Volunteering >> Individuals | Groups

Individual Volunteers

General Individual Volunteer Information

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Food Gatherers!

With volunteers such as you, we are able to provide enough food for more than 5,000 meals a day.

We are the link between surplus food sources and non profit agencies who are serving those in need.

The volunteer opportunities at Food Gatherers are very hands-on. We are a working warehouse, moving 4-6 tons of food each day. We provide a fun, fast-paced environment, fighting hunger in our community by moving good food to all the amazing agencies that help your neighbors.

We can accommodate individual volunteers, families, or larger groups up to 20 people at our warehouse. Please note that volunteer opportunities fill up fast, especially on weekends. We suggest contacting us 4-6 weeks in advance to schedule, though sometimes we are able to schedule closer to your desired date.

It is important that you contact the Volunteer Coordinator for availability before you volunteer - eric@foodgatherers.org or (734) 761-2796. This will ensure that you have all the right information in order to have an enriching volunteer experience. Please also note the “Volunteer Responsibilities” listed at the bottom of this page.

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Individual Volunteer Job Descriptions:

Food Runner
Ride along in our truck and help staff pick up and deliver food. This job is done from 8:30-11:30am or 12:30-3:30pm M-F. Food Runners are responsible for handling food safely, representing Food Gatherers to our food donors and recipients and communicating as much run-related information as possible to the staff. This is a great way to be involved in direct deliveries to the agencies we serve, and to see where the food comes from. It requires moderate lifting (up to 50 lbs) and the ability to climb in and out of the truck every few minutes. It is not the easiest job, but it is one of the favorites! Please note that food run volunteers need to be 18 or older.

Warehouse Volunteer
Work on-site (at Food Gatherers Headquarters on Carrot Way) sorting produce and canned goods, repackaging bulk foods, and keeping the warehouse clean and food-safe. Building volunteers can work once a week, once a month, or once in awhile, depending on your schedule and our needs. We don’t often know what type of foods we will be rescuing, so this job is different every time! Warehouse help requires light lifting, but the most important requirement of this job is that you not be afraid to get a bit dirty. Most shifts are M-F 9-11am or 1-3pm.

Kitchen Volunteer
Helping out at Food Gatherers Community Kitchen is a rewarding activity. The kitchen, located in the Robert J. Delonis Center in Downtown Ann Arbor, provides breakfast for shelter guests (7days/week), weekday Lunches and Dinners (for anyone in need) and weekend mid-day meals (for anyone in need). Food Gatherers' volunteers help with weekday lunches (M-F 11-2), weekday dinners (3-5 cook/set up 5-7:15 serve/clean up), and the weekend mid-day meal (Sat/Sun 12-2:30pm, 2:15-5pm or 12-5pm). Volunteers help prepare and serve meals, as well as set up and clean up. Due to the popularity of this activity, availability may be limited. For information on volunteering for the breakfast program only, please contact the Shelter Association - volunteers@ewashtenaw.org

Special Projects Volunteer - In addition to regular kitchen volunteering, volunteers assist the Food Gatherers Community Kitchen for special projects. Specual projects volunteers are scheduled throughout the day to help us with prep work, food conversion, and other work related to the meal program. Volunteers generally schedule a weekly shift of 2-3 hours at a time.

Office Volunteer
Office Volunteers are needed occasionally to help out with special projects. This is an occasional role, since most of our work involves food!

Special Events Volunteer Once in a while there are special events, concerts or canned food drives within the community. Volunteers are needed to be present, to help out and to represent Food Gatherers. Grillin’ - Once a year, on the second Sunday in June, Food Gatherers holds a large fundraiser called “Grillin’ for Food Gatherers”. Volunteers for this event are needed May through June, many volunteers are needed (up to 200!) and many different roles are available. Rockin’ for the Hungry – This is an annual event. Food Gatherers is able to connect with a radio station which does an “on-air” canned food drive. The Main Street Busch’s grocery store in Ann Arbor is the site sponsor. Volunteers are needed to accept and pack donations and to greet shoppers who are potential donors. This is a great project for a family or a small group. The dates vary each year, but are usually in the beginning of December from a Wednesday through a Sunday, 7 am – 7 pm, with volunteer shifts of 2-4 hours at a time. Take a Chance Tuesdays – this is a monthly free concert at the Ark. We occasionally need a volunteer or two to help us accept and box up the canned food donations, and to enjoy some great music while they’re at it! Food Drives - Check out our Food Drive information

Court-Ordered Community Service
Food Gatherers accepts Court – Ordered Community Service Volunteers on a limited basis, depending mostly on our availability. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, with permission from a parent/guardian. You must provide documentation of your requirement and contact information of your probation officer or case worker. There are other rules and regulations regarding this type of volunteer opportunity. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for information.

Curriculum Based/School Community Service
We do accommodate students of all ages for projects, but we need adequate advanced notice in order to work with you. We’d like to have as much information as we can from the instructor or project supervisor so we can understand the educational goals of the project.

Advocacy and Education
There are many issues that contribute to hunger in our country and in our community. We would be happy to provide information to you or your class about current issues for letter writing campaigns (see also advocacy). Articles in school papers or local publications are a great way to share your knowledge about hunger in our community.

Thank You Cards
This is a great kid and family-friendly project. We depend on our food donors, and want to show our gratitude, and the best way to show this is by providing a personalized “thank you” card to them. Please contact us for more details.

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Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Please dress comfortably for work in our warehouse and on the road. Don’t wear anything that you are afraid to get dirty.
• Wear sensible shoes, with closed-toes (no sandals) and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops)
• Please be on time for your scheduled shift or food run, as we really do rely on your help
• If you are unable to make it for your shift/food run, you must let us know ASAP. Same day cancellations are acceptable for emergency situations
• Follow Food, Warehouse and Road Safety guidelines at all times
• Act as a representative of Food Gatherers
• Learn about Food Gatherers and hunger by asking questions or requesting written information.
• Promptly alert the volunteer coordinator to any concerns you may have, or ways we can improve the volunteer program at Food Gatherers.

* Kitchen volunteers - follow the above rules, but please also bring a hat, scarf or bandana to cover your hair.

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