Volunteering at Hope Pantry
Harvest of Hope Pantry provides healthy supplemental food to those in need of food assistance within a safe, welcoming and non-judgmental environment. We offer a range of roles and ways to help the Pantry. Ideally, volunteers commit to a recurring weekly shift for a period of 1-3 months. We also have a need for substitutes who can assist with tasks on a short notice if your schedule is flexible.
Step 1: Complete the online application here. (Please indicate if you are signing up for a weekly commitment and the day/times that work best for you during our pantry programming hours at the top of the application.)
Step 2: Watch the Orientation Video before your training shift
Step 3: Attend a first time/training shift: New volunteers will attend one first/training shift to familiarize themselves with our mission and program information.
Step 4. After your first training shift you can log onto the Online Volunteer Portal to view, edit, and sign-up for volunteer shifts.
Step 5. Sign up for the Volunteer Newsletter to see see Pantry news, updates, and last-minute volunteer opportunities.
*Please note that we have a minimum age of 14 years for all pantry volunteers and any volunteer under 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Individuals
We rely on volunteers for daily coverage and program support. Click Here to learn more about volunteer roles.
Volunteer shifts are Mondays – Fridays
AM Shift, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
PM Shift, 11:15 AM – 2:15 PM
We also have a late shopping sessions, two evenings a week.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Evening Shift, 4:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Groups
Looking to schedule a group volunteer project?
Occasionally, we recruit small groups (4-6 people) to help with a variety of special projects here at the pantry including repackaging bulk foods, bagging lunches, stocking and organizing donations, and more. Sign up for a group volunteer opportunity by clicking here.
If your large group would like to help the pantry, consider hosting an in-person or virtual Food Drive!
Volunteering FAQs
Our pantry is located at 4830 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80301. Get Directions
New volunteers must first go through an initial pantry orientation and training to get acquainted with our pantry’s processes, procedures and operations. After training, volunteers can sign up for a range of shifts in various roles during one of our pantry’s programs which run every Mon. – Fri., 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM and 11:15 AM – 2:15 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:15 PM – 6:45 PM.
Hope Pantry has a twice weekly evening program, staffed by volunteers Tuesday and Thursday from 4:15 PM – 6:45 PM. Currently we don’t offer any weekend volunteer opportunities.
We do allow for family volunteer participation, but each family member must first go through an initial pantry orientation and training to get acquainted with our pantry’s processes, procedures and operations. Also, we do have a minimum age of 14 years for all pantry volunteers and any volunteer under 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Yes! We’re always looking for groups to help with a variety of special projects here at the pantry including repackaging donated hygiene products, pantry cleaning, stocking and sorting donations and more. As our pantry has limited space, we limit groups to 15 people or less. All volunteers under 16yrs old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. To schedule your group’s visit, click here.
Your first shift will serve as your pantry orientation and training. You’ll get acquainted with our pantry’s processes, procedures and operations. Then you will be able to sign up for future volunteer shifts. Follow the steps at the top of this page to schedule your training shift.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the pantry! Your role in providing food to those in need is direct, impactful, and rewarding. Roles include: Pantry Assistant, Check-In, Delivery Team and Intern. Let us know your interests and your skills, and we hope to find you the perfect fit!
Volunteer Positions
Pantry Assistant
Shopping Assistants will work together as a team to assist clients with their pantry shopping visit, invite clients into the pantry as space opens up, weigh out food, answer questions and manage the overall flow. They may also help with stocking shelves, bringing shopping carts back to the shopping floor, managing the coffee station and completing other tasks. Each day we meet before the pantry floor opens to assign specific duties needed.
Check-In
These volunteers are the first point of contact for most shoppers. This role oversees our client check-in process on the computer and assists with pantry related tasks.
Delivery Team
The delivery team assists with picking up food donations from various businesses in the area. They also assist when mobile pantry opportunities come available.
Intern
The intern team consists of CU Boulder students. They help with leading volunteer shifts by delegating tasks and answering any questions volunteers may have during their shift.
Please wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals) and sleeved shirts when helping at The Pantry. Clothing should be appropriate and comfortable for a grocery pantry and warehouse setting where you may be bending and/or lifting. Temperatures can be lower if you are moving items from the walk-in cooler.
Yes, volunteers are allowed to complete community service hours at our pantry, we just ask that you commit to a minimum of 20 hours of service, and tell us the charge. Not all are eligible for service at the pantry.
To coordinate your service, click here.
We encourage volunteers to utilize the volunteer portal to set their own schedule. If you need to make changes to your recurring schedule, email the Volunteer Manager. Need to cancel within 24 hours? You can email Scheduling
Yes, the Executive Director will decide on a pantry closure. Volunteers can visit the Harvest of Hope Pantry website (front page banner), Instagram and Facebook to check for a notice of weather closure. We also try to send an email or text as soon as possible to keep any scheduled volunteers aware of closures.
