Opportunities From: Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

Volunteer: Volunteer Callers for the March for the Food Bank!

We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with our upcoming March for the Food Bank event by reaching out to local businesses. As a volunteer, you will play a crucial role in securing donations that will help make our event a success

Responsibilities:

Call a list of 20 pre-selected businesses to verify if they received our email request for donations.

Politely inquire if the business is interested in contributing to our event.

Provide additional information about the event and the benefits of donating, if needed.

Record the responses and any follow-up actions required.

Details:

This is a remote volunteer opportunity, so you can make calls from the comfort of your home.

A script and all necessary information will be provided to guide your conversations.

Flexible hours: You can choose a time that works best for you to make the calls.

We have scheduled this volunteer opportunity to take 2.5hours, we believe this to be the maximum time this should take, with most shifts taking an hour or less. 

 Your efforts will directly contribute to the success of the March for the Food Bank, helping us raise funds and awareness to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. 

Program: Special Events

We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with our upcoming March for the Food Bank event by reaching out to local businesses. As a volunteer, you will play a crucial role in securing donations that will help make our event a success

Responsibilities:

Call a list of 20 pre-selected businesses to verify if they received our email request for donations.

Politely inquire if the business is interested in contributing to our event.

Provide additional information about the event and the benefits of donating, if needed.

Record the responses and any follow-up actions required.

Details:

This is a remote volunteer opportunity, so you can make calls from the comfort of your home.

A script and all necessary information will be provided to guide your conversations.

Flexible hours: You can choose a time that works best for you to make the calls.

We have scheduled this volunteer opportunity to take 2.5hours, we believe this to be the maximum time this should take, with most shifts taking an hour or less. 

 Your efforts will directly contribute to the success of the March for the Food Bank, helping us raise funds and awareness to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. 

Program: Special Events

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Flexible

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Farm Volunteering: 1:00pm

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01035

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: AM Food Sorting (Oct 2025 - March 2026)

Our biggest volunteer need at the Food Bank is food sorting. We receive millions of pounds of food a year that need to be sorted and organized quickly to distribute out to our communities. 

Food sorting includes frozen meat, produce, and dry goods.

Volunteers must be able to lift up to 30 pounds. All volunteers must wear closed toed shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Foods and drinks (with the exception of water in a clear container with a lid) are not allowed in the warehouse. At the end of each shift, volunteers help with a brief cleanup of their stations

Please make sure you have viewed our Food Safety video and signed a waiver before volunteering to food sort. Please contact alisons@foodbankwma.org for any questions. 

Shift Cancellation Notifications:

If a volunteer shift has to be cancelled for any reason, we will notify you via email of the cancellation as soon as we receive the information. Please reply to the cancellation notification email so we can confirm you've seen it. In the event of same day cancellations, we will give you a call. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, especially when there are last-minute cancellations. We appreciate your support of the Food Bank and thank you for your understanding.

Reminder:

When people do not show up for shifts, it can lead to the product not being sorted fast enough and therefore not being safe to give to our community, meaning food may go to waste. If you cannot make a shift, please reach out as soon as possible so we can adjust how much product we bring out to be sorted and if possible, we will try to fill your spot. Each and every volunteer makes a difference! 

Program: Food Sorting

Our biggest volunteer need at the Food Bank is food sorting. We receive millions of pounds of food a year that need to be sorted and organized quickly to distribute out to our communities. 

Food sorting includes frozen meat, produce, and dry goods.

Volunteers must be able to lift up to 30 pounds. All volunteers must wear closed toed shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Foods and drinks (with the exception of water in a clear container with a lid) are not allowed in the warehouse. At the end of each shift, volunteers help with a brief cleanup of their stations

Please make sure you have viewed our Food Safety video and signed a waiver before volunteering to food sort. Please contact alisons@foodbankwma.org for any questions. 

Shift Cancellation Notifications:

If a volunteer shift has to be cancelled for any reason, we will notify you via email of the cancellation as soon as we receive the information. Please reply to the cancellation notification email so we can confirm you've seen it. In the event of same day cancellations, we will give you a call. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, especially when there are last-minute cancellations. We appreciate your support of the Food Bank and thank you for your understanding.

Reminder:

When people do not show up for shifts, it can lead to the product not being sorted fast enough and therefore not being safe to give to our community, meaning food may go to waste. If you cannot make a shift, please reach out as soon as possible so we can adjust how much product we bring out to be sorted and if possible, we will try to fill your spot. Each and every volunteer makes a difference! 

Program: Food Sorting

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01020

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: PM Food Sorting (Oct 2025 - March 2026)

Our biggest volunteer need at the Food Bank is food sorting. We receive millions of pounds of food a year that need to be sorted and organized quickly to distribute out to our communities. 

Food sorting includes frozen meat, produce, and dry goods.

Volunteers must be able to lift up to 30 pounds. All volunteers must wear closed toed shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Foods and drinks (with the exception of water in a clear container with a lid) are not allowed in the warehouse. At the end of each shift, volunteers help with a brief cleanup of their stations

Please make sure you have viewed our Food Safety video and signed a waiver before volunteering to food sort.
 Please contact alisons@foodbankwma.org for any questions. 

Shift Cancellation Notifications:

If a volunteer shift has to be cancelled for any reason, we will notify you via email of the cancellation as soon as we receive the information. Please reply to the cancellation notification email so we can confirm you've seen it. In the event of same day cancellations, we will give you a call. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, especially when there are last-minute cancellations. We appreciate your support of the Food Bank and thank you for your understanding.

Reminder:

When people do not show up for shifts, it can lead to the product not being sorted fast enough and therefore not being safe to give to our community, meaning food may go to waste. If you cannot make a shift, please reach out as soon as possible so we can adjust how much product we bring out to be sorted and if possible, we will try to fill your spot. Each and every volunteer makes a difference! 

Program: Food Sorting

Our biggest volunteer need at the Food Bank is food sorting. We receive millions of pounds of food a year that need to be sorted and organized quickly to distribute out to our communities. 

Food sorting includes frozen meat, produce, and dry goods.

Volunteers must be able to lift up to 30 pounds. All volunteers must wear closed toed shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Foods and drinks (with the exception of water in a clear container with a lid) are not allowed in the warehouse. At the end of each shift, volunteers help with a brief cleanup of their stations

Please make sure you have viewed our Food Safety video and signed a waiver before volunteering to food sort.
 Please contact alisons@foodbankwma.org for any questions. 

Shift Cancellation Notifications:

If a volunteer shift has to be cancelled for any reason, we will notify you via email of the cancellation as soon as we receive the information. Please reply to the cancellation notification email so we can confirm you've seen it. In the event of same day cancellations, we will give you a call. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, especially when there are last-minute cancellations. We appreciate your support of the Food Bank and thank you for your understanding.

Reminder:

When people do not show up for shifts, it can lead to the product not being sorted fast enough and therefore not being safe to give to our community, meaning food may go to waste. If you cannot make a shift, please reach out as soon as possible so we can adjust how much product we bring out to be sorted and if possible, we will try to fill your spot. Each and every volunteer makes a difference! 

Program: Food Sorting

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01020

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Brown Bag Support: R.A. Jordan Center, Springfield

Volunteers will help unload The Food Bank truck and help fill bags for the Brown Bag for Elders program. 

Please note this requires lifting. Volunteers will be outside so please wear weather appropriate clothing. 

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Volunteers will help unload The Food Bank truck and help fill bags for the Brown Bag for Elders program. 

Please note this requires lifting. Volunteers will be outside so please wear weather appropriate clothing. 

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01109

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Farm Volunteering: 1:00pm

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01035

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Farm Volunteering: 10:00am

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01035

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Brown Bag Support: Chicopee Moose Family Center

Volunteers will help set the tables up, unload the truck, pack grocery bags, and clean up cardboard boxes. The shift is at the Chicopee Moose Family Center. 

Dress for both indoor and outdoor work, as the grocery bags are packed indoors but there will be some time spent outside bringing in the cases of food and assisting members with bringing the packed bags to their car. There is heat inside the Moose center and space to place jackets or any extra layers.

Volunteers should be comfortable lifting up to 20 pounds.

If Volunteers have their own utility knife or box cutter, please label it with your name and bring it if you are comfortable doing so.

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Volunteers will help set the tables up, unload the truck, pack grocery bags, and clean up cardboard boxes. The shift is at the Chicopee Moose Family Center. 

Dress for both indoor and outdoor work, as the grocery bags are packed indoors but there will be some time spent outside bringing in the cases of food and assisting members with bringing the packed bags to their car. There is heat inside the Moose center and space to place jackets or any extra layers.

Volunteers should be comfortable lifting up to 20 pounds.

If Volunteers have their own utility knife or box cutter, please label it with your name and bring it if you are comfortable doing so.

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01020

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Farm Volunteering: 10:00am

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Come volunteer on Cultivating for Community!

Assist in building farm beds, weeding, planting, harvesting, building walkways, and other farm chores for our 2-acre community engagement farm. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug-spray, and wear closed toed shoes.

How to Get There:

We are located on 32 Shattuck Rd in Hadley (at the intersection between Shattuck Rd and Gooseberry Lane, type in Gooseberry Lane if you are using GPS). As you approach the farm, you’ll see a small purple food bank sign in front of the woods. You can drive down the farm road 1/2 mile and park outside the red barn (near the greenhouses). 

Program: Farm

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01035

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Brown Bag Support: Urban League at the Dunbar Center

Volunteers will help set up the tables, unload the truck, pack grocery bags, and clean up cardboard boxes. The shift is at the Dunbar Center.

Dress for both indoor and outdoor work. Volunteers should be comfortable lifting 20 pounds.

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Volunteers will help set up the tables, unload the truck, pack grocery bags, and clean up cardboard boxes. The shift is at the Dunbar Center.

Dress for both indoor and outdoor work. Volunteers should be comfortable lifting 20 pounds.

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01109

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Food Bank Ambassador 2025

If you enjoy interacting with the public and are passionate about food and social justice, we invite you to sign up as a Food Bank Ambassador and become the welcoming voice of our mission at community events across Western Massachusetts!

As a Food Bank Ambassador, you'll have the unique opportunity to connect with community members and engage in conversations that spark change. Whether it's chatting with attendees about our programs and events, hosting engaging activities for families like decorating Brown Bags, or simply being a friendly presence, your role in raising awareness will be important in educating the public on the mission of the Food Bank.

We're looking for volunteers who are ready to lend a few hours of their time on weekends about once a month (and rarely some weekdays in the evening) to represent the Food Bank by tabling at various events in Western Massachusetts, including favorites like the Asparagus Festival in Hadley, the Chicopee Spooktacular Halloween event, and area farmers markets.

By joining us as an ambassador, you'll help us expand our reach and impact across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. Once you register for this opportunity, we'll provide thorough training, materials, and support to ensure you feel confident and empowered as a Food Bank Ambassador. Thank you!

Program: Special Events

If you enjoy interacting with the public and are passionate about food and social justice, we invite you to sign up as a Food Bank Ambassador and become the welcoming voice of our mission at community events across Western Massachusetts!

As a Food Bank Ambassador, you'll have the unique opportunity to connect with community members and engage in conversations that spark change. Whether it's chatting with attendees about our programs and events, hosting engaging activities for families like decorating Brown Bags, or simply being a friendly presence, your role in raising awareness will be important in educating the public on the mission of the Food Bank.

We're looking for volunteers who are ready to lend a few hours of their time on weekends about once a month (and rarely some weekdays in the evening) to represent the Food Bank by tabling at various events in Western Massachusetts, including favorites like the Asparagus Festival in Hadley, the Chicopee Spooktacular Halloween event, and area farmers markets.

By joining us as an ambassador, you'll help us expand our reach and impact across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. Once you register for this opportunity, we'll provide thorough training, materials, and support to ensure you feel confident and empowered as a Food Bank Ambassador. Thank you!

Program: Special Events

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Flexible

Zip Code: 01020

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Brown Bag Support: Northampton Senior Center

Volunteers will help set the tables up, unload the truck, pack grocery bags, and clean up cardboard boxes. The shift is at the Northampton Senior Center.

Dress for both indoor and outdoor work. Volunteers should be comfortable lifting 20 pounds.

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Volunteers will help set the tables up, unload the truck, pack grocery bags, and clean up cardboard boxes. The shift is at the Northampton Senior Center.

Dress for both indoor and outdoor work. Volunteers should be comfortable lifting 20 pounds.

Program: Brown Bag: Food for Elders

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 01060

Allow Groups: Yes