HOUSTON FOOD BANK
What Is It?: A nonprofit that feeds 800,000 hungry people each year by distributing food through nearly 600 hunger relief agencies in 18 southeast Texas counties.
Help Needed: Projects include sorting and packaging food, preparing meals, helping provide school supplies to teachers, organizing food drives, posting on social media, and helping with special events.
Minimum Age to Volunteer: Minimum age to volunteer: Children as young as age 6 are welcome for many projects. Volunteers under age 17 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian while volunteering.
Help Needed
HELP IN THE WAREHOUSE
Volunteer projects vary based on need, and may include inspecting/sorting food, repacking dry food into family-sized bags, stocking or cleaning the Emergency Food Pantry, or one of many other opportunities.
HELP IN THE KITCHEN
Volunteers may help prepare and package nutritious hot meals or help sanitize the kitchen. Ages 16 and up; 16-year-olds MUST be accompanied by parent or guardian.
STUDENT HEROES PROGRAM
A 16-week program for high school students ages 16-18. Students get training and experience while taking a leadership role in volunteer-based projects. Completion of the program is a step toward becoming a member of the Apple Corps, a dedicated group of volunteer leaders at the Houston Food Bank. More information is here.
HELP WITH OTHER PROJECTS OR SPECIAL EVENTS
Other programs include distributing food at community food fairs, community centers, or elementary schools, or helping with one of the Food Bank’s many special events, such as Empty Bowls Houston, Canstruction, or the Souper Bowl of Caring.
HELP WITH TEACHERS AID
This program provides school supplies to teachers who work in low income areas. During weekday shifts, volunteers help stock and organize items on the shelves, and prepare for teacher pick-ups. On the weekend shift, volunteers help check customers in and out, assist them with shopping, and stock and organize school supplies. Ages 13 and up.
SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADOR
Help spread awareness of the Food Bank’s activities by posting at least twice a month on any of your social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Instagram, or even a simple blog post. Ambassadors also share Houston Food Bank posts and tag the Food Bank in their posts.
SHARE YOUR HOLIDAYS PHONE BANK
Each year, for a week in early December, shifts of volunteers help Food Bank staff register clients by phone to receive holiday food boxes. This work helps tens of thousands of people access the food they need over the holidays.
Volunteers receive plenty of instruction and support, and receive an average of 50 calls per 4-hour shift. Spanish speakers are especially needed. Minimum age for phone volunteers is 16.
The warehouse is located at 535 Portwall Street. Volunteers also serve at the Food Bank’s Keegan Kitchen, 2445 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77009.
2016
2016
2015
Aramco Services volunteers, 2016
Ernst & Young volunteers, 2015
2016
2013
Children who hosted a food drive for their 7th birthdays, 2013
2016
2016
Brownies who donated $200 from their cookie sales, 2016
2015
Visit from Chelsea Clinton, 2015
2016
Cy-Fair ISD's Club Rewind, 2013
Houston Food Bank
Girl Scout Troop 27176, 2013
YES Prep Gulton volunteers, 2015
Hunger Game competition, 2015
Katy Youth Cricket volunteers, 2016
Birthday party volunteers, 2016
Birthday party volunteers, 2016
Kids Cafe' helpers at Buffalo Creek Boys & Girls Club, 2017
Lakewood Church volunteers, 2014
Food Bank lobby area
Mattress Firm volunteers in the Keegan Kitchen, 2014
Student Heroes, 2016
Mayor's Youth Council volunteers, 2014
Montessori Downtown students' lemonade stand, 2016
2016
Cub Scout Pack 63 contribution, 2016
2016
Ryleigh (right) held her birthday party at the Food Bank, 2016
Student Heroes, 2016
Sam Houston Area Scouts helping with Souper Bowl of Caring, 2014
Share the Holidays volunteers, 2016
Share the Holidays volunteer, 2016
Houston Food Bank
Student Heroes, 2016
Montessori Downtown students, 2016
2016
Souper Bowl of Caring local youth advisory board, 2015
Student Hero, 2016
Texans Care Day, 2016
Preparing Thanksgiving bags, 2013
Boy Scout Troop 1283, 2016
Repackaging rice into smaller bags, 2014
Theater Under the Stars volunteers, 2016
University of Houston volunteers, 2014
Volunteers on 9-11 Day of Service, 2016
2016
YES Prep volunteers, 2013
YES Prep Gulton volunteers, 2015
YES Prep Southwest volunteers, 2013
Warehouse volunteers with yoga class afterwards, 2016
Children receiving their weekend bags of food from Backpack Buddies
St. Stephens Episcopal School volunteers, 2016
2016
I have ADD and volunteering here was soo satisfying. We packed enough food to hypothetically last someone 76 years. I really enjoyed volunteering here.
My daughter volunteered here when she was 6. It is one of the few places in Houston where kids as young as 6 years old can volunteer and do something “hands on”. The Food Bank’s volunteer programs are extremely well run.
I volunteered at the Food Bank right after Hurricane Harvey in an effort to help distribute food throughout the city to people in need. The experience was amazing. Despite the overwhelmingly large amount of volunteers, they took in every single one of us and had a job for us. It was really hands-on and fun to do! It’s also pretty relaxing, so you can come and do it with your friends and have a great time. It was amazing to see how much food we had packed, and I felt like we did something really beneficial. I will definitely do it again.
When does this opportunity start / end?
What do I need to submit to begin the opportunity?
The Houston Food Bank offers many different volunteer options, and times vary. Please visit this link or call the Volunteer Hotline at 713-547-8604 for more information.