Click here to view our new volunteer video!

According to the Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer was calculated at $20.25 an hour for Illinois in 2008. According to Northern Illinois Food Bank, the value of a volunteer is priceless!

Without the 55,000 plus hours of volunteer help each year, NIFB would be unable to distribute over 22.5 million pounds of food annually.  This time translates into over $1 million!

Whether you are looking for a one-time volunteer opportunity for a group of 30 or an ongoing opportunity for yourself, Northern Illinois Food Bank needs your help. The Food Bank has an array of volunteer opportunities at each of our facilities.

Headquarters
St. Charles - 630.443.6910

·  Current Volunteer Opportunities 

·  Individual Volunteer Intake Form

·  Group Volunteer Intake Form

Branches
Lake County Branch - Park City - 847.336.3663

·  Current Volunteer Opportunities 

·  Individual Volunteer Intake Form

·  Group Volunteer Intake Form

Rockford Area Branch (Formerly Hunger Connection) - Rockford - 815.961.7283

·  Current Volunteer Opportunities 

·  Individual Volunteer Intake Form

·  Group Volunteer Intake Form

Check out our Volunteer Newsletter Birds of a Feather

 
Some things to remember when volunteering at any NIFB locations:


To Get Started

• Volunteers need to sign up in advance so that Food Bank has the appropriate projects ready.

• Contact the Food Bank to find out our availability & schedule your volunteer shift.

• St. Charles and Lake County Branch call 630-443-6910 or      e-mail volunteer

• For Rockford Branch call 815-961-7283 or e-mail volunteer

• Complete the individual/group intake form and return it to the Food Bank.

• Please arrive at the Food Bank 10-15 minutes early for your first shift.

Age Restriction

• All volunteers must be 14 years of age and older, excluding Youth Shifts, in which children must be 3rd grade and older. NIFB requires that there is at least one adult per every five youths during specific dates which have been set aside for Youth Shifts.

Safety

• Any onsite volunteer projects will take place in a warehouse environment. For your safety and the safety of those in your group, please wear low, sturdy, close-toed shoes and comfortable, casual clothing (jeans, shorts, t-shirts are appropriate). Do not wear short shorts, halter tops, sandals, or flip-flops. Please wear some kind of rubber-soled shoes for your safety. All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes! You will not be permitted to work in the warehouse without them.




• Please do not play on or use any equipment without proper training from a NIFB staff member. Volunteers are not authorized to use power driven machinery unless they have received training through NIFB. Individual and group volunteers should not wander around the warehouse unsupervised. NIFB asks that volunteers refrain from throwing objects or running in the warehouse.




• No food or beverages, other than water, are allowed in the warehouse.

Personal Valuables

• Due to lack of storage space, we ask that you leave valuable items at home or in your car before arriving to volunteer.

On April 22, 2009, NIFB honored its volunteers at its annual banquet - Celebration of Caring XI. Click here to learn about the 2009 banquet and those volunteers receiving special recognition for their contributions to the fight against hunger.