Volunteers make a difference

FOOD for Lane County could not do what we do without the help of thousands of volunteers! Want to help but not sure how? We have volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and interests. Find out more about our volunteer opportunities listed below, and give us a call to talk about your options. Contact Dan Budd at 541-343-2822/ email here
Check out this video of volunteer extraordinaire, Robin Heide:Already know what you want to do?

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Volunteer opportunities

Partner Agencies
All FFLC Partner Agencies are their own, independent, non-profit or religious organization. Most are staffed by volunteers and are great places to work and volunteer in direct service. Find the closest place to you to volunteer.

Day Kitchen
Monday through Thursday afternoons, volunteers prepare food for the Family Dinner Program, repack bulk products, sort and clean donated produce and perform other kitchen tasks as needed.

Meals on Wheels
Volunteer delivery drivers are needed to deliver noontime meals to homebound seniors in the Eugene area, from 10:30am pick up to 12:30pm equipment dropoff. Total time commitment is approximately two hours per week. Drivers use their own cars and should have the physical ability to carry up to ten pounds and get in and out of the car approximately 20 times during a delivery route. Drivers are required to have a current drivers license and car insurance, and must pass a DHS background check and fill out a FFLC volunteer application prior to training. To get started, please fill out the FFLC MOW volunteer application and DHS background check and submit with a copy of your driver’s license to Amber Friedman. Please call Amber with any questions or to receive a printed copy of the required paperwork: 541-607-5065.

Events
Volunteering at a FOOD for Lane County event is a fun way to get involved in our mission to end hunger in Lane County. Most events happen on an annual basis with enormous support from volunteers. Take a look at the events page to see what’s coming up.

Family Dinner Program
Volunteers are needed at FOOD for Lane County’s Dining Room to assist with food preparation in the afternoon and with serving meals and clean up in the evening. The Dining Room serves meals Monday through Thursday.

Food Rescue Express (FREX)
FREX volunteers repackage rescued food for distribution to pantries and meal sites around Lane County. The FREX kitchen operates Monday through Friday evenings and depends on a staff of more than 150 volunteers each week.

Gardens
Volunteers are needed year-round at FFLC’s two gardens to participate in a variety of activities, including soil preparation, planting, harvesting, composting, and greenhouse projects. Large groups of volunteers can be accommodated by special arrangement.

Seed to Supper
Seed to Supper is a comprehensive, six-week beginning gardening course that gives novice, adult gardeners the tools they need to successfully grow a portion of their own food on a limited budget. Seed to Supper Garden Educator volunteers teach classes at community host sites.

Nutrition Education
FOOD for Lane County’s Nutrition Education Program provides nutrition education, basic cooking skills and tips on how to stretch limited food budgets to income-eligible audiences throughout Lane County. We currently have two education programs: Cooking Matters and Cooking Matters at the Store. Classes are taught by volunteers and administered by FOOD for Lane County in partnership with Oregon Food Bank and with the support of Share Our Strength.

Partner Agencies
While FOOD for Lane County administers many of its own programs, we rely on our network of approved partner agencies to distribute the majority of the food we collect. All FFLC Partner Agencies are their own, independent non-profit or religious organizations. Find the partner agency closest to you and the contact information to volunteer with that agency.

Senior Grocery Program
The Senior Grocery Program provides groceries to low-income seniors in our community. Volunteer as a Senior Grocery delivery driver! Volunteers must be able to carry 40 pounds, provide a copy of a current driver’s license, car insurance and pass a background check. A short orientation is required prior to beginning deliveries. Deliveries are scheduled between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday.

Summer Food Program
FOOD for Lane County serves free, nutritious lunches to children during the summer through its Summer Food Program. Volunteers prepare lunches in FFLC’s kitchen and serve lunches to children at sites located throughout Lane County.

Warehouse
Warehouse volunteers help with basic warehouse tasks such as cleaning, loading and unloading trucks and vans, sorting donated food and helping with pick-ups and deliveries. Available shifts vary during the warehouse operating hours Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.