Thank you for your interest in volunteering with GLFB! Shift descriptions below are meant to provide an overview of typical duties for each volunteer opportunity — please refer to the volunteer scheduling portal for the most up-to-date information on individual opportunities or email volunteers@glfoodbank.org with any questions.
Warehouse
All warehouse volunteer shifts report to 5600 Food Court, Bath, MI 48808 unless otherwise indicated or directed. Other considerations when volunteering at GLFB’s warehouse include:
- Attire: closed-toe shoes and covered armpits. Please note that warehouse temperature can vary significantly; dressing in layers is recommended.
- No open food or drink is allowed on the warehouse floor; water is provided and volunteers may bring snacks to consume in the designated break area of the volunteer center.
- All volunteers must be 14 years of age or older.
- Most shifts will require a certain amount of lifting, bending and repetitive motion.
Food sorter
Volunteers will evaluate, clean, sanitize, repack and label all donated food and grocery products into designated categories. Food sorters may also pack food for specific programs such as Weekend Kits for kids, Care Kits for unhoused neighbors and monthly commodity food boxes for seniors. Ability to read labels and dates is required for this shift.
Typical times: Mon. — Fri., 9 a.m. — Noon and 1 — 3 p.m.
Weekend Kit stager
Volunteers will help organize Weekend Kit orders to prepare the GLFB warehouse for volunteer driver pickup and delivery to schools across Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties the next morning.
Typical times: Every other Wed., Noon — 1 p.m.
Weekend Kit loader
Volunteers will help load Weekend Kit orders during volunteer driver pickup and delivery to schools across Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties. Please note that one volunteer will be stationed outside for driver check-in.
Typical times: Every other Thu., 8 — 11 a.m.
Weekend Kit driver
Volunteers will pick up and deliver Weekend Kit orders for kids to schools across Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties. Our greatest need is for drivers to serve Ingham County, primarily within the immediate Lansing area.
Typical times: Every other Thu., 8 — 11 a.m.
In the community
Mobile Food Pantry volunteer
Volunteers will help direct traffic and record number of households receiving food, load vehicles with pantry products, produce, dairy and frozen items, speak with neighbors and assist with set up and tear down of Mobile Food Pantry distributions. Remember to dress for the weather and wear layers.
Times and dates vary — visit the volunteer portal for current openings
Gleaning
Volunteers will help harvest fresh produce at the request of local growers, including cherries and especially apples, for distribution through GLFB’s partner agencies and programming.
Typical season: Late summer — late fall, Tue. — Fri. 9 a.m. — Noon
Garden Project
GLFB’s Garden Project supports a network of nearly 90 community gardens and more than 6,000 home gardeners and offers a variety of seasonal volunteer opportunities.
For more information on volunteering with Garden Project, email gardenproject@glfoodbank.org.
Seed sorter & counter
Garden Project receives thousands of seed packets each year from area retailers and seed producers. Volunteers will help sort and count seed packets according to variety at GLFB’s distribution center.
Typical season: October — December
Garden to Go kit assembler
Volunteers will create packages containing seed packets and gardening information at GLFB’s distribution center. Garden to Go kits are distributed at no cost to agency partners across GLFB’s seven-county service area.
Typical season: November — February
Resource Center volunteer
Garden Project’s Resource Center offers free plants and seeds to community gardeners and low–income home gardeners during open hour sessions each spring. Many volunteers are needed at the Resource Center, and at pop-up distribution events, to help greet and register gardeners, distribute plants, offer seed selection guidance and manage the tool library.
Typical season: Mid-April — June
Garden maintenance
Volunteers at community gardens can assist with a variety of tasks throughout the growing season including weeding, spreading woodchips and mulch, preparing planting areas and removing debris at the end of the season. These opportunities are available for both individuals and groups, with one-time and ongoing options to fit different schedules.
Typical season: April — October
Educational speaker
Garden Project often seeks area experts who would like to volunteer to share their gardening knowledge with the wider community during workshops and training sessions.
Typical season: March — September
At-home seed starter / Plant propagator
Experienced seed starters can volunteer to provide donated flats of vegetable, herb or flower transplants. Transplants are distributed for free to community gardeners and low-income home gardeners through the Resource Center and at mobile distributions across GLFB’s seven-county service area.
Typical season: March — June