Each week the Food Bank of Iowa receives food donations that need to be sorted and organized before being distributed to 700 partner agencies. Volunteers can help get the food to our agencies and the Iowans that need it most by participating in this process! Examples of projects include sorting bulk bins of boxed pasta into boxes for inventory, checking quality and dates on food drive items and categorizing them, packing boxes of food or bags of fresh produce, and more!
Processing food donations makes it possible to put food that can feed our neighbors in their cupboards and keep it out of landfills. It's a double win!
Key Responsibilities:
- Check condition of donated items, including dates, to ensure safety of consumption.
- Sort and place checked items into the appropriate categories or boxes or bins.
- Packing food in boxes at specified weights and loading boxes onto pallets.
- Bagging produce, such as potatoes and apples, at specified weights.
- Break down cardboard for recycling and dispose of trash.
Support/Training: Volunteers will be given instructions upon arrival, and will have staff support throughout their shift.
Qualifications:
- Able to stand, move, bend, and lift in warehouse environment.
- Able to read printed dates on packaging.
- Able to safely use box cutter, packing tape dispenser, and other packing tools as needed.
Age Requirement: For safety reasons, all volunteers in the warehouse must be 10 or older. Events outside of the warehouse can accommodate children of all ages. Please check event descriptions.
Dress Code: Closed-toe shoes are required in the warehouse. Also, please dress comfortably and in layers. The temperature in the warehouse can vary.
