Community Food Programs Volunteer Opportunities

Join CfPA’s fight against hunger and food insecurity in Portland! There is an urgent need for volunteers to help sustain our food security programs and get nutritious food in the hands of folks who need it. 

Kitchen / Meal Service Volunteer

Meal Service Volunteer

Make a tangible impact in the lives of older adults through bi-weekly hot meal service at the Hollywood Senior Center. 

Duties & Activities

  • Plate and serve prepared hot meals to 40-70 community members.

  • Assist volunteer team to clear tables and wash dishes

  • Assist participants as they have questions, concerns, or modification requests to the meal service

  • Ensure the kitchen area is clean and dishes are stored properly at the end of lunch service.

Benefits

  • Be part of a dynamic team helping enrich the lives of older adults

  • Opportunity to meet new people and build relationships with fellow volunteers,

  • staff, and CfPA participants.

  • Provide important direct food security services to help individuals we serve achieve healthy aging and live independently. 

Qualifications & Skills

  • Must be able to be on your feet and walking for 1.5-3 hours, carrying dishes to and from the kitchen. 

  • High degree of reliability

  • Friendly, outgoing demeanor and excellent customer skills

  • Ability to listen and communicate effectively

  • Volunteers in this role will be expected to obtain an Oregon Food Handler’s Card within 30 days of starting this position. 

  • Commitment to CFPA’s mission and values, including promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion

Time Commitment: Meal service at the Hollywood Senior Center occurs on Tuesdays and Fridays. Volunteer shifts for both days are 11:00am - 1:30pm. 

Our Enhanced Resident Services (ERS) team needs assistance to transport and distribute donated food on a weekly and monthly basis to low-income resident buildings that we support. 

Volunteer drivers are needed for:

Helen Swindells Community Pantry - 4th Thursday of each month

  • Location: 10 NW Broadway

  • Main responsibilities: Transport multiple boxes of food from the senior center and distribute to residents in the main building lobby

  • Time commitment: 11:00am - 1:00pm; once per month

Alder House Community Pantry - 4th Thursday of each month
Position #1

  • Location: 523 SW 13th Ave

  • Main responsibilities: Transport multiple boxes of food from the senior center and drop off at Alder House

  • Time commitment: 11:00am - 12:00pm; once per month

Position #2

  • Location: 523 SW 13th Ave

  • Main responsibilities: Sort, organize, and distribute donated food to residents

  • Time commitment: 1:00 - 2:30pm; once per month

Weekly Gleaning - Wednesdays 

Position #1

  • Locations: 10 NW Broadway & 523 SW 13th Ave

  • Main responsibilities: Transport multiple boxes of food from the senior center to the lobbies of Helen Swindells and Alder House Apartments

  • Time commitment: 11:00am - 12:00pm; weekly on Wednesdays

Position #2

  • Location: 101 N Morris St

  • Main responsibilities: Transport 3-4 boxes of food from the senior center to the lobby of the Dawson Park Apartments

  • Time commitment: 11:00am - 11:45am; weekly on Wednesdays

Impact: With your time, skills, and commitment to combating food insecurity, we can continue making a meaningful and positive impact on the health and wellbeing of seniors and low-income residents in our community. We need YOU now, more than ever!