Basics

Thank you for your desire to join us in our mission to fight hunger. The Atlanta Community Food Bank relies on more than 15,000 volunteers every year. Individual volunteers and volunteer groups lend support to our day-to-day operations as well as helping to staff special events and other opportunities. Please visit our “Groups” or “Individuals” tabs above to find the perfect volunteer task for your needs and “register your interest” to let us know which projects might work best for you. We’ll respond within 2 or 3 business days to discuss scheduling for you or your group. 

Guidelines

Volunteers must be at least 8 years old to work in the Product Rescue Center and Community Gardens projects, at least 16 years old to work in the Kids in Need project, and at least 18 to work in any of ACFB’s other volunteer opportunities.

  • Chaperone requirements - Chaperones must participate as volunteers with youth under age 18. One adult chaperone is needed for every:
    • Four children ages 10 and under
    • Six children ages 11-13
    • Ten children ages 14-17
  • Required Attire – all volunteers must wear closed toe shoes to participate in any project unless otherwise indicated.
  • Group Size – Volunteers are asked not to exceed their reserved headcount. If you desire slots for additional volunteers, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to determine whether there is additional space available
  • Physical Requirements - Some projects may require standing for prolonged periods of time or light to heavy lifting. Please make sure to read the physical requirements for each volunteer task before signing up for a shift.
Sorting food in the Product Rescue Center is a volunteer favorite!
FAQ

Sign me up! I want to volunteer for ACFB. How do I get started?
The first step is to register your interest. This does not automatically sign you up, but it lets us know which project you are most interested in so that we can get the ball rolling. Once you register, we will contact you for next steps. Register your interest here. 

How many volunteers does ACFB need?
Approximately 1,500 volunteers assist us on a monthly basis, donating more than 9,000 hours per month.

Can I bring a group?
Our volunteer projects can accommodate groups of various sizes and can provide team-building opportunities.  

I want to volunteer, but I never know my schedule in advance. Can I just show up? 
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate walk-up volunteers. All ACFB volunteer shifts have a maximum capacity due to space and resource limitations. It is our goal to provide the best possible experience for each of our volunteers, so it is important for us to know in advance when you are coming in order to provide the supplies and supervision to get the job done.

Can children participate?
Yes! We love for your family, school or youth group to join us. Volunteering is a great way to teach children about service and spend some quality time with them. All children and youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

How many adults are needed for children/youth?
One adult chaperone is needed for every:

  • Four children ages 8-10
  • Six children ages 11-13
  • Ten children ages 14-17

What if I need to cancel?
Please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteers@acfb.org or 404-419-1727 as soon as possible (preferably at least a week in advance), so we can invite other volunteers to take your place. If you signed up to volunteer in our PRC through the online scheduling system at http://acfb.volunteerhub.com, you may cancel with three days advance notice.

What if more people want to come with my group than signed up?
Please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteers@acfb.org or 404-419-1727 as soon as possible to see if there is room available. We may already be full for that shift, and some or all of you may need to reschedule.

Can I come for just an hour or two?
Our projects are designed for specific time periods, so we ask that volunteers commit to the entire shift. For that reason, it's also very important that you arrive on time!

Is ACFB able to accommodate the specials needs of a handicapped or disabled person as a volunteer?
We are able to accommodate special needs, but we evaluate our ability to accommodate on a situation-by-situation basis. Please call 404-419-1727 to discuss your specific needs.

Can I use your conference rooms for meeting space before or after our project?
ACFB offers meeting space for a modest fee, based on availability. For more information on reserving a meeting room, please contact roomreservations@acfb.org.

Where can I eat nearby?
There are lots of restaurants in ACFB’s vicinity! To find and get more info on restaurants near our 30318 zip code, visit urbanspoon.com. 

How can I complete court-related community service hours?
Mandatory court-related service hours are tracked differently than our regular volunteer opportunities. Contact communityservice@acfb.org or 404.419.1730.

Groups

Community Gardens Project
Community gardening brings neighbors together and empowers people to supplement their food supply by growing it themselves. Community gardening stimulates social interaction, encourages self-reliance, truly beautifies neighborhoods and produces nutritious foods, while reducing family food budgets. Each garden is an autonomous neighborhood-based effort where friends share work and responsibility. ACFB provides gardening expertise, volunteer help, tools, seeds and more.

Volunteers are needed throughout the year to improve the quantity and quality of community gardens across metro Atlanta. No prior garden experience is needed – an ACFB gardening professional will be there to direct the group. Projects may include gardening, clean-up, plant rescue, plant shows or produce collection. Schedules are flexible from Monday through Saturday. Most projects last about three hours. This project is not appropriate for those who cannot do moderate lifting (20-40 lbs.) or stand for prolonged periods.

Product Rescue Center
Groups and individual volunteers come together to inspect, sort, and pack quality grocery donations in the Product Rescue Center (PRC). The PRC provides great hands-on experience in a diverse and social atmosphere. It's ideal for corporate, religious, school and civic groups as well as individuals, families and friends! Shifts are 2.5 to 3 hours long and are held year-round on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – Noon, 1-4:00 p.m. and 6 – 8:30 p.m. There are no evening shifts on Saturdays and no afternoon shift on Tuesdays.

This project is not appropriate for those who cannot do moderate lifting (20-40 lbs) or stand for prolonged periods. This project may require sorting of frozen or refrigerated items such as meats and dairy products. Gloves and aprons are provided on site for volunteers as needed.

Kids in Need
The Kids In Need project provides school supplies free of charge to teachers in low-income schools by inviting them to “shop” after school hours in our Kids in Need warehouse. Volunteer groups (5 minimum to 12 maximum) are needed to help with sorting and restocking inventory. Group volunteer projects can be scheduled on Mondays or Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.   

Special Events
Our special event volunteers have the opportunity to help at a wide spectrum of events benefiting ACFB – everything from greeting guests at prestigious social galas to collecting donations at a Major League Baseball game, or helping at our annual Hunger Walk/Run! With some exceptions, most special event volunteer opportunities are offered on weeknights or weekends. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
ACFB’s Atlanta Prosperity Campaign organizes the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing free tax preparation services to qualified working families in metro Atlanta. To provide this service, we need hundreds of volunteers during the tax season (January – April) each year. No prior experience in preparing taxes is required - you do not need to be an accountant or a financial wiz to volunteer! VITA offers flexible volunteer hours (opportunities available on weekdays, weeknights and weekends). All you need is a desire to help families on the road to financial stability. If you volunteer with the APC, you will receive professional training, including all software programs used. Get full details on becoming a VITA volunteer.  

Ready to get started? Please review the projects. Click on “Register your Interest” on the top right side of the webpage to let us know which projects might work best for you. We’ll respond via email within 2 or 3 business days to discuss scheduling for your group. 

Individuals

Product Rescue Center
Groups and individual volunteers come together to inspect, sort, and pack quality grocery donations in the Product Rescue Center (PRC). The PRC provides great hands-on experience in a diverse and social atmosphere. It's ideal for corporate, religious, school and civic groups as well as individuals, families and friends! Shifts are 2.5 to 3 hours long and are held year-round on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – Noon, 1-4:00 p.m. and 6 – 8:30 p.m. There are no evening shifts on Saturdays and no afternoon shift on Tuesdays.

This project is not appropriate for those who cannot do moderate lifting (20-40 lbs.) or stand for prolonged periods. This project may require sorting of frozen or refrigerated items such as meats and dairy products. Gloves and aprons are provided on-site for volunteers as needed.

Returning individual volunteers can visit our volunteer hub to sign up for a PRC shift.

Kids in Need
The Kids In Need project provides school supplies free of charge to teachers in low-income schools by inviting them to “shop” after school hours in our Kids in Need warehouse. Individuals assist teachers with the shopping process, and also help to restock the store. This project is not appropriate for those who cannot do moderate lifting (20-40 lbs.) or stand for prolonged periods.

Kids in Need volunteers are asked to make an ongoing commitment to a 3 hour shift either weekly or bi-weekly for one or more semesters. There are two semesters each year, August - December and January - May. (Volunteers can start at any point during the school year.)

Restocking shifts are held each Tuesday – Friday from 9 a.m. to Noon. Teacher Assistant shifts run Mondays thru Thursdays, 3 – 5:30 p.m., Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and one Saturday per month from 8:45 to noon or 1 – 4 p.m.

Administrative Volunteers
The Food Bank values the support of adult volunteers in our administrative offices. Office volunteers typically volunteer with some frequency (weekly or monthly), usually for shifts of 2-3 hours, Monday - Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Administrative volunteer tasks include, but are not limited to, data entry, organizing and filing.

Special Events
Our special event volunteers have the opportunity to help at a wide spectrum of events benefiting ACFB – everything from greeting guests at prestigious social galas to collecting donations at a Major League Baseball game, or helping at our annual Hunger Walk/Run! With some exceptions, most special event volunteer opportunities are offered on weeknights or weekends.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
ACFB’s Atlanta Prosperity Campaign organizes the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing free tax preparation services to qualified working families in metro Atlanta. To provide this service, we need hundreds of volunteers during the tax season (January – April) each year. No prior experience in preparing taxes is required - you do not need to be an accountant or a financial wiz to volunteer! VITA offers flexible volunteer hours (opportunities available on weekdays, weeknights and weekends). All you need is a desire to help families on the road to financial stability. If you volunteer with the APC, you will receive professional training, including all software programs used. Get full details on becoming a VITA volunteer.

Ready to get started? Please review the projects. Click on “Register your Interest” on the top right side of the webpage to let us know which projects might work best for you. We’ll respond via email within 2 or 3 business days to discuss scheduling.

Special Events

Volunteering at Special Events and Opportunities
Our special event volunteers have the chance to help at a wide spectrum of events benefiting ACFB – everything from greeting guests at prestigious social galas to collecting donations at a Major League Baseball game, or helping at our annual Hunger Walk/Run! With some exceptions, most special event volunteer opportunities are offered on weeknights or weekends. 

If you need more information after reading the below information, contact ACFB Volunteer Department at volunteers@acfb.org.

After carefully reviewing all volunteer opportunities, please click the button below to register your intent and interests for volunteering at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Make sure to list the name of the event(s) which interest you in the Additional Comments section of the survey. 

Register Your Interest

1)  Collect Food and Funds from Atlanta Braves fans at the "Strike Out Hunger" food drive
Strike Out Hunger is a food-and-fund raiser benefiting the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Baseball fans coming to Turner field may  bring 20 cans of food or $20 in cash and receive a signed autograph of an Atlanta Braves player! Volunteers are needed to facilitate the donation process preceding the game
 
Dates:  Friday evenings
May 3, 17 and 31
June 17, 28
July 12, 26
August 9, 16, 30
September 13, 27
 
Times:  Volunteers report at 4:30 pm and conclude at 7:15 pm. Volunteers are required to be present for the entire shift.
Volunteer Task: Volunteers will take bags of cans from donors and place into food drive barrels, distribute tickets for the donations, and help with crowd control.
Skills Needed/Age Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers will be working outside and should be able to stand for 3 hours and lift at least 30 lbs.
# of Volunteers Needed : 2 per shift
 
2) Collect Food and track donations from competing law firms at the Atlanta Community Food Bank's "Legal Food Frenzy"
The Georgia Legal Food Frenzy is a statewide food and fund drive to benefit the seven food banks of the Georgia Food Bank Association. Last year, Atlanta area law firms in our service area who participated in this friendly competition raised $107,509.43 and collected 20,738 pounds of food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to accept the donations throughout the week of the event.
 
Dates: Monday - Friday, May 6 - May 10
Times: 9:30 am to 12:30, and 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Volunteers may sign up for one or more shift.
Location: Atlanta Community Food Bank, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Volunteer Task: Volunteers will be accepting drive-in food drive donations, matching up donor receipts and assisting ACFB staff in fund collection.
Skills Needed/Age Requirements: Volunteers are required who can be  friendly, professional and courteous to our food donors, also detail oriented. Ability to operate handcart and to lift up to 30 lbs is helpful but not absolutely necessary. Volunteers may be 16 years and older, but all volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent. 
# of Volunteers Needed: 2 per shift

 

If you are seeking volunteer hours in connection to any court-related matter or if you have been advised or sentenced to perform community service for a misdemeanor or legal violation, you are required to go through a screening and orientation prior to volunteering with ACFB.

You are eligible to be a part of our court-related community service program provided you meet the following criteria:

  • You are at least 18 years old.
  • Your charge is not related to sex, violence, weapon possession or any form of theft.
  • You have been assigned or requested to perform at least 40 hours of service.
  • You attend a mandatory Community Service Volunteer Orientation prior to serving any of your required hours.  When you report for orientation you must bring proof of your charge, written documentation from the probation officer, counselor, attorney or other official, including phone numbers, fax numbers and other contact information.

If you have any further questions about our court-related community service program, or would like to schedule your orientation, contact communityservice@acfb.org or 404.419.1730. Orientations are usually conducted on Friday afternoons.