Please check out these volunteer opportunities at the Capital Area Food Bank and join the enthusiastic team who work steadily to help us feed the hungry.
Mobile Marketplace
Mobile Marketplace is a monthly “farmers market” inspired distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables operated by the Capital Area Food Bank. Mobile Marketplaces target highly dense areas where heightened rates of food insecurity exist.
It’s more than just a food distribution. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet community service providers and watch a feature cooking demonstrations.
Grab some friends and volunteer. The Marketplaces take place on Saturdays, 8:30am – 12:00pm. Up to 45 volunteers are needed per shift.
Please visit the online volunteer calendar to sign up. Or, contact Lesley Burkhalter at lburkhalter@capitalareafoodbank.org.
Interested in sponsoring a Mobile Marketplace? Please contact Ella Daniels at edaniels@capitalareafoodbank.org.
Upcoming Marketplaces:
DC Mobile Marketplace
June 7, 2014
L Street NW, Between New Jersey Ave NW and First Ave NW Washington, DC 20001
Our Maryland Mobile Marketplace
June 21, 2014
3600 Brightseat Road Landover, Maryland 20785
Our Northern Virginia Mobile Marketplace
June 28, 2014
12125 Pinecrest Road Reston, Virginia 20190
Neighborhood Captains
Help end hunger, one neighborhood at a time by becoming a Neighborhood Captain.
Captains are needed to help organize neighborhood food drives, represent the food bank at neighborhood events, round up friends and co-workers to volunteer, and suggest other ways neighborhoods can help CAFB end hunger.
Visit the Neighborhood Captain webpage to learn more!For those that are interested in signing up, please fill out an online form here. If you have any questions, contact Lesley Burkhalter at lburkhalter@capitalareafoodbank.org.
Volunteering at the DC Distribution Center
Help in the Capital Area Food Bank’s DC distribution center at 4900 Puerto Rico Ave. NE by packing and sorting food donations and working in the Agency Mart.
Volunteers ages 14 and up may participate. However, volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteer shifts are available from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Please click here to learn more and sign up.
Urban Demonstration Garden
The Capital Area Food Bank Urban Demonstration Garden creates an opportunity for volunteers to participate in the mission of the Food Bank in new and exciting ways. Volunteers play a crucial role in building and growing the garden. This project includes a wide variety of tasks associated with creating the infrastructure of the garden like digging, building, painting, planting and getting your hands dirty. This is a great opportunity for individuals and groups interested in volunteering outside and in helping bring the food bank’s Urban Demonstration Garden to life!
If you would like to sign-up for a garden shift, please look for “CAFB Garden Building” on the volunteer calendar here. If you have any questions about volunteering in the garden, please contact MJ Crom at mjcrom@capitalareafoodbank.org.
Skilled Volunteer Opportunities/ Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Produce for Kids Volunteer Leader
The Food Bank’s Weekend Bag program provides bags of groceries to children and teens to take home for meals on the weekends. CAFB is seeking Weekend Leaders to lead small groups of volunteers to pack fresh produce bags on Saturdays. You will be responsible for training and leading small groups of volunteers during the activity. If you are interested in this position, please contact Michael McRae at mmcrae@capitalareafoodbank.org.
Food Drives
As the weather warms up, food donations drop. Summertime at the Capital Area Food Bank is what we refer to as our “slow season.” Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take a break in the summer. In fact, a lot of pantries see an increase in clients during the summer as children are unable to receive free meals at school. A food drive is a great activity to organize during these months and a great way to get involved with the Capital Area Food Bank. Plus, the more collected, the more work for volunteers. Organize a food drive and then grab a group of friends to come sort the food in the DC or NOVA warehouse!