribution to our partner agencies.

Office / Clerical – Typing, filing, answering phones, working on a mailing project, assisting in preparing outreach materials. You are needed!
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General support – The list of needs is as big as the skills our volunteers posses. Plumbing, graphic design, proofreading, delivering flyers, cooking, editing, machinery repair or whatever you shine at is what we need.

Food Show salvage, Events Assistance
Help us save food from Food Shows. Or be a part of Food for the Soul Concerts, Canstruction , Share Your Holiday Drive By Food Drive, Macy’s Community Shopping Day, National Hunger Awareness Day and other miscellaneous events

How to Volunteer: To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn about opportunities not currently listed on the website, email Bill Kolton,Volunteer/Special Events Coordinator, bkolton@fbnn.org or call (775) 331-3663 for more information, or click on the link below to fill out our online volunteer information form.

Volunteering at the Food Bank Warehouse
Bring friends, family members or an employee group. Children over the age of 10 are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No sandals or flip flops and long pants are suggested.

The warehouse calendar fills up far in advance, so group leaders should reserve a date soon.

To volunteer for a shift, check the dates and times below and then email Bill Kolton, Volunteer/Special Events Coordinator, bkolton@fbnn.org or call
775-331-3663 ) to reserve a space on one or more of these crews.

If the dates and times listed above do not fit your schedule, please contact us as we can be flexible to accommodate teams of volunteers. Groups of 15-20 volunteers are ideal.

Distribute Food Boxes to Low-income Seniors and Families

Do you have some free time during the day and like to work with and help seniors? We need your help once a month or more often for a couple of hours (generally in the morning) at one of our distribution sites. Volunteers are needed on the 3rd Thursday of the month at Washoe Senior Center (our largest distribution site, with over 300 clients). We also need help on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (various locations), 2nd Wednesday of the month at Silverada housing complex, and the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Sun Valley Family Resource Center. Volunteers need to be able to lift a 35 pound box or be willing to help Food Bank staff with client registration and check in.

Call Jenny Yeager, Program Specialist at the Food Bank (775) 331-3663.

Fill out your on-line volunteer application here!