Community Group Volunteer FAQs

What qualifies as a community group?  

Any not-for-profit club, school, association, or organization. For example: school classes or clubs, alumni associations, non–profit employees or clients, any religious organization, sports teams, service clubs, etc. 

My group is interested in volunteering at one of the above projects. How do I reserve spots?  

Complete the Community Group inquiry form, and a Volunteer Programs team member will respond within three business days. 

Once spots are reserved, what responsibilities do group volunteers have during the registration process?  

Volunteers must complete their online registration (which includes creating a volunteer profile on our Civicore platform) at least two weeks in advance of their shift. Any open spots remaining after the two-week mark will be released to the general public so we can ensure the program has an adequate number of volunteers.  

Beyond minimum age and chaperones, are there additional requirements for youth volunteers?  

Yes, all volunteers under 18 must have a legal guardian sign and submit a waiver and release form before their shift.  

Are City Harvest Field Trips available for children aged 10+ years and older?  

No, our Field Trips are reserved for children too young to participate in our weekly Repack shifts.  

Are City Harvest volunteer projects accessible for volunteers with diverse abilities?  

City Harvest strives to provide the best possible experience for all of our volunteers. Should you or your group members require any special accommodations to carry out volunteer tasks, please include them in your inquiry form. We are able to offer the most support at our Repacks, as they take place at our Food Rescue Center.   

How do I travel to the volunteer site? 

Sites vary, but all are accessible via mass transit. Use Google Maps to plan your trip the night before and check the MTA website for any service changes or delays the day you will be volunteering. We encourage you to plan your travel in advance, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. 

Is timing flexible? 

Most volunteer opportunities last 2-3.5 hours, and we ask that you arrive on time and stay until the activity is over and you are dismissed by City Harvest staff. The dates and times of all our projects are scheduled to meet the needs of our neighbors in need. Repacks take place on Tuesday and Thursday morning and afternoons, and Mobile Markets take place one weekday morning and one Saturday morning a month. 

What should I wear and bring? 

Since most volunteers are working with food, please wear comfortable, closed-toe athletic shoes (no flip flops, ballet flats or sandals). Please also wear casual clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. Dress for the weather, tie long hair back, and avoid loose jewelry. With the exception of Repacks, storage is minimal at our volunteer sites and we ask that you bring few personal items with you.

Is heavy lifting involved? 

We suggest that all volunteers feel comfortable lifting at least 15 pounds for Repacks and Mobile Markets, and at least 30 pounds for Greenmarket Rescues.  

Will the project be cancelled because of weather? 

All of our volunteer events happen rain, snow, or shine! In the rare event that a project is cancelled due to inclement weather, volunteers will be notified by City Harvest staff or your volunteer leader.