Last year, over 14,000 people made a difference in the lives of others volunteering their time and talent with the Capital Area Food Bank. Our volunteers save the food bank over $1.7 million* every year in staffing costs, which we are then able to channel back into feeding the community. See what we’ve been up to in our Summer 2011 Newsletter.
There is a place for everyone at the food bank, including: individuals, families, corporate groups, religious groups, school groups (children must be 12 or older), civic groups, and others. Please choose an option below to get started.
Information for Court-ordered Volunteers.
If you have any questions, please contact us at volunteer@capitalareafoodbank.org.
Ambassador Volunteers
Ambassador Volunteers are individual, long-term volunteers that provide their skills and expertise to the CAFB and its programs. Based on your interests and skills, we will match you with a department within the food bank to work on specific projects.
Click here to view our current Ambassador Volunteer positions and fill out an application.
DC Warehouse
We offer one-time volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups in our DC Warehouse. This project typically involves packing and/or sorting donated food. It can also involve packing for CAFB programs, working on our shopping floor, and assisting with various other tasks at the food bank. On Friday afternoons, it includes packing for our Kids Cafe program. All volunteers must be age 12 years or older. Any volunteer between the ages of 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult.
DC Warehouse Volunteer Hours:
Tuesday through Saturdays: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm
First Sunday of the Month: 9:00am – 12:00pm or 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Fourth Wednesday of the Month: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Click here to sign up on our new online Volunteer Calendar and search for DC Warehouse Packing/Sorting opportunities.
NOVA Warehouse
Our Northern Virginia warehouse also offers opportunities for both individuals and groups. Join the NOVA warehouse to help stock shelves, pack for programs, or volunteer with NOVA Kids Cafe.
NOVA Warehouse Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Every 2nd Saturday: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Every 4th Tuesday: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Tuesdays: 1:00pm – 3:30pm (NOVA Kids Cafe)
Click here to sign up on our new online Volunteer Calendar and search for NOVA Warehouse opportunities.
Clagett Farm
The CAFB works with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Clagett Farm to bring sustainably grown fresh produce to underserved communities. Clagett Farm offers volunteer opportunities predominately during the spring, summer and fall months. Opportunities include: weeding, mulching, harvesting, and many other farm tasks in various weather conditions. Learn more by downloading the Volunteer Information Packet.
Clagett Farm Volunteer Hours (occurs seasonally):
Tuesday through Saturdays: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Mobile Food Pantry
Every month, the Capital Area Food Bank hosts three direct distributions out in the community. Volunteers will assis in the distribution of fresh produce and non-perishable food to clients.
Click here to sign up on our new online Volunteer Calendar and search for Mobile Food Pantry opportunities.
NOVA Kids Cafe®
Join the NOVA Kids Cafe® team to help them pack in the warehouse every Tuesday! This activity involves packing non-perishable food for the upcoming week’s menus of NOVA Kids Cafe® sites. This activity is light/medium labor, involves standing for up to two and a half hour, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
Click here to sign up on our new online Volunteer Calendar and search for NOVA Kids Cafe® opportunities.
Special Events
The CAFB is always in need of volunteers who are willing to represent the food bank and our mission at special events. These events range from galas to tabling at community fairs. For our large special events, we will list opportunities on the online Volunteer Calendar. If you wish to sign up to receive emails on upcoming Special Events opportunities, email volunteer@capitalareafoodbank.org.
“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve…you don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
*The value of a volunteer hour was taken from the MD, VA, and DC averages on the 2009 Independent Sector figures.