Volunteer
Connecticut Food Bank welcomes individual and group volunteers who want to help fight hunger here at home. There are many ways and opportunities to give time to help us in our mission to alleviate hunger Connecticut.
Urgent/Immediate Volunteer Needs
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Ready to volunteer? Get started here by signing up.
Or, click here to sign up your group (corporate, church, civic group).
For more information, please contact Kim Damien, Connecticut Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator, at 203-469-5000, ext. 311 or email. If you are interested in volunteering directly at a local food assistance program, contact Infoline by dialing 211 or visiting Infoline.org.
Urgent/Immediate Volunteer Needs
East Haven Warehouse
Volunteers are needed at the East Haven warehouse to inspect, sort and pack perishable and non-perishable food for distribution to direct feeding programs.
Days and times of need are:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. – Noon
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1 – 3 p.m.
Wednesdays 4 – 5:30p.m. and 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
For adults, ages 16 and older
Sorting Donated Food
On weekdays, volunteers inspect, sort and pack perishable and non-perishable food for distribution to direct feeding programs.
Office Assistance
Volunteers are often needed to write thank-you notes, file, copy, stuff envelopes, etc. to assist various departments at the East Haven main office. While help is needed year-round, during the months of September through January we need additional volunteers to process mail, do data entry, and fold and stuff letters.
Gleaning
Volunteers are needed periodically to help glean (pick and sort) fresh produce at local farms and orchards for food distribution to the many food assistance agencies thoughout our six-county service area.
Plant a Row for the Hungry
While planting your yearly garden, include an extra row to donate to Connecticut Food Bank or a food program in your area. Read about our Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign by clicking here.
Special Events
Thanksgiving is our busiest time of year and offers many volunteer opportunities. There are food drives such as WPLR’s Fill the Bowl, Star 99.9′s Food for Friends, and WATR’s Big Heart at Big Y and there is an increased need for food sorting at all of our locations during the holidays.
Connecticut Food Bank’s biggest fundraiser is the Walk Against Hunger, held every spring in New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury. This community event raises public awareness about hunger, encourages personal involvement in addressing hunger, and raises funds to help Connecticut Food Bank distribute food to approximately 600 food programs. Be a walker to raise money or volunteer as a registrar, crossing guard or for another role.
Food drives are held throughout the year to benefit Connecticut Food Bank, such as the National Association of Letter Carriers in May.
If your group or organization is interested in hosting a food drive, we can help you set it up! Click here for details.
For young people age 13 to 15 years
Young people play a vital role as volunteers, helping with everything from sorting donated food and assisting with office mailings, to helping at food drives and special events. Children ages 13-15 MUST be accompanied by a parent at all times when they volunteer in a Connecticut Food Bank warehouse. If you have questions about volunteering, contact Kim Damien, Connecticut Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator, at (203) 469-5000, ext. 311, or email.