Welcome to the CFBNJ Volunteer Program!
Last year, our volunteers made nearly 35,000 site visits, dedicating nearly 90,000 hours to our cause (that’s equivalent to 43 full-time employees). We couldn’t do the work we do without our dedicated volunteers.
Volunteering at CFBNJ Egg Harbor Township
Volunteering at CFBNJ Hillside
Volunteers aged 16 & 17 must have written permission from a parent in order to volunteer alone
Most needed food items:
- Canned fish & meat (tuna, chicken, ham)
- Shelf stable milk
- Boxed meals (pasta, cereal, rice, potatoes)
- Canned & packaged meals (max & cheese, chili, soups)
- Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
- Canned vegetables & fruits
- Diapers & feminine hygiene products
- *no glass, cellophane, bottled water, soda, or baby food
Advance sign-ups are required (no walk-ins)
We ask that volunteers arrive 15 minutes prior to the shift start time to allow time for parking and check-in. To prevent disruption of volunteer activities that have already begun: Volunteers who arrive after the project has started may be asked to wait until additional volunteers arrive. Group members who arrive after the start of the project may not be placed with the rest of their group. Volunteers who are more than 30 minutes or more after the start of the shift may be given an administrative task or can reschedule for another date/time. We understand that traffic and other circumstances may cause volunteers to be late, but we ask that volunteers plan ahead so they can be on time and ensure maximum productivity and satisfaction during volunteer activities.
Are the sign up processes the same for all locations?
Yes. You can reserve a volunteer shift at either location on our CFBNJ volunteer signup page.
What will I be doing?
Warehouse volunteers at our Hillside location assist with a variety of tasks including sorting and repacking food items, assembling our Emergency Food boxes, Family Packs and Senior boxes, packaging bulk product into family sized bags, and help with office work and data entry tasks.
If you are volunteering at our Egg Harbor Township location, you can expect another selection of activities. These include working at our help desk, intake, and pantry assistants.
Learn more about what you can expect on our Volunteer FAQ page.
How do I volunteer with a group?
We welcome groups and offer that option when you sign up to volunteer. Groups must be registered and scheduled in advance of their shift. There are a few things that group leaders need to keep in mind: please be sure to distribute warehouse guidelines to everyone in the group, and that volunteer groups with teens aged 12 through 16 must be accompanied by one adult for every 10 teens. Adults must stay with their groups in their assigned work areas.
What should I wear?
Dress is casual and comfortable (remember that the warehouse is not temperature controlled).
The following items are not allowed in the warehouse: open-toe shoes, heels, sandals or flip flops; short shorts/short skirts, tank tops, bare midriffs, or revealing clothing; bags of any kind – purses, backpacks, cross body, etc; any controversial clothing that contains messages that can be considered derogatory, insulting or otherwise disrespectful to employees or visitors.
NOTE: It is best not to bring your valuables to the warehouse. However, we do have some lockers available for your use, if necessary. The Community FoodBank is not responsible for missing personal belongings.
What happens if I’m late?
We ask that volunteers arrive 15 minutes prior to the shift start time to allow time for parking and check-in.
To prevent disruption of volunteer activities that have already begun
- Volunteers who arrive after the project has started may be asked to wait until additional volunteers arrive.
- Group members who arrive after the start of the project may not be placed with the rest of their group.
- Volunteers who are more than 30 minutes late may not be able to join a warehouse project that has already started. Volunteers who arrive 30 minutes or more after the start of the shift may be given an administrative task or can reschedule for another date/time.
We understand that traffic and other circumstances may cause volunteers to be late, but we ask that volunteers plan ahead so they can be on time and ensure maximum productivity and satisfaction during volunteer activities.
Corporate
Volunteering Opportunities
Corporate volunteer groups, representing the FoodBank’s most important mission delivery partners, are always a welcome presence at CFBNJ. Our volunteer activities provide a unique opportunity for companies to give back and foster employee engagement while making a direct impact on hunger and raising awareness about important issues facing so many of our New Jersey neighbors. Corporate volunteer groups engage in a range of activities.
At our Hillside location, they might:
- Sort and repack donated food and other items
- Assemble Family Packs, Senior Food Boxes or Diabetes Food Kits
- Package bulk products such as pasta
- Make meals in our kitchen
At our Egg Harbor Township location, they might:
- Sort and repack donated food and other items
- Help at our on-site or mobile pantries, providing food directly to our neighbors in need
Corporate volunteer groups may sign up online or contact our team.
Women Fighting Hunger
Women Fighting Hunger supports the goals and priorities of CFBNJ, and provides Food, Help and Hope through hands-on philanthropy, leadership and collaboration. Together, WFH works to support CFBNJ programs and directly engage members and the extended community in the fight against hunger, and work to raise essential funds and awareness. These projects provide much needed support to the efforts of CFBNJ and can be tailored to anyone’s time, interests, and talents.
With over 60 dedicated volunteers, Women Fighting Hunger currently has members working on the following projects/teams: advocacy, college pantry liaisons, communications, diaper and period product drives, Child Nutrition, Workforce Development Career Assistance, Network Grant Support, stewardship, Students Change Hunger, and the Annual Turkey Drive.
Emerging Leaders
CFBNJ’s Emerging Leaders is a group of young professionals in New Jersey committed to ending hunger.
CFBNJ’s Emerging Leaders group contributes innovative ideas and resources to facilitate CFBNJ’s mission through advocacy, awareness, and financial support.
Why Join the Emerging Leaders?
- Experience rewarding engagement in ending hunger in New Jersey
- Create deep and lasting ties to CFBNJ
- Tap into individual skills and experience
- Build a sense of community with other young professionals with opportunities for education, enrichment, and personal growth
Junior Volunteer Days (Formerly Family Days)
The CFBNJ warehouse in Hillside is pleased to bring back Junior Volunteer Days. Junior Volunteer Days allow kids aged 6-11 to volunteer with their parents.
Junior Volunteer Dates
January 25, 9am-11am and 11:30am-1:30pm
April 12, 9am-11am and 11:30am-1:30pm
May 31, 9am-11am and 11:30am-1:30pm.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey offers a variety of innovative programs dedicated to educating children, teens, and young adults about hunger and poverty. We also provide them with the tools to make meaningful changes in their communities. There are many ways for youth to get involved, either on their own or with guidance from their teachers.
The Care Crew
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside is launching a Volunteer Warehouse Ambassador program, known as the Care Crew. The Care Crew will be trained volunteers who will support CFBNJ staff to provide guidance, information, and gratitude to volunteer groups (corporate, school, community) in the warehouse.
Care Crew members will be asked to make a one-year commitment which will include an application, interview, orientation session, and commit to two volunteer shifts in Hillside per month. Candidates should have already completed two volunteer shifts at the Hillside warehouse before they apply to join the Care Crew.
The Care Crew will:
- Work with staff to greet and sign-in groups
- Provide an overview, if staff is unavailable
- Circulate among the group during the volunteer activity to answer questions about the project or the FoodBank
- Learn how to work various projects – Food Sorting, Box building, and Pasta
- Have strong knowledge of FoodBank mission, priorities, and programs
- Thank volunteer groups at the end of the shift
Contact Volunteer Services
To submit a question or inquire about one of our Hillside Family Days, please fill out the form below and a member of our Volunteer Services team will reach out to you.