Community Service Hours

Volunteers are our local heroes who show up to give back to our neighbors.

Community Service Hours

Volunteers are our local heroes who show up to give back to our neighbors.

For those who must complete court-related community service, or required hours for government-funded programs.

Individuals who receive a court order to perform community service, or who must perform community service to qualify for WorkSource or Houston Housing, may complete their hours in a friendly, safe, climate controlled and structured environment at the Houston Food Bank.

Orientation & Registration

About Orientation:

Orientations for court ordered, SNAP, and Houston Housing Authority service hours are held every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. No sign-up is required to attend orientation.

Location:

Houston Food Bank East Branch
535 Portwall Street
Houston, TX 77029

Orientation Times:

Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Closed Shifts / Orientations:

  • July 30 – 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • August 11 – All shifts
  • September 1 – 1:00 p.m-4:00 p.m.
  • September 24 – All shifts

Required Pieces of Information:

For orientation, you will need 2 required pieces of information:

  1. Valid (Hard/Paper/Email copy) DL or ID. Passport or Probationer’s Cards are accepted also.
  2. Documentation (Paper/Email copy) stating your offense/charge. (SNAP Benefits/Houston Housing require a referral letter from the workforce or the Houston Housing Authority.) Paperwork has to be current, either from this month or the previous month.

Required documentation can be sent to bluebadges@houstonfoodbank.org during the week of your orientation session only. We currently do not archive submitted emails and will not be able to retrieve your documentation at a later time.

To sign up for the Blue Badge Volunteer program:

  • Visit our Houston Food Bank East Branch location (535 Portwall St. 77029) during one of the orientation times.
    • Bring all related paperwork and a valid ID.
  • Attend the orientation session.
    • Complete the Blue Badge Volunteer application form.
    • You will be given detailed information on volunteering, verifying hours, and monthly reporting at that session.
    • The entire registration process will take 45 minutes – 1 hour.

NOTE: Volunteers 16-17 years old that have required service hours must have a parent or guardian attend the orientation session with them and complete parent/guardian paperwork. Parents are also required to have a valid ID. All court-mandated minor volunteers 15 and under must have a parent or guardian present during orientation and while completing a volunteer shift.*

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to be at the Food Bank at 8:30 a.m.?

No, but the cut-off time for orientation applicants is 11:30 a.m. Please be prepared to stay anywhere from 30 – 45 minutes.

Do orientation hours count towards my community service hours?

No, the time you spend in orientation will not go towards your service hours.

How do I get more information on Orientation or Required Service Hours?

Email bluebadges@houstonfoodbank.org

Blue Badge Shifts

East Branch Volunteer Shifts

First Shift Second Shift Third Shift
Start/End Start (Late After)/End Start (Late After)/End
Monday 7:30am – 12:00pm 1:00pm/1:15pm – 4:00pm CLOSED
Tuesday 7:30am – 12:00pm 1:00pm/1:15pm – 4:00pm 6:00pm/6:15pm – 9:00pm
Wednesday 7:30am – 12:00pm 1:00pm/1:15pm – 4:00pm 6:00pm/6:15pm – 9:00pm
Thursday 7:30am – 12:00pm 1:00pm/1:15pm – 4:00pm 6:00pm/6:15pm – 9:00pm
Friday 7:30am – 12:00pm 1:00pm/1:15pm – 4:00pm 6:00pm/6:15pm – 9:00pm
Saturday 7:30am – 12:00pm 1:00pm/1:15pm – 4:00pm CLOSED
Sunday 8:00am – 12:00pm CLOSED CLOSED
*15 min grace *15 min grace

Protein Pack Room Volunteer Shifts

Please dress warmly.

Start/End
Monday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Tuesday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Thursday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Friday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED

North Branch Volunteer Shifts

First Shift Second Shift
Start/End Start/End
Monday CLOSED CLOSED
Tuesday CLOSED CLOSED
Wednesday CLOSED CLOSED
Thursday CLOSED CLOSED
Friday CLOSED CLOSED
Saturday 7:30am – 12:00pm 1:00/1:15pm – 4:00pm
Sunday CLOSED CLOSED

You must complete the full shift and clock out at the end of the shift to receive credit for the time worked for that shift.

Volunteer Dress Code

For Your Safety 

  • Wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes that fully cover your feet. (Crocs, slides, house slippers, or sandals are not permitted.)
  • Wear shirts with sleeves and shirts that appropriately cover midriffs — Tank tops, spaghetti strap shirts, cropped shirts and muscle shirts may not provide adequate protection while working in a warehouse environment.
  • Choose appropriate bottoms such as pants, sweatpants, knee-length shorts, or capris for your protection. Ripped and distressed jeans are not permitted. Skin left exposed can pose a risk to your safety.
  • Please avoid skirts or dresses for safety reasons. To request a religious exemption, please reach out to Volunteer Services staff.
  • Opt for well-fitting clothing, avoid spandex and/or tights and leggings — nothing too loose or dangling for safety near machinery.
  • Sunglasses should not be worn during volunteer shifts for your safety.
  • Refrain from explicit phrases or political messages on clothing — for your comfort and the comfort of your fellow volunteers and neighbors.
  • Jewelry is not permitted in some project areas — it can get caught on items or fall into food. Please leave all jewelry at home.