FOOD: Food Pantry Operations Volunteer

Overview

Directly contribute to fighting hunger and supporting vulnerable communities in San Diego by volunteering at Partnership for a Better San Diego's food pantry in Mission Valley. Due to budget constraints, Partnership for a Better San Diego is unable to hire additional food pantry employees. Volunteers help fill that gap so community members can get the food assistance they need.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Assist with transporting food from donors to their pantry
• Help load/unload the food pantry truck
• Help organize and sort food donations to ensure a smooth distribution process
• Distribute items to recipients on distribution days; monitor inventory levels and replenish as needed
• Engage with pantry recipients with kindness, empathy and a non-judgmental manner
• Support with the set up and break down of food distributions

Training Provided: On-site training provided at the beginning of the shift

Attire: Closed-toe, non slip shoes, clothes that can get dirty.

Physical Requirements: Lift, push and pull up to 40 lbs, stand for hours at a time. Unfortunately this opportunity is not able to make accommodations for individuals with physical limitations.

Accessibility: The space where this project takes place is not wheelchair accessible.

Weather: Food distributions occur rain or shine. If a volunteer does not feel comfortable working in this environment, please notify their pantry coordinator as soon as possible.

Photos: Volunteers may not take photos of clients but may have photos taken of them.

The mission of Partnership for a Better San Diego is to combat food insecurity and promote economic stability in San Diego and Imperial Counties by empowering underserved populations. They strengthen the local hospitality sector and advance the labor movement through workforce development programs that create access to quality union jobs.

Population Served:
Families, Homeless, Immigrants, Refugees or Ethnic Groups, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), Low-income communities, Military/Veterans, Offenders/Ex-offenders, People with Disabilities, People with Health-based Concerns

Activity Type:
Collecting, Sorting & Packaging, Food Preparation & Meal Services

Requirements:
Age Minimum (with Adult): 18+ , Minimum Age: 18+ , Court Ordered Volunteer - Allowed

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up. All volunteers must be registered in advance to attend.

• Thursday, February 5, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, February 9, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Monday, February 9, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Thursday, February 12, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, February 16, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Thursday, February 19, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, February 23, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, February 24, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Thursday, February 26, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, March 2, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Monday, March 2, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 3, 2026 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Tuesday, March 3, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 3, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026 From 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Thursday, March 5, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, March 9, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Monday, March 9, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 10, 2026 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Tuesday, March 10, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 10, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026 From 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Thursday, March 12, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, March 16, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Monday, March 16, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 17, 2026 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Tuesday, March 17, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 17, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, March 18, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Wednesday, March 18, 2026 From 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Thursday, March 19, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, March 23, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Monday, March 23, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 24, 2026 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Tuesday, March 24, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 24, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, March 25, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Wednesday, March 25, 2026 From 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Thursday, March 26, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Monday, March 30, 2026 From 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
• Monday, March 30, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 31, 2026 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Tuesday, March 31, 2026 From 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 31, 2026 From 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Your donation means more volunteers making an impact on San Diego…