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 required to attend orientation.

Location:

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

Times:

Monday : 8:30am – 11:30am

Tuesday : 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.m. / 1:30p.m. – 3:30p.m.

Wednesday : 8:30am – 11:30am

Thursday : 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.

Friday : 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.

Saturday : 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.

*Note that some days and times have recently changed.

Closed Shifts / Orientations:

Closed for orientation and shifts on May 26th all day.

No orientation on June 13th.

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.)

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.
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
  • 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 16-18 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. Volunteers 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and work alongside the minor.

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

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.