Volunteer
We Need You!
Volunteer With Us
We’re thrilled you’re considering volunteering with us!
Our volunteer program looks a bit different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a variety of roles and shifts available, and have opened up some new roles and shift times.
We have introduced a Vaccination Policy requiring staff and volunteers to be fully immunized (effective November 1, 2021). Those who are not fully immunized will be unable to volunteer at the Calgary Food Bank until they become fully immunized or this policy is revised. If you have a medical exemption or an exemption on protected grounds please discuss with our Volunteer Resources team.
New volunteers: Please fill out our volunteer application to start the process. Once your application is complete, you will get a link to complete our health and safety training; once it’s complete, you will be able to email our Volunteer Resources team to set up your shifts.
Existing volunteers: Please email us to set up a new shift; we’re not using Better Impact for shift sign-up at this time.
Volunteer Opportunities
Available shift times* for all the volunteer opportunities are:
8 – 10:30 am, 11 am – 1:30 pm, 2 – 4:30 pm, 5 – 7:30 pm
*Distribution shifts start 15 minutes early
Warehouse
Working with other amazing volunteers you will be sorting non-perishables, sorting/bagging perishables or building emergency hampers. **Please note: the exact duty will be assigned when you arrive for your shift but we will do our best to accommodate preference.
Crate Washer
If you like to be busy, work independently or in a small team of two and have a “get the job done” attitude, crate washing is the role for you. This is an important sanitation role that works with an industrial dishwasher, ensuring the safety of all of our staff, volunteers and clients.
Call Centre
If patience, compassion and a strong desire to help describe you, the call centre needs your help. You are the critical first-point-of contact, answering client calls and scheduling hamper pickup. Training is provided, you need to be 18 years or older to volunteer for this position. **Please note: call centre shifts are 30 minutes longer than other shifts.
Baby Room
Many of our clients have little ones who need diapers, baby food, pablum or wipes. In this role you will be building these special hampers that are given with the emergency food hamper.
Distribution
Saturday distribution starts November 27 until May 28, there are two shifts: 9 – 11:30 am and 12:30 – 3 pm.
ID Scanner
Are you friendly, outgoing and welcoming? This is the role for you! You are the first point of contact for our clients when they come to pick up their hamper. Working on a team of two, you will meet clients outside at their vehicles to verify their ID before they pick up their hamper. We provide appropriate PPE as is required in this role. **Please note: you need to be 18 years or older to volunteer for this position.
Hamper Delivery Driver
Support eligible client households facing barriers to hamper collection by delivering food hampers directly to their homes. Following a simple online booking process, delivery volunteers can self-schedule to pick-up and deliver hampers at their convenience. If you are interested in becoming a hamper delivery volunteer, please contact Bronwyn Roth for more information.
Health and Safety
Please help us maintain a healthy and safe environment by taking the following precautionary measures while volunteering:
- Adhere to the recommended social distancing of 6 feet between people.
- Enter and exit the building through the Administration doors.
- All staff and volunteers are required to wear a mask.
- Please do not log in for your shift on the computer in the volunteer break room. Hours will be tracked by Volunteer Resources staff – no need to log in or out.
- Please arrive as close to your shift start time as possible and leave the building promptly after your shift in order to minimize the number of people in the building at once.
- The volunteer parking lot and shuttle van are operating again for day shift volunteers! We encourage volunteers to use this service as we have reduced parking at the main warehouse due to construction and street parking is at a premium with some of our neighbors returning to work in the office. The shuttle is cleaned regularly, masks and hand sanitizing are required. Please complete the contract tracing sheet when you get on the shuttle. The shuttle van will pick you up at the volunteer parking lot and drop you at the main warehouse and bring you back after your shift. If the shuttle is not in the lot when you arrive don’t worry, the driver is completing a round and will be with you soon. The shuttle van only runs during the start and end time of volunteer shifts.
- All evening volunteers (4:45 – 7:30 pm shifts) are able to park at the Annex building at 5020 12A Street SE or on 12A Street. There is no shuttle service for this shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complete my court-ordered volunteer hours at the Food Bank?
There are specific times available for court-ordered volunteer shifts. Individuals must be fully vaccinated, please call Volunteer Resources at 403-253-2059 Ext 2 to book your appointment.
Appointment times are:
Tuesday 11:30 am –2:30 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
How do I become a volunteer?
Please fill out our volunteer form on Better Impact to start the application process. Once your application is complete, you will get a link to our health and safety training and then be able to sign up for shifts by emailing our Volunteer Resource team.
What is the time commitment?
Volunteers are able to sign up for regular weekly shifts or for occasional shifts when their schedule permits.
E: volunteer@calgaryfoodbank.com
P: 403-253-2059, Ext. 2
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
To volunteer in our warehouse youth must be at least 12 years old. Youth 12 – 15 years old are required to volunteer with an adult, youth 16 years old and up can volunteer on their own. For special event volunteering, youth as young as 8 years old can join an adult.
How can I book a group?
We are welcoming groups back! If you want to register a volunteer group, please send us an email!
Can I just drop in to volunteer if I have free time?
We love the enthusiasm of all our volunteers, but all shifts must be booked in advance. Please contact us to set up a shift.
E: volunteer@calgaryfoodbank.com
P: 403-253-2059, Ext. 2
I'm a volunteer, where do I go to book a shift?
We are not using Better Impact for shift signup at this time. Please contact us to set up a shift.
E: volunteer@calgaryfoodbank.com
P: 403-253-2059, Ext. 2
Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.
Volunteer Hours
Volunteer Groups a year
Calls in a year
different volunteer roles
Video courtesy of Calgary ShawTV
Terry Deets is one of our most dedicated and longest-standing volunteers. He volunteers with us four days per week, every week, and has been with us for three decades. Not surprisingly, he has become a fixture at the Calgary Food Bank.
“The staff and the volunteers at the Calgary Food Bank are like family to me.”
Terry Deets, Calgary Food Bank Volunteer