Special Skills (Interest-specific) Volunteering: Do you have other skills or experience to share with us that aren't listed here? Please let us know your area of interest and time availability. New volunteers are always welcome! Contact Us
Professional, Administrative, Clerical, and General Office volunteer opportunities that are currently available:
CalFresh (Food Stamps) Outreach Assistant
Location: Offices in both San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties
Supports: CalFresh Outreach team and Programs & Services Specialist
Description: CalFresh (Food Stamps) is significantly underutilized in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties by our lowest income community members — help us change that! The CalFresh Outreach Office Assistant will assist Outreach Specialists and the Program Manager in providing low income families and individuals information about the CalFresh program. The CalFresh Outreach Assistant will make copies, assist with calendaring, assist with faxing and data entry, and assist field staff with replenishing outreach materials in outreach kits. Training will be provided about Food Bank programs, the CalFresh program and how to track and report data.
Hours: 3-20 hours weekly. Flexible 3-5 hour shifts between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Volunteer positions with CalFresh Outreach require a commitment of 3 hours per week for a minimum of 2 months.
Qualifications:
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Comfortable with general office work, Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
- Comfortable working with a diverse population
Contact:
Nicole Rivas, Food Stamp Outreach Manager
phone: (408) 266-8866 x294
email: nrivas@shfb.org
Administrative Support
Location: San Carlos Distribution Center OR San Jose Distribution Center
Supports: Office Manager
Description: Office Manager is seeking a volunteer that can help 4 + hours per work week and make a commitment of at least a year. Current need is to answer phones, greet visitors, and support general office projects. Hours and times are flexible — anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Prefer 9-1pm or 1-5pm shifts Monday through Friday. Fun and meaningful environment!
Contact:
Claudia Zahnd, Office Manager
phone: (408) 266-8866 x 234
email: czahnd@shfb.org
Agency Relations Monitor
Location: San Carlos Distribution Center
Supports: Agency Relations Manager
Hours: Flexible (monitoring a site takes from .5 to 2 hours depending upon type of agency)
Purpose: Assist the Agency Relations Manager in inspecting the cooking, storage, and food preparation areas of our partnering agencies facilities. After some basic training in Food Bank policy and documentation, you will schedule and perform monitors independently.
Qualifications: A background in food preparation, nutrition, or food safety is an asset. Enjoy working with diverse groups of people.
Contact:
Mark Kokoletsos, Agency Relations Manager
phone: (650) 610-0800 x 402
email: mkokoletsos@shfb.org
Agency Relations Assistance
Second Harvest and its partner agencies share a mutually beneficial relationship. Central to this is Second Harvest Food Bank's ability to serve low-income individuals and families by providing food to our Partner Agencies, who in turn rely on Second Harvest for a portion of the food they provide to clients. Our partner agencies range from tiny neighborhood faith-based organizations to large organizations such as the Salvation Army or Boys and Girls Clubs. Food is distributed through a range of distribution methods including delivery, on-line ordering, "shopping" at our Curtner or Bing Centers, and at field locations in the community. Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways with the distribution of food both at our warehouses and out at field sites. Listed below are several opportunities to connect with Second Harvest, our partner agencies, and clients that receive food.
Agency Check Out Volunteer
Assist partner agency representatives: Help agencies make food selections, check food orders for accuracy, provide assistance in assuring that the agency "shopping" area is neat and orderly, restocking shelves with food supplies, verify food selections are accurately documented on agency orders, and promote nutrition education resources.
Location: Curtner Center (750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125)
Time: Weekly (volunteer a minimum of 1 shift per week ideally for a minimum of at least 3 months)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00am - 12:00pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Requirements:
- Ability to read and write English
- Like to work with people
- Strong customer service aptitude
- Willingness to work as a team member and independently
- Ability to stand with limited bending
- Minimum of 18 years of age
Contact: Shirley Chang at 408-266-8866 ext. 272
Agency Customer Service Representative
Assist with greeting partner agency representatives and checking in when they arrive at Second Harvest's Curtner Center. Verify "authorized shopper" status. Assist with food order paperwork. Inform them of special offerings and nutrition resources. Some light data entry and filing.
Location: Curtner Center (750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125)
Time: Weekly (volunteer a minimum of 1 shift per week ideally for a minimum of at least 3 months)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00am - 12:00pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Requirements:
- Light computer entry skills (willing to teach)
- Ability to read and write English
- Like to work with people.
- Strong customer service aptitude
- Willingness to work as a team member and independently
- Ability to stand
- Minimum of 18 years of age
Contact: Shirley Chang at 408-266-8866 ext. 272
Agency Produce Hub Volunteer
Assist partner agency representatives: Help make produce selections, check that food orders are accurate verifing that they have accurately documented their food selections and provide assistance in assuring that the agency "shopping" area is neat and orderly.
Locations:
- Curtner Center (750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125)
- field site located in Central San Jose
- Bing Center (1051 Bing Street, San Carlos, CA 94070)
- field sites located across San Mateo County
Times: Weekly (volunteer a minimum of 1 shift per week ideally for a minimum of at least 3 months)
| Day |
Time (SHFB site) |
Time (Field site) |
| |
| Mon |
|
Daly City: 8:30-10:00 AM
Half Moon Bay: 12:00-1:30 PM |
| |
| Tue |
Curtner Center: 7:30 AM-Noon |
San Mateo: 8:30-10:30 AM
Menlo Park: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM |
| |
| Wed |
Curtner Center: 7:30 AM-Noon
Bing Center: 12:30-3:00 PM |
|
| |
| Thu |
|
Central San Jose: 7:30-10:00 AM |
| |
| Fri |
Bing Center: 7:30 AM-Noon |
|
Requirements:
- Ability to read and write English
- Like to work with people
- Strong customer service aptitude
- Willingness to work as a team member and independently
- Ability to stand with limited bending
- Minimum of 18 years of age
Contact: Tometrius Paxton at 408-266-8866 ext. 241