Volunteer Jobs & Opportunities
Help during pantry service hours…
Volunteer assignments during pantry service hours are made during a launch meeting. The meeting is held just before the pantry opens to our neighbors in need. Our aim is to provide assignments that leverage your personal strengths, interests, and comfort level. Below are the jobs that may be available during service hours.
Let us know how you want to help…
Welcome and Registration
Welcome neighbors as they arrive and provide assistance in the registration process, including verification of eligibility. This role requires specific training to participate. Please contact the pantry if this role is of interest to you.
Welcome and Registration - Spanish Translator
Welcome neighbors as they arrive and provide assistance in the registration process, including verification of eligibility in Spanish. This role requires specific training to participate and fluency in both Spanish and English. Please contact the pantry if this role is of interest to you.
Pantry Welcome Guide
Manage the flow of neighbors into the shopping space by utilizing the ticketed number system and introducing neighbors to Shopping Guides.
Neighbor Shopping Guide
Support visiting neighbors’ selection of food and household items based on their needs and preferences.
Neighbor Shopping Guide - Spanish Translator
Support Spanish-speaking neighbors in selecting food and household items based on their needs and preferences.
Department Support
Provide support to visiting neighbors while managing one of our stations, such as meat, produce, and household items.
Stocking Support
Keep shelves neat, tidy, and fully stocked with unblemished pantry items. This role requires the ability to lift 25 pounds over the course of two hours.
Curbside Support
Load food items into neighbors’ vehicles or mode of transportation efficiently and courteously.
Other Volunteer Jobs
Incoming Donation Support
This role may include checking donated items for expiration dates, organizing accepted donations and/or placing new items onto the pantry floor.
Organization Support
Specific tasks vary, but many include organizing pantry supplies, cleaning pantry areas, or setting up new pantry items.
Food Rescue
Collect food and household items from local sources and transport to SFSL for distribution. Dates and times vary. Please contact us for more information.
Weekly Food Intake
Participate in the intake process of food deliveries from the Chicago Food Depository each week, ensuring proper handling, storage, and organization within the pantry to meet the needs of our neighbors. This occurs weekly on Fridays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am depending on when the delivery arrives and how much is received.
Project Team Members
Work in conjunction with board members on special projects including: operations, fundraising and community outreach.
Advanced Roles
Volunteer Leader
Welcome new volunteers and provide pantry overview. Volunteer leaders will provide guidance and training as needed to volunteers, and sign log-hours. Volunteer leaders may also distribute additional materials and information to volunteers. Volunteer leaders will be expected to arrive 30 minutes before the general shift time to evaluate pantry needs and welcome new volunteers. Volunteer leaders are chosen by pantry leadership.
Pantry Managers
Responsible for overseeing pantry service operations on their assigned day, ensuring smooth operations and efficient flow of neighbors through the pantry. This person arrives early to manage pantry setup, including fresh produce, restocking shelves and pantry cleanliness. The role also requires assigning volunteer tasks, addressing questions or troubleshooting issues. Pantry managers are required to be present a minimum of 30 minutes before distribution begins. Pantry managers are chosen by pantry leadership.
Resource Hub Guide
Utilizing the pantry’s Resource Hub directory, advise inquiring neighbors about services available to them through local, county, state, and federal channels. Community support guides are chosen by pantry leadership.