Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are the heart of Ballard Food Bank

Every month more than 500 volunteers donate 3,700+ hours of service. They recover and sort food, stock shelves, and help clients shop.

New Volunteers

The first step to becoming a Ballard Food Bank volunteer is to attend an info session!

We are currently working through a backlog of volunteer applicants. Upcoming info sessions will be announced in mid-July.

Please note that our volunteers on-site need to be at least 14 years old. All 14- and 15-year-olds must come to the info session with a parent/guardian so we can make sure it’s a good fit for everyone. 16 years old and up can come on their own!

We recommend committing to a regularly scheduled shift. The best way to get to know the food bank and the different positions and tasks is to consistently spend several hours a week volunteering. Please be flexible and willing to do different tasks over the course of your shift to help us meet our most urgent needs!

  • Mondays, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

  • Wednesdays, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • It’s important for safety - and for the experience of volunteers and guests alike - that all new volunteers complete an orientation before their first volunteer shift.

  • The majority of our volunteer shifts are available during the following blocks of time:

    Mondays, 8AM-4PM, Tues/Thursday 8AM-7PM, Wednesdays 8AM-2PM.

  • We have limited shifts on Friday, Saturday & Sunday between 8AM and 1PM. Shifts may fill up quickly and there are fewer staff and other volunteers around, so this is a better option once you are already familiar with volunteering here.

Volunteer At Home or Offsite

Looking for a fun and helpful way to volunteer at home or in your workplace? Need a way to engage a group of children or co-workers to give back? Click here to learn more about how you can get involved right away!