Individual Volunteers

We appreciate your interest in volunteering at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB). 

Individual applications will be accepted starting on December 30th!

Volunteer Opportunities

At this time, we do not have any volunteer opportunities open. We encourage you to stay updated on future volunteer opportunities by visiting the GVFB website or following us on social media @vanfoodbank.

Loading...

Fresh Sort Volunteers

We are looking for Fresh Food Sort volunteers to help with quality checking and categorizing perishable fruit, vegetables, dairy, and deli donations. This food-focused role is great for individuals that want to help rescue food!

Fresh Sort Volunteers

We are looking for Fresh Food Sort volunteers to help with quality checking and categorizing perishable fruit, vegetables, dairy, and deli donations. This food-focused role is great for individuals that want to help rescue food!

 Age requirement:
  • 16+
Shift times:
  • Monday-Thursday, 1 pm-4 pm
  • Friday, 9 am-1 pm and 1 pm-4 pm
  • Schedule varies depending on the week
Location:
  • 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby
Commitment:
  • This role offers flexible scheduling on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis.
Responsibilities:
  • Quality check donated perishables, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, and deli products, adhering to GVFB food safety and best before date practices;
  • Dispose of non-consumable products into appropriate waste streams (compost, recycling, ReFeed bins);
  • Move pallets with a manual pallet jack (training provided onsite);
  • Wrap, weigh, and label sorted pallets;
  • Cleaning the fresh sort room at the end of each shift; emptying waste bins, wiping all surfaces and mopping the floor;
  • Safely handle spoiled food items, which could involve dealing with mold;
  • Efficiently complete other food sort-related tasks as assigned by the Sort Associate.
Requirements:
  • Detail-oriented to ensure that food is accurately quality checked;
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and safety guidelines to ensure the quality of preserved food;
  • Ability to work independently and perform tasks in a timely manner;
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with a small team of volunteers;
  • Ability to use manual pallet jack or a willingness to learn how to use (training provided by staff on-site).
  • Ability to stand for three hours;
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 40 lbs safely;
  • Ability to complete repetitive tasks;
  • Comfortable working in a temperature-controlled environment (typically set at 4 to 10 degrees Celsius).  Jackets and gloves are provided onsite.

 

Food Preservation

Support with our newest project - preserving fruits and vegetables!

Food Preservation

Volunteers will be part of the food preservation process from start to finish. We are looking for individuals who can support weekly, complete tasks independently, and have a passion for food! 

Location: 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby 

Responsibilities: 

  • Wash and process products (chop/slice and lay out on tray); 
  • Clean up the food preparation station and compost waste; 
  • Consistently wash utensils throughout the shift; 
  • Safely handle spoiled food items, which could involve dealing with mold; 
  • Clean and sanitize dehydrator and freeze dryer racks and other items as needed; 
  • Efficiently complete other food preservation-related tasks as assigned by the Food Preservation Associate. 

Requirements:  

  • At least 18 years old. 
  • Ability to stand for 3 hours.  
  • General knife skills
  • Ability to follow directions and work independently.  
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 40 lbs.  

Required Skills, Abilities, and Experience: 

  • Can practice safe knife handling skills; 
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and safety guidelines to ensure the quality of preserved food; 
  • Ability to work independently and perform tasks in a timely manner; 
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with other volunteers or staff involved in the preservation process. 

Physical Requirements: 

  • Ability to stand for three hours; 
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 40 lbs safely; 
  • Ability to complete repetitive tasks; 
  • Comfortable entering and exiting a walk-in freezer and cooler (exposure to changing temperatures). Jackets and gloves are provided onsite. 
  • Contact volunteer@foodbank.bc.ca to request accommodations. 

 

Shift Times: Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Age Requirement: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Food Distribution

This front-line opportunity provides direct food support to those in need.

Food Distribution

This front-line opportunity provides direct food support to those in need. 

As a Distribution Volunteer, you will help staff and volunteers provide efficient food support to clients. In this role, you will focus on the flow of operations and be quite active during your shift. Tasks include line management, restocking supplies, distributing menu items, program packs, and cleaning duties. Sign up today and experience a fast-paced, front-line role that directly supports the community! 

Locations: 

  • 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby  
  • 3454 Lougheed Hwy, Vancouver  

Responsibilities: 

  • Create a positive and welcoming experience for clients and provide any organizational updates; 
  • Distribute menu items and follow allotment requirements; 
  • Sweep and clean the distribution site and ensure all sharp objects (ie. Box cutters) are put away; 
  • Restock food stations for fellow volunteers; 
  • Recycle packaging and compost spoiled food; 
  • Monitor parking lot and provide directions to clients and vehicles; 
  • Understand and follow safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment; 
  • Completing other distribution-related tasks as requested by staff.   

Required Skills, Abilities, and Experience:  

  • Proficient in speaking English and able to comprehend instructions in English; 
  • Ability to interact with the public in a respectful manner; 
  • Front-line, retail, or customer service experience is an asset;  
  • Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively within a team environment; 
  • Flexibility to support where needed in a dynamic environment; 
  • Efficiently complete tasks and meet deadlines to keep operations running smoothly; 
  • Ability to handle busy periods calmly and effectively; 
  • Ability to follow directions and work independently.    

Physical Abilities: 

  • Ability to stand for four hours; 
  • Capability to perform repetitive tasks; 
  • Ability to bend, lift, and twist safely up to 40 lbs. Lifting may be required depending on the task.  

 

Shift Times: 

  • Burnaby - Friday from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm  
  • Vancouver – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Thursday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Saturday from 9:15 am to 12:30 pm, 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm 

Agency Market Support

Support the GVFB community markets by staging, date checking and reorganizing the dry, fresh, and frozen shelves.

Agency Market Support

Support the Agencies team at one of our community markets! Volunteers help restock the markets during and after pick-ups to ensure shelves are filled with a variety of fresh, frozen, and pantry products.    

Locations:  

  • 3454 Lougheed Hwy, Vancouver 
  • 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby 

Responsibilities: 

  • Quality check and sort perishable (fresh) and non-perishable (dry) deliveries before restocking shelves;
  • Efficiently organize food to ensure proper placement and easy access;
  • Rotate items based on first in, first out (FIFO) method;
  • Ensure areas are well stocked and merchandised to GVFB standards;
  • Sweep and clean the facility to maintain GVFB standards;
  • Monitor parking lot and provide directions to Agencies and vehicles as needed
  • Recycle packaging and compost spoiled food.

Required Skills, Abilities, and Experience: 

  • Ability to follow directions and complete tasks in a timely manner; 
  • Flexibility to support where needed in a dynamic environment; 
  • Confident in completing tasks independently with minimal supervision. 

Physical Requirements: 

  • Ability to stand for two to four hours (depending on shift length); 
  • Ability to periodically work in a cooler and freezer (adequate jackets and gloves are provided); 
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 40 lbs safely. 

Age Requirement: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. 

Shift times: 

  • Vancouver – Monday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm 
  • Burnaby – Monday from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 

Warehouse Support

Experience an active warehouse where every day is different! Volunteers support the day-to-day operations by processing food donations, palletizing orders, light cleaning, and so much more!

Warehouse Support

Experience an active warehouse where every day is different! Volunteers support with day-to-day operations by processing food donations, palletizing orders, light cleaning, and so much more!

We are looking for Warehouse Support volunteers to help with a wide variety of tasks that focus on processing donations, palletizing orders, and light cleaning. This is a dynamic role that can change to meet our daily operational needs. 

Location: 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby 

Responsibilities:  

  • Quality check and sort perishable (fresh) and non-perishable (dry) donations;  
  • Pack sorted donations into boxes;  
  • Palletizing orders for deliveries;  
  • Recycle packaging and composting spoiled food;   
  • Follow composting procedures for organic and ReFeed bins;  
  • Organize and repackage sleeves of diapers for orders;  
  • Dust the racking and clean (sweep and mop) the floor to ensure functional areas are clean;  
  • Understanding and following safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment;  
  • Assist with other warehouse-related duties as assigned by Sort Associates.   

Required Skills, Abilities, and Experience: 

  • Ability to work in a noisy environment, active machinery will be present during the shift;  
  • Attention to detail is required for identifying expired or spoiled items;  
  • Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively within a team environment; 
  • Flexibility to support where needed in a dynamic environment; 
  • Efficiency in completing tasks and meeting deadlines to keep operations running smoothly.  

Physical Requirements: 

  • Ability to stand for three hours;  
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 30 lbs safely; 
  • Contact volunteer@foodbank.bc.ca to discuss accommodations.   

Age Requirement: Volunteers must be at least 15 years old 

Shift times: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Testimonials