Volunteers are a vital part of Freestore Foodbank’s strategic plan to provide meals to hungry children and families in our tristate area. Every time you volunteer, you will leave knowing that you have helped to provide Food, Connection and Hope for our neighbors in need.

Distribution Center

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Distribution Center Volunteer Opportunities: Interested in a team-building opportunity for your staff or group? Groups and individuals can volunteer to assemble Power Packs, Senior Food Boxes, or Emergency Food Boxes. Thank you in advance for your time, energy, and willingness to volunteer!

Bea Taylor Market

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Bea Taylor Market Volunteer Opportunities: Tuesday-Thursday 11-7, Friday 11-5, Saturday 10-3 shifts are available during these times that the market is open. There are afternoon, evening and weekend shifts available for high school and college students to earn service hours.

Liberty Street Market

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Liberty Street Market Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer shifts Monday through Friday, morning from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and afternoon from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteer shifts limited to 5 volunteers per shift.

Large Distributions

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Large Distribution Volunteer Opportunities: We occasionally need volunteers at our Large Distributions. This volunteer task involves helping to place food in the trunks of cars as customers drive through the distribution line.

In Fiscal Year 2024, over 23,000 volunteers with a total of 80,975 hours of service to Freestore Foodbank. We need volunteers every day to pack Power Packs and Senior Boxes for the youngest and oldest in our community, our Freestore Direct Program which helps get food to those that do not have transportation, sort food donations to be sent to our community partners, provide customer service at our Liberty Street Market (pantry) and our Bea Taylor Market (pantry), assist with special events throughout the year and provide talents and skills for dozens of other activities that help people when they are in crisis.

Only through joining our efforts with member of our community can we make a difference and work to solve hunger!

What types of volunteer opportunities do we offer?

Freestore Foodbank welcomes both individuals and groups to work on a variety of tasks that help eliminate hunger in our area. All of our volunteer activities are one of three types:

BASIC

Basic:  Basic volunteer assignments are usually one-time shifts that require little or no advanced preparation or training, but do require advanced registration.  Most groups and individuals are in this category.  Activities include:

  • Sorting and packaging nonperishable food that is later distributed to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters our Community Resource & Distribution Center
  • Stocking shelves, sorting food and providing customer service to people as they shop at the Liberty Street Market in the Customer Connection Center.
  • Assisting at Special Events throughout the year including Holiday Operations, Rubber Duck Regatta and Hunger Walk.
REGULAR

Regular:  Regular volunteer assignments are usually ongoing assignments which can be daily, weekly, or monthly. These assignments usually require specialized skills and/or training and require advanced registration, an interview and a background check if working with sensitive material or direct customer assistance.  Possible activities include:

  • Clerical and administrative assistants
  • Receptionist and communication desk assignments
  • Back On Track (clothing store) assistants
  • Healthy Harvest Mobile Market assistants
  • Cincinnati Cooks! assistants
  • Nutrition Program Presenters
PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Professional Leadership:  These volunteer assignments require experience and an on-going commitment to the Freestore Foodbanks mission, typically regular shift assignments, training and a long term commitment.  Possible activities include:

  • Special Projects
  • Board and Committee appointments
VOLUNTEER QUESTIONS

Volunteer Phone Number:  513 482-7550
Volunteer Email Address:
volunteer@freestorefoodbank.org
Volunteer Mailing Address: Volunteer Management Department, Freestore Foodbank, 112 East Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45204

Interested in volunteering with us? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about volunteering at the Freestore Foodbank.

Do I need to register and schedule a time to be a volunteer?

All volunteers, including adult chaperones, are required to register online before their visit to the Freestore Foodbank. After volunteers have created an on-line account they are able to select volunteer shifts and request reservations for group volunteer opportunities. To create your volunteer account, please click here. To schedule a group volunteer opportunity, please click here.  If you have questions, contact volunteer@freestorefoodbank.org or call us at 513-482-7550.

What types of volunteer opportunities does the Foodbank offer?

The Freestore welcomes both individuals and groups to work on a variety of tasks that help eliminate hunger in our area. All of our volunteer activities are one of three types:

Basic:  Basic volunteer assignments are usually one-time shifts that require little or no advanced preparation or training, but do require advanced registration.  Most groups and individuals are in this category.  Activities include:

  • Sorting and packaging nonperishable food that is later distributed to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters our Community Resource & Distribution Center.
  • Stocking shelves, sorting food and providing customer service to people as they shop at the Liberty Street Market in the Customer Connection Center.
  • Assisting at Special Events throughout the year including Holiday Operations, Rubber Duck Regatta, Hunger Walk and Hogs vs. Hunger.

Regular:  Regular volunteer assignments are usually ongoing assignments which can be daily, weekly, or monthly. These assignments usually require specialized skills and/or training and require advanced registration, an interview and a background check if working with sensitive material or direct customer assistance.  Possible activities include:

  • Clerical and administrative assistants
  • Receptionist and communication desk assignments
  • Back On Track (clothing store) assistants
  • Healthy Harvest Mobile Market assistants
  • Cincinnati Cooks! assistants
  • Nutrition Program Presenters

Professional Leadership:  These volunteer assignments require experience and an on-going commitment to the Freestore Foodbanks mission, typically regular shift assignments, training and a long term commitment.  Possible activities include:

  • Special Projects
  • Board and Committee appointments
Is there an age requirement to volunteer at the Freestore Food Bank?

Age requirements vary depending on the activities.

Community Resource & Distribution Center – All volunteers must be at least 13 years of age.
Customer Connection Center – All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
Special Events – Ages vary depending on tasks

All volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  Youth volunteers and adult chaperones are both required to complete the on-line registration in order to volunteer. The online system will prompt all minors to print and acquire a parental signature on a consent form before volunteering.

What are the hours of the activities?

Hours and shifts vary per event.  See each activity for more information.

Can I volunteer at the Freestore Foodbank on the weekend?

Yes!  We have volunteer opportunities at the Community Resource & Distribution Center.

Can I bring a group of volunteers to the Freestore?

Freestore Foodbank welcomes groups from corporate and civic organizations and school daily.

We are able to accommodate groups of varying sizes depending on the event:

  • Community Resource & Distribution Center:  Up to 35 volunteers per shift
  • Liberty Street Market:  Up to 10 volunteers per shift
  • Special Events:  varies per event

To schedule as a group, please submit a request here.

Is there a dress code for volunteers?

Volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes with closed-heels (volunteers wearing flip-flops or clogs will not be allowed to participate in any volunteer activities). Comfortable shoes and comfortable work clothes are recommended. We ask that all shirts have sleeves and may not contain any inappropriate language or messaging.

Warmer Months:  Shorts and short sleeve shirts are permitted at the warehouse, and in the Food Pantry.  We ask that all shirts have sleeves and may not contain any inappropriate language or messaging.

Colder Months:  Jeans and pants are recommended for the warehouse and Food Pantry.

Can I complete mandated Community Service hours for social service agencies or court by volunteering at the Freestore Foodbank?

The Freestore Foodbank is a great place to complete community service hours for social services agencies or court. Liberty Street Market volunteer opportunities have been designed just for you.

If you need community service hours to fulfill a requirement for a social service agency (JFS/Community Link, CMHA, ResCare or others) or you have been ordered to complete hours for a court diversion program, please send an email to trollins@freestorefoodbank.org to ask about Community Service. Freestore Foodbank is unable to work with those who have charges/convictions related to violence, sexual assault, theft or drugs.

Can I complete Community Service hours for school by volunteering at the Freestore Foodbank?

High School and College Students needing community service hours for school may volunteer at a variety of activities including the Community Resource & Distribution Center, Liberty Street Market and at special events.  Students should bring any service documentation forms required by their school to each volunteer shift.  It is each student’s responsibility to register as a volunteer before their first visit to the Freestore and to sign-in upon their arrival. If a student does not sign-in, we will have no record of their volunteer hours and be unable to confirm the time they have logged.

During the school year, special student nights and days are held at the Community Resource & Distribution Center.  Click here for upcoming dates.

What do I need to bring with me when I volunteer at the Freestore Foodbank?

Paperwork:  Adult volunteers who signed up online do not need to bring any paperwork unless they require their own community service documentation for school or court. If you are volunteering for court ordered or mandated community service hours you must attend the orientation first before being scheduled for an event and you will need to bring your documentation requirements.

All minor volunteers who signed up online will be prompted to print the Parent Consent during the online registration process.  A parent or guardian must sign the form prior to arrival and the minor should bring it with him/her on the volunteer day.   All registration and scheduling should be completed online before your first visit to the Freestore Foodbank.

Other items:  If you are volunteering at an outside event, you may want to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray or other items to make your volunteer time more enjoyable.  Check online when you register for specific items for your event.

Where is the Freestore Foodbank located?
  • Customer Connection Center
    112 E. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH  45204
  • Community Resource & Distribution Center
    3401 Rosenthal Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45204

Join our efforts and get started:

REGISTER FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER QUESTIONS

Volunteer Phone Number:  513 482-7550
Volunteer Email Address:
volunteer@freestorefoodbank.org
Volunteer Mailing Address: Volunteer Management Department, Freestore Foodbank, 3401 Rosenthal Way, Cincinnati, OH 45204