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1. What are your volunteer hours?

The Houston Food Bank offers the following volunteer shifts:

Portwall Warehouse:

Monday and Wednesday 8:00am to noon, 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00am to noon, 1:00pm to 5:00pm and 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Keegan Kitchen:

Monday through Saturday 8:00am to noon and 1:00pm to 5:00pm

2. What are your age requirements?

For safety purposes the minimum age for volunteering is 8 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult when volunteering.

3. When bringing groups of youth, do you have requirements for chaperones?

Yes, the group will provide adult supervision Due to safety concerns, children 8-15 may volunteer only with adult supervision. For youth groups (12-15 years old), one adult is required for every ten youths. Please be sure accompanying adults understand they will be helping to supervise the group.

4. If I need to cancel or the number of volunteers changes do I need to call the Houston Food Bank?

Yes, it is important that you let the Volunteer Coordinator know if you cannot attend, if you increase the number of volunteers or if your number of volunteers is less than your original estimate. The Houston Food Bank uses a volunteer work force daily and schedules according to its needs. If you cannot make the session please call in enough time so the Volunteer Coordinator can schedule other volunteers. In addition if your number of volunteers increases or decreases it is can affect the volunteer session.

5. Do I need to make an appointment to volunteer or can I walk-in?

All volunteering is by appointment only and must be done on the Houston Food Bank’s website. When a group leader makes their appointment he/she will receive a volunteer “boarding pass. This “boarding pass” must be printed out and brought to the volunteer shift.

6. What should my group wear?

Volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and clothes appropriate to work in a warehouse or kitchen. No sandals/flip-flops, short skirts/shorts above the knee or low-cut shirts. Individuals wearing opened toed shoes will not be allowed in warehouse areas.

7. What will I be doing?

The Houston Food Bank is a packaging and distribution setting. Volunteers will be placed in areas based on the age of volunteers and current needs of the food bank. Physical or mental limitations should be discussed prior to scheduling a volunteer session. On the day of their scheduled volunteer shift, all volunteers will be orientated prior to beginning their volunteer project.

8. Where do I park?

Any available parking spots in the front of the Foodbank. Over 300 parking spots are available. Carpooling is always encouraged.

9. What if there are court-ordered volunteers in my group?

Court Appointed volunteers cannot use their group hours while volunteering with a group.

Click here for court appointed volunteers FAQs

10. When I get there where do I report?

All volunteers are asked to report to the Welcome Desk in the lobby. A Welcome sign is visible when you walk into the lobby. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled volunteer shift

11. Does my group need to sign in?

Yes, be sure each group volunteer brings their volunteer “boarding pass”. The boarding pass is emailed to each volunteer group member when they register to volunteer. Upon arrival, each volunteer “boarding pass will be scanned, officially signing them in

12. Does the Houston Food Bank keep track of volunteer hours?

Yes, the Houston Food Bank keeps accurate records of all volunteer hours. Volunteers must sign in and out when they volunteer- this ensures we have accurate data