Much of the donated food Northern Illinois Food Bank distributes needs to be inspected, sorted and packaged before it’s distributed to our hungry neighbors. We simply could not do this without the help of volunteers. Last year, volunteers donated more than 136,000 hours of their time, the equivalent of 65 full-time employees.
Whether you can volunteer once a week, once a month or once a year; individually or with a group of friends, family or colleagues, whatever your commitment, every hour of assistance helps us ensure our hungry neighbors will have access to food in their time of need.
Individuals, families, corporate and social groups are welcome! Children ages 8 and older may volunteer with families or in groups with adult chaperones. Chaperone ratios are 1:4 for ages 8-13 and 1:10 for ages 14-17. Groups of 20 or more volunteers must call the Food Bank to register at (630) 443-6910. Groups and families of less than 20 people may register online up to one week prior to a shift. Individuals may register up to 48 hours prior to a shift. View our online registration calendar with available shift days, times, and openings and sign up today!
If you do not see an available shift on the schedule for your group, please fill out this form to be put on our wait-list. We rely on our volunteers very much and look forward to working with you!
Volunteer Shifts – Food Sort & Pack
Weekdays:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at
9:00am – 11:30am & 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Weeknights:
Tuesdays at 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Thursdays at 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Weekends:
Saturdays at 9:00am – 12:00pm
Volunteer Shifts – Food Sort & Pack
Weekdays:
Wednesdays at 9:00am – 11:30am & 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Weeknights:
Wednesdays (1st & 3rd) at 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Weekends:
Saturdays at 9:00am – 12:00pm
Market Distribution:
Wednesdays at 3:30pm – 6:30pm (NEW SHIFT: effective October 1, 2019)
Thursdays at 8:00am – 12:00pm
Fridays at 10:30am – 1:30pm (NEW SHIFT: effective October 1, 2019)
Saturdays at 8:30am – 12:30pm
Stock the Shelves:
Tuesdays at 9:00am – 11:00am & 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Fridays at 8:30am – 10:30am (NEW TIME: effective October 1, 2019)
Volunteer Shifts – (note new shift times effective Sept 1, 2019)
Weekdays:
Tuesdays at 9:00am – 11:30am
Wednesdays at 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Thursdays at 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Weeknights:
Wednesdays at 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Weekends:
Saturdays at 9:00am – 11:30am
Volunteer Shifts – Food Sort & Pack
Weekdays:
Tuesdays at 9:00am – 11:30am
Thursdays at 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Weeknights:
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Weekends:
Saturdays at 9:00am – 11:30am
Click here to learn more about the South Suburban Center.
Click here to view maps to these locations.
Please use our agency locator to find a pantry or feeding site nearest you.
Sign up to receive the latest news and updates on programs to help feed our hungry neighbors and learn more about how you can get involved to help make sure no one goes hungry in Northern Illinois.
