Volunteer

Why Should I Volunteer?

The Benefits of Volunteering

Provides a connection to your community

Makes you look at the world differently

Provides a sense of purpose

Makes a difference in the lives of others

It’s good for your mind and body

Brings fun and fulfillment

Helps you stay active

Making new friends

Sign up to volunteer today!

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities for Individuals:
Interested in corporate engagement opportunities click here

Sorting – We recover healthy food six days a week! Join other volunteers as we organize it and merchandise it for the market, curbside pick up and online ordering!

Courtesy Patrol – We provide dignity in every aspect of the client experience. Join us as we load the groceries into client vehicles. Smiles all around!

Traffic Control- We have hundreds of client cars arrive on our market days. Help us direct cars into open parking spots and answer questions about food.

Registration- Every client checks in at the registration desk prior to shopping. This skilled role requires training and commitment to a weekly shift.

Spanish Translation – Our client population holds MANY Spanish-speaking people. Help us to welcome them and explain shopping or program opportunities.

Driver – Volunteers also drive our vans and box trucks (C license required) to pick up at our food partners.

Food Box Packing– Our curbside food pick-up requires many volunteers as we fill hundreds of boxes (dairy, produce, frozen meat, dry goods) for drive-through pick-up.

CARES Specialist- We provide Emergency Assistance and a variety of support services to our clients. This volunteer position assists the client with these services.  This very fulfilling role requires an extended training period and regular weekly volunteering.

Greeter- Bilingual skills are a must for the face of Loaves & Fishes. This volunteer welcomes our clients and directs them to registration for food shopping or other programs.

Moving Up- Volunteers provide dinner for our Moving Up participants and their children.  Babysitters are also needed while their parents are participating in class.  Moving Up is a 20-session course that guides participants to investigate their lives and discover what ‘s holding them back from living a more self-sufficient life.

VITA Volunteers- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). Volunteers learn to prepare taxes and are trained on VITA site procedures and processes. Interested in learning more about becoming a VITA Volunteer? Click here.

Still unsure or have questions, email volunteer@loaves-fishes.org

Teen & Family Volunteers

Teen Program

Tuesdays with Teens

Ages 14-15 High School Students
Tuesdays  3:30-5 pm
Naperville Market: 1871 High Grove Lane

Our teen volunteers are making an impact in the lives of others. Join a group of your high school peers for our Teens on Tuesday evenings from 3:30- 5 pm at our Naperville Market and Resource Center.  Sign up individually or as a group.

Teen Volunteering for Ages 16+ 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you must attend a one-hour orientation before you choose a volunteer shift.  We love the energy and enthusiasm of our teens and welcome those looking to fulfill a service hour requirement for school, church, or college applications.
First step – create a profile below, and then you will be able to choose an orientation.

Family Program

June 18, 5:30-7 pm
Held at the Food Distribution Hub; 580 Exchange Ct., Aurora
This session is FULL, check back again soon!

During this fun 90-minute family volunteer experience, you will have an introduction to Loaves & Fishes, receive a tour of our new Food Distribution Hub and then work in various food packing areas. Learn about the importance of eating nutritious food, giving back to others, and ending food insecurity. Children must be ages 6 to 18 years old, and at least one parent, grandparent or guardian must attend.

Due to safety reasons, we cannot permit younger siblings to come along.
Please wear close-toed shoes and dress for a cool warehouse environment. A sweatshirt, tennis shoes, or flat boots are perfect. Each session is limited to 15 so that all who attend are engaged and supervised.

Kindly note that this is NOT a drop-in event.

For more information contact, Susan Ochoa at sochoa@loaves-fishes.org

We look forward to welcoming you!

Corporate Volunteers

At Loaves & Fishes, we love to host socially responsible corporate groups to help us achieve our vision: Ending hunger and Transforming lives!  When employees feel engaged in their community and workplace, everyone benefits! It’s well known that employees want to work for companies that care. In fact, Cone Research found that 79% of people prefer to work for a socially responsible company.

Our typical corporate group volunteering opportunity includes a 2.5-hour service event where your group will participate in an introduction to our mission and community impact and a tour of our 32,000-square-foot warehouse in Aurora. For the remainder of the time, your group will actively pack boxes, fill bags, and/or sort through food donations. We can most easily accommodate groups of 5 – 20. If you have a larger group – please contact us to talk about opportunities.  

Interested in finding out more about bringing your team email our Director of Volunteer Engagement, Amy Clarke Sievers acsievers@loaves-fishes.org.

Corporate Volunteer Interest Form 

New Volunteers

Interested in signing up to Volunteer with Loaves & Fishes?  

The first step is to create your profile in our scheduling software. We will then invite you to participate in a volunteer orientation session. Each volunteer must attend an orientation in order to be eligible to sign-up for your first shift.  

Our volunteer shifts are typically 2-3 hours and are offered at both our Naperville Market and Aurora Hub. Volunteer shifts are offered six days a week!  Click here to learn more about our various volunteer roles.