There are volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities! Please read below to see which opportunities might fit for you, your family, and any friends you want to bring along. Volunteers will be trained on the day of the event. Volunteers for Registration and Traffic Flow will receive additional instructions in advance. The questions below collect your preferences so we can best match you with the appropriate volunteer position.
Registration - Vehicles (5 volunteers) 6:45 AM arrival
- This position is on a team that walks among the vehicles to collect information (e.g., household size, veteran status) from the families to enter into the Food Bank’s online portal to track distribution information. Volunteers will be trained on using the registration system and must use their own smartphone or other connected device to complete client registration. Registration of a household can be as fast as 30 seconds for existing Food Bank users, and up to a few minutes to capture the details of a new household.
- This is a physically active, outdoor volunteer position.
Registration - Walk-Ups (1-2 volunteers) 6:45 AM arrival
- This position will receive the same training and also use personal devices to complete client registration. These volunteers will be seated under the portico to collect client intake information for individuals coming to receive food on foot. Neighbors will line up in the breezeway by the office for the food distribution. If a neighbor arrives after the distribution has ended, these volunteers may assist the neighbor to find another SAFB distribution at a convenient time and location and assisting them with pre-registration if needed.
- This is a seated, outdoor volunteer position.
Traffic Flow (5 volunteers) 6:45 AM arrival
- This position will help direct traffic from Starcrest drive into the front parking lot. Vehicles will be parked in a specific pattern in the order they arrived. Once parked, the Registration volunteers will circulate among the vehicles to capture the household information in the Food Bank’s online database.
- This is a physically active, outdoor volunteer position. Volunteers must be 15 years of age or older.
Traffic Line Managers (2 volunteers) 6:00 AM arrival
- This position arrives very early onsite to help direct traffic for the first neighbors waiting in line along Starcrest drive. They will answer questions and help neighbors park in the right lane with their hazard lights on. They will help ensure that the entrances to neighboring apartment complexes and cross streets are not blocked. They will notify the event organizers if there are any issues in the line, such as a car with a dead battery or a neighbor needing early access to a restroom.
Loading (18 volunteers) 7:30 AM arrival
- These volunteers will bag produce and dry goods before the distribution and load cars during the distribution.
- This is a physically active, outdoor volunteer position. Volunteers must be 15 years of age or older. Volunteers need to be able to lift 25 lbs. bags of produce.
Box Breakdown (1-2 volunteers) 7:30 AM arrival
- These volunteers will bring boxes to the Walk-Up registration table or Brown Hall for reuse or break them down for disposal in our dumpsters. Adult volunteers may be asked to oversee or assist younger volunteers with these tasks.
- This is a physically active, outdoor volunteer position.
INDOOR/BROWN HALL POSITIONS
Volunteer Management (1 volunteer) 6:45 AM arrival
- This position assists all volunteers with signing in and out, getting a safety vest, storing their personal items in appropriate locations, and directing volunteers to water refill stations and restrooms. This volunteer will have a first aid kit and be a point of contact in case any volunteer issues arise.
Clothing Swap & Diaper Distribution (2-3 volunteers) 7:30 AM arrival
- These volunteers will assist with sorting and folding clothing to prepare Brown Hall for neighbors to come in and assist them find the items they need. Volunteers are needed for the night before the distribution to prepare the items and the day of the distribution to assist neighbors and with cleanup. On the day of the distribution, volunteers will assist with the distribution of diapers and hygiene products. Volunteers will replenish the stock of available hygiene and diaper items at regular intervals (e.g., hourly) to encourage equitable access to those items throughout the distribution.
- This is a seated, indoor volunteer position.
Hospitality - Brown Hall (1-2 volunteers) 7:30 AM arrival
- This volunteer position will welcome neighbors, explain how the clothing swap/diaper donation works, answer questions, take prayer requests, monitor restroom supplies and cleanliness. Periodically, these volunteers may also assist with advocacy efforts such as assisting neighbors to sign form letters to local officials on hunger relief legislation. These volunteers will also have support materials to use Google Translate if needed to assist a neighbor.
- This could be a seated or active, indoor volunteer position.
Hospitality - Outdoor Greeter (1-2 volunteers) 7:30 AM arrival
- This volunteer will be placed at the corner of the sidewalks between the sanctuary and Brown Hall to welcome neighbors, help direct neighbors to locations on campus, answer questions, and ensure that all children on the playground are accompanied by their guardian.
- This is an active, outdoor volunteer position.
Hospitality - SACRD (1-2 volunteers) 7:30 AM arrival
- This is a trained volunteer position that assists neighbors with finding resources in the San Antonio Community Resource Directory. To be eligible for this volunteer position, individuals must attend one of the monthly SACRD trainings by zoom. Volunteers will need a laptop for this position to assist neighbors with finding health, housing, employment, etc. resources for which they may be eligible.
- This is a seated, indoor volunteer position.
Water Crew (1-2 volunteers) 7:30 AM arrival
- These volunteers bring cups of water to volunteers and neighbors standing in line. They may also assist volunteers with filling their water bottles to ensure that everyone can safely participate in the event. This is an active, outdoor volunteer position.