Frequently Asked Questions

The safety of employees and volunteers is our top priority. We have revised our COVID-19 protocols and masks are no longer mandatory; however, CFBNJ remains “mask friendly.” This means that while face coverings will no longer be required, anyone can wear them if they choose to, based on their level of comfort. We ask all visitors and volunteers to respect everyone’s choice.

Hand sanitizer is provided and frequent handwashing is encouraged.

The facilities are cleaned regularly throughout the day.

You can sign up to volunteer with CFBNJ on our website

If you are having trouble signing up online, you can always contact Volunteer Services and we will assist you.

There are several opportunities in Hillside:

• Hillside Warehouse Volunteering
• Sorting and repacking food items
• Assembling our Emergency Food boxes, Family Packs and Senior boxes.
• Packaging bulk product into family sized bags
• Assisting in our production kitchen
• Occasional office work and data entry tasks
• Off-site opportunities such as volunteering at a Network Partner or a special event such as the Turkey Drive

Go to our volunteer signup to check out the opportunities available.

Dress is casual and comfortable (remember that the warehouse is not temperature controlled).

The following items are not allowed in the warehouse:

• No open-toe shoes, heels, sandals or flip flops
• No short shorts/short skirts, tank tops, bare midriffs, or revealing clothing
• No bags of any kind – purse, backpack, cross body bags, etc.
• Any controversial clothing 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.

• No open-toe shoes may be worn in the warehouse.
• No bags of any kind or thermoses may be brought into the warehouse.
• No eating, drinking, running or smoking in the warehouse.
• Volunteers must not remove any products from the premises.
• Volunteers must not touch, handle or operate any warehouse equipment (i.e. hand truck, forklift or golf cart).
• All volunteers should remain in their assigned work areas. Please report to the group leader or CFBNJ staff if you need to leave your work area.
• No more than two youth volunteers should leave the work area at the same time.
• Cleanup of the work area is part of your volunteer visit.

You can use this map to get driving directions to our Hillside, New Jersey warehouse.

Please go to NJTransit.com to find out the best way to get to CFBNJ from your location. The #59, #65 and #66 NJ Transit bus routes all have stops near our Hillside warehouse.

Parking is available directly on the premises. Groups are encouraged to carpool.

When you turn on to Evans Terminal continue about halfway down the road. Make a left onto a paved road between two buildings (follow signs for Volunteer Parking). Drive until you reach a fenced-in lot with numbered spaces. Park in the fenced-in lot, not in front of any buildings. Only if this lot is full, go down to the bottom of Evans Terminal and turn left to find additional CFBNJ-designated parking with numbered spots. If you are arriving by bus or shuttle please contact us for further instructions.

Do NOT park in any spaces labeled TRK or in any other spaces not designated for CFBNJ including SkyFrame.

Violators will be towed at the owner’s expense.

• All groups must be registered and scheduled in advance of their shift.
• Group contact/leader should contact the office if any of the details in your confirmation are not correct. Do this at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date.
• Group leaders should distribute the Warehouse guidelines to everyone in the group.
• Volunteer groups with teens age 12 through 16 must be accompanied by one adult for every 10 teens. Adults must stay with their groups in their assigned work areas. The CFBNJ staff cannot act as chaperones or supervisors.

Yes! The minimum age to volunteer with CFBNJ is 12, with adult supervision.

• Teens aged 16-17 may volunteer without adult supervision, if they have written permission from their parents on file.
• Junior volunteer days are hosted throughout the year for children age 6-11 to volunteer with a parent. You can learn more about those on our main Volunteer page.

If you need to cancel your volunteer shift, please reply directly to your confirmation email or contact the Volunteer Department.

Please contact the Volunteer Services Department soon as possible to check on additional availability. We are happy to accommodate, if possible.

If you don’t want to volunteer in our warehouse, we have many offsite volunteer opportunities! They include:

• Volunteer at one of our Partner Agencies (see list under “Off-site opportunities”)
• Our annual Turkey Drive in November
• Collect food and monetary donations at food shows, food drives, concerts and sporting events

Volunteers are always needed for our annual Check-Out Hunger campaign. This opportunity involves setting up and monitoring donation placards in NJ supermarkets every fall and winter.

Please contact the Volunteer Services Department for more information.

Our meeting room has limited capacity at this time and we aren’t able to host large groups.

We are happy to reserve a room if it is available. Please contact the Volunteer Services Department to check availability. Please do this well in advance, as the schedule fills up very quickly.