Volunteer at our Pantry!

For the last nine years, Berkeley Food Network (BFN) has been fighting hunger in Berkeley and Albany using hyper-local, innovative, and non-stigmatizing approaches. Each week, we distribute healthy, high-quality, and fresh foods to nearly 6,500 people at our pantries and through our home delivery program, and to countless others through our network of 30 local organizations.

We are in need of volunteers at our 9th Street Pantry located at our Warehouse on 9th Street and University Avenue in Berkeley. The 9th Street Pantry serves 1,000 households per week. If you like interacting with your community, this shift is for you!

Volunteers stock and organize our pantries and assist members with check-in and grocery selection. The 9th Street Pantry is open 11 am - 6 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Volunteer shifts are:

• Morning: 10:30am-12:45pm
• Midday: 12:30pm-2:45pm
• Afternoon: 2:30pm-4:45pm
• Evening: 4:30-6:30pm

All volunteers are required to watch a Volunteer Orientation video here prior to signing up for volunteer shifts. [Note that the orientation video fulfills the in-person orientation mentioned in the Volunteer Orientation video. In-person orientations are no longer scheduled.]

In addition to watching a Volunteer Orientation video, volunteers who wish to support BFN's pantry distributions also must watch a New Pantry Volunteer Training video which provides an overview of BFN's pantry programs and outlines BFN's philosophies in supporting our community members. Training includes the basics of customer service, an overview of de-escalation techniques, and other topics related to serving members in the context of food insecurity.

Please fill out BFN's online Volunteer Inquiry Form. You will receive an email with information for getting started with volunteering within 2-3 business days.

Watch our video to learn more: New Volunteer Orientation Video