Click here to view our new volunteer video!

According to the Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer was calculated at $20.85 an hour for Illinois in 2009. According to Northern Illinois Food Bank, the value of a volunteer is priceless!

Without the 75,000 plus hours of volunteer help each year, NIFB would be unable to distribute over 36.5 million pounds of food annually.  This time translates into over $1.5 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.

Click on the location you would prefer to volunteer at to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Headquarters

600 Industrial Drive
St. Charles, IL 60174

Lake County Branch
473 Keller Drive
Park City, IL 60085

Rockford Area Branch (Formerly Hunger Connection)
320 S. Avon St.
Rockford, IL 61102

Check out our Volunteer Newsletter Birds of a Feather
 
Things you should know about volunteering at NIFB:

How To Get Started

• Individuals Click Here

• Groups Click Here

• Once a volunteer shift is scheduled complete the Individual Intake Form (PDF or Word) or Group Intake Form (PDF or Word) and return it to the Food Bank.

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

Age Restrictions

• You must be at least 14 years of age to volunteer during our regular shifts. Individuals 8 years old or more are welcome to join our Youth Shifts or Youth Week. NIFB requires that there is at least one adult per every five youth. Youth shifts are held at all three locations on the 4th Saturday of the month (excluding November and December). In addition, the week leading up to the 4th Saturday is considered Youth Week. During this week, youth are welcome to join the regular 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, beverages (other than water), or I-Pods 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.