Food Pantry Assistance Volunteers (Year-Round & Summer 2026)

Help provide food assistance to New Yorkers in need!

The United Jewish Council of the East Side (UJCES) supports the Lower East Side and wider NYC community with human services and community development programs. While the majority of services are oriented to older adults, UJCES also has programs for families and children. UJCES volunteers are essential to our mission as we serve New Yorkers.

DETAILS:

Food Pantry Assistance Volunteers support staff at UJCES's food pantries, and occasionally on walking deliveries to clients, depending on the location. One food pantry is located in the Orenstein Building on Willett St./Bialystoker Pl., and the other is at the Lillian Wald Houses on Avenue D.

As a volunteer, you may assist with:

• Sorting pantry items and stocking shelves
• Packing grocery items
• Handing out grocery packages to clients
• Unloading new groceries from a truck
• Assisting clients with on-site order requests
• Independently delivering packages via walking routes, as needed (from Orenstein Building only)

Training is provided on site. Tasks include bending and lifting heavy materials.

You must be 14+ years old to volunteer, and groups of volunteers 14-17 years old must be accompanied by parent(s) or guardian(s). For volunteers younger than 18 years old, walking deliveries will not be assigned unless volunteers are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Carts are provided for easy walking delivery transport. Shifts take place rain or shine, and walking deliveries may involve multiple trips, and/or walking within approximately 60 minutes of the Orenstein Building.

You can join compassionate people in supplying nutritious food to the New York City community.

DAYS & TIMES:

Shifts are offered weekdays, and the suggested time is 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. We will also consider your availability for other shift times.

We have greater need for volunteers on Fridays. For Friday volunteers, fluency in Cantonese and/or Mandarin is helpful but not required.

SUMMER 2026:

Volunteers planning to only serve during summer are encouraged, but not required, to serve one shift weekly for at least two months, as long as shifts are available.

HOW TO SIGN UP:

Join the UJCES team! Please complete an online application form at ujceastside.org/volunteer-nyc. You can sign up on your own, or with a group of friends, family, or coworkers (group of 10 maximum).