BerkeleyCorps X Berkeley Food Network Service Day

Thank you for your interest in participating in our service day. This November service day kicks off BerkeleyCorps and Berkeley Food Network’s first official partnering event. Our goal is to offer BerkeleyCorps volunteers the opportunity to learn more about how food pantries operate locally and prepare food for our community before the Thanksgiving Holidays.

We are looking for a total of 15 volunteers (two shifts total), please see below for their task descriptions. This is a REGISTRATION-BASED event! Please register below for the desired shift. Waitlist is available once all shifts are filled.

No experience needed! The morning begins at 9:00am with a check-in, a light breakfast, and an introduction to Berkeley Food Network. Before starting their shift, all volunteers will be oriented and trained for their role. BFN staff will walk you through what to expect, key safety and food safety guidelines, and how to support community members with dignity, so you’ll feel prepared and confident from the start. 

Thank you for supporting Berkeley Food Network and our Berkeley community!

Food Sorting
 10 volunteers

Work hands-on and as a team to sort and prepare pallets of recovered food for distribution to community members in need. This shift is a great fit for volunteers passionate about reducing food waste and getting safe, healthy food to our community. Volunteers will be trained on BFN's food safety guidelines and will help compost any food BFN deems unsafe to eat or distribute.

Physical requirements: Must be able to lift 50 lbs., either independently or with a team-lift partner. Involves standing and bending throughout the shift.

9th Street Pantry 5 volunteers total

Cart Manager
 2 volunteers

Help members get their groceries to their car and ensure BFN's shopping carts make it back to the pantry. A great fit for volunteers who like being active and interacting directly with members.

Physical requirements: Involves walking, pushing, standing, bending, and lifting up to 30 lbs.

Restocker
 3 volunteers

Keep the Pantry's produce bins stocked and presentable as members shop our choice-based, free-grocery-store-style pantry. Assess inventory and quality, restock from the nearby backstock area on the dock, and sort produce according to BFN's food safety guidelines. Greet members and answer questions along the way.

Physical requirements: On your feet for most of the shift — standing, walking, bending, and occasionally lifting or co-lifting up to 50 lbs.

Berkeley Food Network (BFN)

BFN is the largest food recovery organization in Alameda County. For the last ten years, BFN has been fighting hunger in Berkeley and Albany using local, innovative, and non-stigmatizing approaches. Each week, we distribute healthy, high-quality, and fresh foods to 8,600 people at our pantries, home delivery programs, and through our network of 30 local organizations.

BerkeleyCorps

BerkeleyCorps is a new initiative from the Office of Mayor Adena Ishii, serving as a hub of neighborhood organizing resources and volunteer opportunities for Berkeley residents. BerkeleyCorps strives to address local challenges through service.