Emerging Leaders Network: Volunteer at the San Diego Food Bank

Join your fellow Emerging Leaders Network members for an evening of giving back to our community! We've reserved 25 spots for a hands-on volunteer shift at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, where we'll be sorting and packing food to help fight hunger right here in San Diego. No experience necessary — just bring your energy and a willingness to make a difference.
 

Warehouse Volunteer Tasks

Warehouse volunteers at the San Diego Food Bank engage in various crucial tasks that directly support our mission to serve the community. These tasks may include cleaning and packaging food, with the goal of providing clean, safe, and nutritious food to over 400,000 individuals and families each month. Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the efficiency and safety of our operations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Sorting and Bagging Produce for the Food Center and Distributions: responsible for sorting and bagging produce for the food center, ensuring that the items are properly organized and ready for distribution to those in need.
2. Assembling Food Packages for Programs:
   • Senior Programs: Many of the seniors we serve live at or near the poverty level and struggle to make ends meet. Volunteers help assemble 30-pound boxes containing nutritious food to ensure seniors can live with dignity during their golden years.
   • Food Assistance Program: Volunteers assist in packing food boxes for low-income families in San Diego County. Many of the families we support are working poor, with adults employed but unable to provide enough food for their children due to financial constraints.
3. Inspecting, Sorting, Packing, and Labeling Food Donations
   We receive food donations from community food drives, donors, food suppliers, and supermarkets. Volunteers help by checking expiration dates and Best Buy dates, inspecting food to ensure it meets our safety standards, sorting the items by category, and packing them for distribution to the community.
4. Post-Project Cleanup:
   After completing tasks, volunteers assist with cleanup to maintain a high level of safety and organization in our distribution center.

1. Click "Sign Up" for the Miramar Warehouse Evening Shift – Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.
2. Sign in to your existing Food Bank volunteer account, or create a new one:
   • Click "Create Account" in the top right corner
   • Set a username and password
   • Click "Next" when prompted for a join code (this does not apply to our group)
   • Select "I just want to volunteer"
   • Complete your personal information, accept the waiver, and click Submit
   • You'll be redirected back to the sign-up page — click "Sign Up" to complete your registration

• Everyone must register individually, including kids, family members, and guests. Unused spots will be released to the public one week before the event, so don't wait to sign up.
• Volunteers must be 16 or older to participate independently. Volunteers aged 11–15 may attend when accompanied by a registered adult (18+) at a ratio of 1 adult per 4 youth. Children under 11 are not permitted.
• Wear close-toed shoes. Open-toed footwear is not allowed.
• Plan to arrive by 5:50 PM. Volunteers arriving more than 10 minutes after the shift starts will not be admitted.
• Need to cancel, add volunteers, or adjust your group size? Email volunteer@sandiegofoodbank.org at least 7 days in advance.