Become a
Food Bank Volunteer

The Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s warehouse receives and distributes millions of pounds of food every year – and we couldn’t do it without our volunteers.

Each week, hundreds of volunteers help us feed as many people as possible by sorting and packing food at our warehouse in Elmira, NY and providing assistance at distribution sites, including Mobile Food Pantries and Kids’ Farmers Markets throughout the Southern Tier.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sort & Repack
In our production room at the Food Bank’s warehouse in Elmira, volunteers sort and repack bulk foods and items for redistribution to our neighbors in need and assemble bags for kids in our BackPack Program.

Mobile Food Pantry
Meet our Mobile Food Pantry truck at pre-designated sites to help set up, distribute food, and assist in clean up. MFPs happen six days a week throughout our service area. Pre-registration is required.

Kids’ Farmers Market
Distribute fresh produce to kids at markets in Broome, Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, and Tioga counties.

Ready to get involved and make a difference in your community?

We’re always accepting new volunteers! Sign up to volunteer below.

Please review our Volunteer Safety Guidelines before you sign up. For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 607.796.6061 x4043.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our main facility is located at 388 Upper Oakwood Avenue Elmira, NY 14903

You will need to register as a user on VolunteerHub. Once logged in, scroll down to view upcoming events and click the Sign Up button for events that interest you.

All volunteers must read the Volunteer Agreement prior to registering for a volunteer shift. By registering for a shift, you agree to the terms and conditions set in the Volunteer Agreement. Volunteers over 18 will sign the agreement in VolunteerHub.

When you arrive at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, a staff member will greet you at the front door and ask you to enter the Volunteer Lounge. Our Production Team will greet you and have you sign in on a tablet. Once the shift begins, we will provide a mandatory orientation and provide information on what items you will be packing or sorting during the shift.

After successfully answering these questions, you can proceed up the stairs to the volunteer lounge. The production staff will give you a quick orientation with instructions for the project of the day.

We encourage all volunteers to be prompt. Volunteers arriving more than ten minutes after the beginning of the shift have missed the mandatory orientation and are not able to participate.

No. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walk-ins. All volunteer events are listed under the Events tab on VolunteerHub and should be signed up for in advance.

Anyone 6 years old and over can volunteer at our Repacks in Elmira. Anyone 15 and older can volunteer at our Mobile Food Pantries. Youth under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult in order to volunteer.

We are unable to honor court mandated community service. Due to the nature of volunteer work, some individuals with restrictions may not be able to volunteer (i.e. unable to physically move small objects or follow instruction). Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to set up a one-on-one consultation to discuss if volunteering with the Food Bank is a good fit.

Clothes may get dirty when working in the warehouse. Please dress in comfortable layers.

You must wear closed-toed shoes to volunteer in the warehouse. Sensible, closed-toe shoes (no sandals) are required when working in the warehouse. Sneakers or boots are recommended. No one wearing open-toe shoes will be permitted in the warehouse.

Loose jewelry is not recommended. The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

Each additional person must be registered through VolunteerHub individually. Be sure to log out of your account first.

Please email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@foodbankst.org.

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – Noon

To book for groups, please email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@foodbankst.org.

Many youth in our service area rely on school lunches during the school week, which are not available to them on the weekends. The BackPack Program provides easy-to-make, nutritious, and kid-friendly food items that are distributed to youth for the weekend. The program is active during the school year, through Memorial Day, and resumes after Labor Day in the fall.

The Mobile Food Pantry delivers nutritious foods and fresh produce to rural areas and senior centers. Attendees must pre-register through the Find Food page. During the event, volunteers help pack food boxes, register attendees, and set-up and distribute boxes.