How long does a typical sorting event take? - A standard food‑sorting event runs for about three hours on a Saturday morning—the same day donations are collected. We hold one event each month during the school year, always on Saturdays. The energy and pace keep things moving quickly, and before you realize it, you’ll have played a meaningful role in helping sort and distribute food to teens in your community.
What do the volunteers do at a sorting event? - Volunteer responsibilities may include:
- Capturing photos throughout the event
- Assisting with event setup and cleanup
- Helping coordinate volunteers and drivers as they arrive
- Unloading donated items from vehicles
- Emptying Orange Bags
- Sorting and organizing food donations
- Preparing and bundling empty bags for the next event
What should I expect at the sorting event? - Volunteers assisting with setup arrive at 8:00 a.m. to arrange tables, gather bins, hang signage, and prepare the space. All other volunteers should plan to arrive by 8:30 a.m. When you check in at the volunteer table, a Greeter will walk you through the available roles and help you get started.
Throughout the event, volunteers unload Orange Bags from incoming vehicles and sort donated items into large bins, which are later delivered to school pantries. While some tasks involve heavier lifting, there are plenty of roles suitable for all ages and abilities. You’ll be surprised by how much a dedicated group can accomplish in such a short time.
How many volunteers do you need for an event? - Quite a few! Each sorting site typically needs 20–30 volunteers to run smoothly. It’s a big team effort, but with everyone pitching in, the entire event is wrapped up well before lunchtime.
When will I get the link to the event sign up for an event? - An email will be sent two weeks before each event containing a link to the registration page. Follow that link to view all upcoming opportunities, choose the event you’d like to attend, and complete your sign‑up.
Can children participate? - Student volunteers ages 13 and older are welcome to participate. Any volunteer under 18 who attends without a parent or guardian must bring a signed Minor Volunteer Participation Form. A new form is required for each event they attend.
Can a student get community service hours by helping with Urgent Care EMS Response Team? - Absolutely! Urgent Care EMS Response Team is an excellent opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Simply mention it at the event welcome table, and a team member will guide you to the appropriate person to sign your paperwork. You’re also welcome to reach out to us directly if you need assistance.
What if I’m not receiving the event signup emails after I signed up? Our sign‑up emails are sent 14 days before each event. If you’re registered as a volunteer but haven’t been receiving them, please reach out and let us know so we can assist.
What if I can no longer participate? - If you need to update your contact details or make changes to your volunteer status, please reach out to us.
What should I do with my filled Orange Bag if I am also Food Donor? - Thank you so much for your generosity. Simply place your filled Orange Bag by your front door before you head out, and one of our drivers will collect it and leave an empty bag for the next pickup.
It all sounds fun! How do I sign up? - If you are interested in being a volunteer, please complete a volunteer form (and check Volunteer Sorter). We will add you to our volunteer database. About two weeks before an event, you will receive an email inviting you to sign up (please check your SPAM folder if you do not receive the Sign Up Genius). You do not have to participate at every event. If you miss an event, no worries! We’ll keep you in the database and you’ll be notified next time.