Volunteer at a Mobile Pantry

One of our biggest volunteer needs is support at Mobile Pantry distributions. We need help at all Mobile Pantry locations, but especially in our more rural areas. Check out our Mobile Pantry volunteer calendar (updated monthly) and register for a shift today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Before signing up to volunteer, read the important information and instructions provided in our FAQ's.

Volunteer in our Community Kitchen

The Central Texas Food Bank facility includes a 4,200-square foot commercial production kitchen that supports on-site meal preparation for multiple programs. Currently, we are preparing meals for our Value Added Meal program which helps reduce food waste, and increases the distribution of nutritious cooked meals through our Partner Agencies. In 2017 we will begin on-site meal preparation for our Children’s Meal programs which will allow us to save money while serving healthier meal options (hot and cold) to children in Kid’s Cafe, our after-school meal program, and also during our summer meal program.

Volunteer Shifts

Kitchen volunteer shifts are offered in the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. Please review available shift opportunities to register yourself as an individual.

If you would like to register a group, please use our Groups form. For court-appointed volunteer opportunities, please use our Court-Appointed form.

We appreciate your interest in volunteering. However, if you have been sick, especially with symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea, please visit a Health Professional before signing up to work in or around food. Food safety is our number one concern.

What to Wear and What to Expect

For safety reasons, sleeveless shirts and open-toed shoes are not permitted. Shoes should be non-slip shoes if possible. Please leave jewelry at home. The only jewelry permitted by the Health Dept. is a plain wedding band. Please bring a hair band. Dress comfortably as you’ll be on your feet, moving around a lot.

This video was filmed before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a food handling organization, we have always been keenly focused on health and safety. In response to COVID-19, we have implemented these safeguards to make this experience as safe as possible. Please read and follow them for the good of everyone.

Volunteers must now meet certain eligibility requirements to be able to sign up and participate in shifts.

  • We require that non-household members must maintain social distancing (a minimum of 6 feet) at all times in the Central Texas Food Bank building and at Mobile Food Pantry sites. Shift sizes have been reduced and tasks planned so that social distancing can be implemented.
  • Volunteers, staff, and clients are required to wear a cloth face covering over the nose and mouth when in the Central Texas Food Bank building or at a Mobile Food Pantry site (in accordance with CDC guidelines, please no gaiters, bandanas, or masks with valves that don’t have a filter).
  • We have implemented touchless volunteer check in and social distancing.
  • We are cleaning high touch areas in the building multiple times a day.
  • All volunteers in the building must wash their hands before beginning their shift. We are providing hand sanitizer and gloves.
  • While we greatly appreciate your interest in volunteering, the safety of our volunteers, staff and clients is very important to us. We encourage you to consider your own health and safety when deciding whether volunteering is a good fit for you at this time.

 

Have Questions? We've Got Answers.

From information on age requirements, to how early you should arrive before your shift and even why we ask for personal information when you register, we've provided answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.