Volunteer FAQs

Volunteers 17 and older can volunteer:

• Tuesday through Friday, 9am - 12pm
• Tuesday through Friday, 1pm - 4pm
• Saturday, 8:30am - 11:30am
• Saturday, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Volunteers should enter the building from the ramp at the back left-hand side of the building.

Note that we need volunteers to arrive a few minutes early to get parked and signed in to volunteer. Instructions are given at the beginning of every shift, and we need you to be here for them. During the weekdays we have a 15-minute grace period and Saturdays have a 10-minute grace period. If you arrive after that, you will need to reschedule and join us another time.

Youth ages 13 thru 16 years old can volunteer on Saturdays for Inspecting and Sorting and must be accompanied by an adult 21+ years of age. The adult must also complete a profile and be registered to volunteer with the youth.

We ask that you only sign up for ONE shift on a Saturday so we can accommodate as many people as possible. These spots tend to book up about 2-3 months in advance so please plan early. We often have a waitlist on Saturdays but do our best to clear everyone off the waitlist so feel free to add yourself to ONE shift per Saturday.

Youth ages 6-12 years old can volunteer once a month for Kids Backpack packing. This shift is only for kids 6-12 years old and their parents. Everyone who is volunteering must have a profile and be on the waitlist. If you are interested, create your profiles and add everyone to the waitlist. Our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you when we have availability.

Hours are tracked online so you can see the hours you have completed, and we are able to verify your hours for school or work anytime, and can also provide a letter each week at the end of the shifts (or at anytime) verifying your total hours.

Volunteers help us inspect and sort food or non-food products in our Charlotte warehouse that will get boxed and distributed to our partner agencies.

Occasionally we will also have shifts for these tasks, and they will be posted as needed:
-Senior Box Packing
-Senor Box Distribution
-Backpack Packing
-Packing Snack Packs

At certain times during the year we may have special events for which we need volunteers. Please let the volunteer coordinator know that you are interested in special events. If you have a special skill that you would like to offer, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Betsy Van Dyne, at bvandyne@secondharvestmetrolina.org.

Our instructions are given in English. If you believe that language will be a barrier to volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss options.

Yes, training will be at the start of your volunteer session. We ask that you arrive ten minutes before your shift so that you can sign-in and make a name tag and be ready at the start of your shift. Anyone arriving more than 15 minutes late on a weekday or 10 minutes late on a Saturday will be asked to reschedule to another date.

Our address is 500-B Spratt Street, Charlotte NC 28206.

Volunteers should enter the building from the ramp on the left-hand side of the building.

We can accommodate individual volunteers and groups of up to 20 people. Large groups may be divided up into 2 or 3 smaller groups depending on what projects are needed for that particular day.

On Saturdays, the largest group we can accommodate is 10 people, and at least 2 of the volunteers must be adults over 21 years old.

Yes we accept court ordered community service for ages 18+. Certain charges are an automatic disqualification and include but are not limited to: larceny, theft, forgery, breaking and entering, assault, drug charges, felonies and any violent or sexual offenses. We only accept speeding, reckless driving, and DWI charges. A copy of your court document or ticket stating your offense is required before you can start volunteering. An official letter for the court will not be given without going through the proper procedures. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Van Dyne at bvandyne@secondharvestmetrolina.org in advance to discuss or call 704-805-1712.

All volunteers must wear closed toe shoes. You will not be able to volunteer if you have sandals or flip flops on. Closed toe shoes are mandatory so we cannot accommodate volunteers with a cast, boot, or crutches for safety reasons.

You should wear comfortable clothes; shorts of respectable length are permitted but midriffs and crop tops are not permitted. A light jacket or sweatshirt may be needed in the cooler months.

Shifts include standing, bending and some light lifting (up to 20 pounds). Our main goal is safety so if you have an injury or recent surgery, please volunteer when you are 100% healthy and able to safely volunteer.

Please leave your valuables at home or locked in your car as we do not have lockers or a secure spot to store your things.

Yes, however we need to evaluate all situations individually as safety is our main concern. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Van Dyne at bvandyne@secondharvestmetrolina.org or 704‑805‑1712 to discuss before scheduling a time to volunteer.

Because each volunteer shift includes training and instructions for each project, individuals and groups must commit to volunteer for the entire length of each shift. All shifts are 3 hours. There is no long-term commitment required.

Absolutely! Regular individual volunteers are always needed and help tremendously. Regular groups that come to Second Harvest are also welcome. Some groups book once a month – for example the 3rd Thursday of each month. That way employees always know when their volunteer date is and we know that we are getting a dedicated group that wants to support our mission to end hunger!

Please click on this link which goes to CERVIS - our Volunteer Scheduling System. Remember that every person who is volunteering must have a profile and be registered and on the waitlist

Please leave all valuables at home or in your car trunk. We do not have lockers to store your items and are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

You may park in our parking lot (left side of our building), the gravel lot across from the Food Bank, in our neighbor's parking lot (Crisis Assistance Ministry) or in the street (no meters). Please note that you may park on the outside of the circle only. Do not park where signs are located that say "No Parking" or in "Staff Parking" as your car may be towed.

We understand that plans can change, and you may need to cancel a shift. We appreciate you canceling as soon as you can as we often have people on the waitlist who would love to take your spot. All shifts close online 24 hours ahead of time so if you cannot cancel online, you should contact the volunteer coordinator who can assist you at bvandyne@secondharvestmetrolina.org.

Absences without notification can result in volunteers being restricted from future opportunities. We have a limit of 3 No Shows for our volunteers. Any No Shows for volunteers doing Court Ordered Community Service will result in the termination of all future shifts, and you will have to complete your hours with another organization.