Volunteer
UPDATE: Volunteer Applications on Pause
Due to overwhelming community support, we are temporarily pausing acceptance of new volunteer applications at South Portland Food Cupboard.
All submitted applications will remain on file, and our team will reach out once additional volunteer opportunities become available- particularly as we transition to our new location in the coming months.
Looking for more ways to get involved in the meantime? Consider organizing a food drive, hosting a fundraiser, or collecting donations to help us continue feeding and caring for our neighbors.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our mission to Feed Neighbors in Need.
Volunteers are the heart of the South Portland Food Cupboard. By giving your time and energy, you help ensure that local families and individuals have access to nutritious food when they need it most. Whether you're stocking shelves, assisting with food distribution, or helping with special events, every hour you spend with us makes a difference in our community.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, ages*, and skill levels—join us in the fight against hunger and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive impact! Our motto for volunteers is: "Come when you can; leave when you need."We appreciate every moment you can give!
*We ask that volunteers 16 years and under have an adult present with them when volunteering.
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Thank you for your interest in volunteering at South Portland Food Cupboard! We rely on volunteers like you to help us serve our community! After applying to volunteer and getting approved by our team, you will get an onboarding email which allow you to sign up for a shift. We use SignUpGenius to make it easy for you to choose a time that works with your schedule.
To ensure all volunteers are familiar with our mission and safety guidelines, we require each volunteer to complete a Volunteer Application and go through a brief training/orientation on their first day. After, you will then be paired with a volunteer who will be able to guide you further and answer any questions you might have.
What does volunteering look like?
Volunteer opportunities at the South Portland Food Cupboard (SPFC) are available throughout the week, with designated hours to fit a variety of schedules. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, on Saturdays from 7:30 am to 9:30 am, and Sundays from 6:30 am to 9:00 am.
Food Rescue efforts take place every day of the week, involving pickup, cleaning, and processing of donations. Mondays focus on pickup, cleaning, and preparation, while Tuesdays include food pickup, processing, and public food distribution from 10:30 am to noon, with recipients welcome to come weekly. Wednesdays are dedicated to pickup, processing, and preparation for upcoming distributions, including an evening distribution on the first Wednesday of each month (5:00–6:30 pm) for those unable to attend on Thursdays. Additionally, food deliveries occur on the second Wednesday morning of each month. Thursdays host a morning distribution from 8:30 to 11:00 am. Fridays and Saturdays continue with pickup and processing, while Sundays involve early pickup and putting food away. Van drivers and helpers should be ready to depart SPFC by 6:30 am each day to ensure timely operations.
Ready to sign up?
New Volunteers
Can recipients of food also volunteer?
Current food recipients are welcome and encouraged to volunteer at SPFC, with the simple requirement that they do not volunteer on distribution days—making Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays ideal options.
Volunteer Roles
Volunteer Van Driver and Helper
As a Van Driver or Helper, you will play a vital role in ensuring food is collected from local donors and transported to our facility for distribution to those in need.
Key Responsibilities
Van Driver:
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Safely operate a van to pick up food donations from local grocery stores, food banks, farms, and other donors.
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Ensure food is handled carefully and transported in a timely manner to the Food Cupboard.
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Assist with loading, unloading, and initial weighing of food items from the van.
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Perform basic maintenance checks on the van, such as checking fuel levels, tire pressure, and cleanliness.
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Follow all traffic and safety regulations while driving.
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Communicate any issues or delays to the Executive Director/Operations Manager.
Helper:
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Assist the Van Driver with loading and unloading food donations.
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Ensure food is handled with care to prevent damage or spoilage.
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Sort and organize food items upon arrival at the Food Cupboard facility.
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Work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff to ensure smooth operations.
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Maintain a clean and organized workspace in the van and at the Food Cupboard.
Qualifications
For Van Drivers:
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Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
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Experience driving cargo vans or large vehicles is a plus but not required.
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Able to lift and carry boxes of food weighing up to 40 lbs.
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Good communication skills and a positive attitude.
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Must be punctual, reliable, and able to follow directions.
For Helpers:
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No prior experience required, but physical ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs is necessary.
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Ability to work well in a team environment and follow instructions.
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Willingness to learn about food safety and proper handling procedures.
Key Responsibilities:
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Food Sorting: Sort and inspect food donations, ensuring all items meet quality standards (e.g., checking expiration dates, ensuring no damaged packaging, etc.).
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Food Packaging: Assist with packing food items into boxes or bags for distribution to individuals and families. Organize food items in a way that is safe and easy to transport.
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Distribution Support: Help distribute food to clients during distribution days. Ensure clients receive the correct amount and type of food based on the Food Cupboard's guidelines.
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Inventory Management: Assist with organizing and stocking shelves, refrigerators, and storage areas with incoming food items. Track inventory levels and notify staff when supplies are running low.
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Sanitization: Maintain a clean and organized workspace by sanitizing surfaces and equipment regularly, following food safety protocols.
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Recipient Interaction: Treat recipients with respect and dignity, helping to foster a welcoming and supportive environment during food distribution.
Food Processing and Distribution Volunteer
Qualifications:
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No prior experience is required, but an understanding of food safety and handling procedures is a plus.
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Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs (for food sorting, packaging, and stocking).
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Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment and perform repetitive tasks.
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Strong teamwork and communication skills.
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Reliable, punctual, and able to follow instructions.
Current Volunteers
Thank you so much for your continued dedication and support as a volunteer at the South Portland Food Cupboard! We truly appreciate everything you do to help our community. To keep you informed and make it easier for you to stay involved, we now have a Volunteer Portal—your one-stop spot for updates, SignUpGenius links, schedules, bulletin board posts, and more. We also send out weekly emails with key information and reminders. If you’re not receiving these emails, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the office by emailing info@southportlandfoodcupboard.org, and we’ll make sure you’re added to the list. We want to ensure you have all the info you need to continue making a difference!
Volunteer as a Group
Inquire today!
Volunteering as a group is a great way to make a meaningful impact at the South Portland Food Cupboard. We welcome organizations, businesses, schools, and community groups to come together and help with tasks like food sorting, packing, and distribution.
To ensure a smooth and rewarding experience for everyone, we ask that group volunteers contact us in advance to schedule a time that works best for your team. We can provide specific instructions on the tasks available, along with any necessary guidelines to ensure a productive day. Whether it's a one-time event or ongoing volunteer days, we’re here to make sure your group has a positive and impactful experience. If you’re interested in volunteering as a group, please reach out to us at info@southportlandfoodcupboard.org to arrange the details. We look forward to working with you to support our community!
Community Service
Community service at the South Portland Food Cupboard is an opportunity for individuals to complete court-appointed service hours while giving back to the community. If you need to fulfill these hours, we ask that you first call our office during office hours (Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 11:00 am) and request to speak with Dwayne Hopkins, our Executive Director. Dwayne will have a conversation with you to discuss the guidelines, expectations, and available tasks to ensure a smooth and productive experience.