The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana relies on volunteers to help us address hunger in our community on a daily basis. Each year, more than 4,000 individuals, families, and groups, share their time and talents to assist with our hunger relief efforts throughout Lake and Porter Counties.  Each volunteer experience is unique and fulfilling for our volunteers, and makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the families we serve. The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana offers a number of dynamic and flexible volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups. We welcome ages as young as 8 years and older.  For every 3 children ages 8-13, at least 1 adult must be present.  Scroll below to view a list of our current volunteer opportunities.

Please review our:

VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION WAIVER & RELEASE HERE.

By Signing Up to Volunteer, you CONFIRM that you have read and AGREE to the waiver.

 

*Please note – if you are feeling ill on the day your are scheduled to volunteer, please cancel using the link within the email sent to you after you signed up.

 

Corporate & Community Team Volunteering, Click Here

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For Court Order Service Requests, Click Here

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CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

 

Mobile Market Food Distributions (sign up below)
Assisting with the setup and distribution of food during our weekly Mobile Market distributions.  Mobile Markets take place outdoors, Monday through Saturday, in Lake & Porter Counties.

 

Senior Grocery Delivery Drivers (Sign Up Below)
Delivering groceries to seniors who are disabled, high risk, or immuno-compromised. Deliveries take place after you pick the items up at the start of the shift as listed, with recommended route provided. Pick up of the items to deliver occurs at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana (6490 Broadway, Merrillville).

 

Warehouse – Packing & Sorting (sign up Below)
Assist with packing food boxes and sorting grocery items for our food assistance programs.  Additionally, volunteers will on occasion assist with general warehouse cleaning and organizing needs during these shifts.  Packing & Sorting work includes:

• • • Backpacks for Kids – Assisting with the assembling of meal bags for children relying on weekend support on the weekends and during school breaks. The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana provides approximately 300 backpacks weekly.
    • Senior Food Boxes – Assisting with the assembling of approximately 50 pounds of shelf stable food for seniors on a fixed income.  The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana provides approximately 1500 senior boxes each month.
    • Sorting Food Drive Items– Assisting with the sorting, inspecting, and packing of food drive items received from the community.  These are assembled and distributed to partner agencies to assist with their hunger relief efforts.

 

Facility Improvement & Maintenance Projects
Assist in our efforts to maintain a clean and safe environment to store food product for distribution to the community. This includes major cleaning & organizing projects, and improvement projects of our warehouse, facility, and grounds. Projects may include: deep cleaning storage areas, painting newly placed drywall, painting traffic lines on the warehouse floor, landscape beautification, organizing event supplies, etc. Ages 16 and older are welcome.  If you are interested in arranging custom date with a large group please email volunteers@foodbanknwi.org and indicate your availability, interest and number of volunteers you can bring.  We will go from there to arrange an appropriate project!  Current established shifts to join are listed at the linked sign up below.

 

Special Events Support (sign up below)
Assisting with pre-event set-up, day of event execution, tear-down, and post-event day tidying to help the Food Bank maximize every dollar raised at fundraising events.  For upcoming event volunteer needs click on the associated event image below:

 

Events Leadership Committee
Assisting with the planning, soliciting, and execution of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s 10+ annual fundraising events. Tasks include using the individual’s network to magnify fundraising, soliciting sponsors, in-kind donations (food/drinks/auction items), other resources, and participants. Members also assist in the brainstorming and planning of event ideas, logistics, budget, as well as helping on the day-of to assist with execution and volunteer training/leadership.

 

Administrative Assistance
Assisting with office and event tasks, including filing, organizing, correspondence, and more.  Short-term and long-term opportunities are available.  Please email volunteers@foodbanknwi.org and indicate your general availability and the type of skills you have in administrative work.