Our volunteer centers are open in Des Moines and Ottumwa. Morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available. We also offer skills-based volunteering and volunteering from home. Learn more about how you can support our vision of a hunger-free Iowa.

Volunteer In Person

We welcome individual and group volunteers. You can count your hours toward school or work service, like Silver Cord, but not court-ordered community service.

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

Group Volunteering (for groups of five or more):

Gather your coworkers, friends or other group of five or more members to request a volunteer shift together! To volunteer as a group, please complete our group volunteer form. This does not guarantee your shift/date, as our calendar fills quickly. You will receive further communication from our team if your shift is confirmed.

Group volunteer sign-up

Food Sorting

Volunteers sort and pack thousands of pounds of food each day. Here are some examples of what you’ll do:

  • Pack BackPack sacks
  • Evaluate, sort and pack food drive donations
  • Pack family boxes
  • Bag bulk produce
  • Repackage bulk rice, pasta, cereal or crackers into family-sized bags
  • Box up like items into equally weighted boxes
  • Label food items
  • Break down cardboard and plastic for recycling

Qualifications:

  • Minimum age: 10 years
  • Volunteers ages 10 – 15 years must be accompanied by an adult/guardian who is also registered for the shift.
  • Able to stand, move, bend and and lift in a warehouse environment during the entire 2-3 hour shift.
  • Able to read printed dates on packages and weight on scales. Able to safely use a box cutter, packing tape dispenser and other packing tools as needed.
  • Able to lift a minimum of 10 pounds. Some positions may require lifting up to 40 pounds.

Skills-Based Volunteering

You’ll put your talents and experience to work for us. Opportunities are diverse and can be tailored to match your skills. Some common needs include:

  • Data entry
  • Drivers for large vans
  • Administrative assistance
  • Special events support

Please complete a skills-based volunteer form so we can match you with the right opportunity.

Volunteer from Home

You can help from home or virtually anywhere by creating inspiration cards for our BackPack Program™.

Then, deliver these items to our distribution centers in Des Moines (2220 E. 17th St.) or Ottumwa (705 W. Main St.). We’re open 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mondays–Thursdays and 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Fridays.

BackPack Program Inspiration Cards

We distribute more than 4,100 BackPack sacks for elementary students each week. These bags include nutritious, kid-friendly food for the weekend, plus an inspirational message. We need help creating these inspiration cards for kids and their families.

DIY T-Shirt Tote Bags

As the need for food assistance increases, we need bags to support mobile pantries and school pantries. It’s easy to sew the T-shirt tote bags we distribute to partners for use at their pantries. All you need is a sewing machine, heavyweight cotton t-shirts and a few other common items.

Food Bank volunteers

Questions about Volunteering?

Contact Senior Volunteer Training and Development Manager Michaela Devaney Lowe at mdevaneylowe@foodbankiowa.org or 515-867-2886.