The Basics

When can I volunteer?

All our volunteer shifts are posted online. We are not able to schedule special or last minute shifts for groups. View our Event Listing and Registration page to view our available shifts, here.

Do I need to register in advance as a volunteer?

• If you would like to register as an individual (or a group of four or less), click here.
• If you would like to register a group of 5 or more, click here.
• If you would like to register as a court-mandated volunteer, click here.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

• For Senior Box Build, Mobile Food Pantries, and Salmon Can Labeling events, volunteers must be 10 years or older.
• For Food Reclamation, volunteers must be 14 years or older.
• Youth ages 10-15 must be accompanied by a parent or adult. Youth 16 and older do not need adult supervision to volunteer. We are unable to have volunteers younger than 10 years old due to safety concerns. Adult supervisors are responsible for ensure their youth are staying on task and behaving appropriately.

What should I wear/bring?

Closed-toe and closed-heeled shoes are mandatory. Heels, sandals, and flip flops are not allowed. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Bring layers and a water bottle. Please leave valuables, purses, or backpacks in your vehicle for your safety and security. Food Bank of Alaska is not responsible for lost and/or stolen items brought into our facilities.

Do I need to wear a face mask?

Masks are optional for all volunteers at indoor events, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are not required for volunteers at outdoor Mobile Food Pantry events.

What do I once I arrive?

Enter through the main entrance. Please sign in online or on the sign-in sheet. Follow the arrows to the volunteer area.

What if I’m not capable of performing the volunteer task?

Volunteers should be in relatively good health to perform tasks that may be physically demanding. Tasks may involve walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, and reaching. It is your responsibility to know your limitations. If you have physical or mental limitations, or if you feel uncomfortable performing a certain task, please let your supervisor know. We would be happy to find a job that better fits your abilities or interests.

Can I volunteer for my community services hours for my school, church, etc.?

Yes, our staff will be able to send documentation showing your volunteer activity.

What if I have a complaint, concern or question?

We encourage you to reflect on and evaluate your experience and give us feedback. If you have ideas, suggestions, or complaints, please fill out the Volunteer Survey that is emailed to you after you complete your shift. You may also contact volunteer@foodbankofalaska.org.

Registration

I’m on the waitlist. What happens next?

If other volunteers cancel their registration and a spot becomes available for you, the system will immediately register and add you to the official roster. You will receive an email notification confirming your full registration, and no action is required on your part. If a spot becomes available for you the day of the event, you will NOT be automatically added to the roster due to the short notice.

Please do not attend the event if you are still on the waitlist.

It is your responsibility to keep track of your waitlist status. If you are added to the official roster from the waitlist, it is your responsibility to either attend the event or cancel your registration ASAP.

What if I can’t attend the volunteer event?

If you are unable to attend, please make sure to cancel your registration at least 24 hours in advance of the activity to open up a spot for another volunteer. Our volunteer events often have several waitlisted individuals waiting for a spot, and we need full volunteer shifts to efficiently feed thousands of Alaskans. There is a link to cancel registration in this email, or you can cancel registration on our website. If you need to cancel the day of the event, please email volunteer@foodbankofalaska.org.

What if a volunteer event is cancelled?

If a volunteer event is cancelled due to inclement weather, all volunteers will receive an email and a phone call/voicemail notifying them of the cancellation as soon as possible. In the event that Anchorage School District closes due to inclement weather or unsafe roads, Food Bank of Alaska volunteer events will also close for the day. Food Bank of Alaska does not close if only Mat-Su schools are closed. For event cancellations for other reasons, volunteers will be notified by email at least a week in advance.

What if I don’t have an email address to register online?

Volunteers are required to have an email address to create their account on CERVIS, our volunteer sign-up platform. Volunteers are unable to volunteer if they do not have an email address. Youth volunteers’ profiles are allowed to use the email address of their parents or another adult

What if I’m having trouble signing into my CERVIS account?

Please email volunteer@foodbankofalaska.org with your full name, the email address associated with the account, and a description of the issue.