Volunteer

6 days a week

Volunteer opportunities Mondays through Saturday

serve the community

Assist the community in a variety of ways, from unloading boxes, sorting food, and more

Offer Hospitality

Share your skills or profession with the community

Volunteering at Friedens

Current and past pantry guests become part of the Friedens team by giving their time to volunteer. Over 30% of our volunteer force is made up of community members who also use our food pantry. 

Local schools, businesses, other organizations, and individuals frequently volunteer their time to assist at the Friedens pantries. Most of our pantry locations are completely operated by volunteers, with staff support as guidance. With over 2,500 volunteers serving yearly, these family members are integral to our operations and to the communities they serve. 

Additionally, our volunteer opportunities provide options to build skills in customer service, warehouse operations, growth coaching, peer mentorship, and a referable experience for future employers. Our volunteer family members become community ambassadors contributing to a greater good – building dignity, job skills, hope and peace alongside their community.

With volunteer shifts Monday through Saturday at varying times and locations, there is sure to be something that would fit your schedule! Groups larger than 5 can reach out to us via the “Contact Us” form below or by emailing volunteer@friedenspantry.org. Individuals and groups smaller than 5 people are welcome to view our available shifts by clicking the button below. 

Please email volunteer@friedenspantry.org or fill out the questionnaire if you have any questions!

Frequently asked questions

Friedens welcomes volunteers that need to perform volunteer service hours for church, school, or court. We cannot guarantee availability for community service hours. The Volunteer Manager can provide a verification once completed. You can request this verification by emailing volunteer@friedenspantry.org. Minors seeking mandated service hours are welcome to participate, with parent or guardian supervision. We encourage all volunteers to continue their service to Friedens beyond their mandated hours. We appreciate your service in any capacity as we fulfill the mission of providing emergency food relief and other services to the Friedens community.

Due to our limited capacity, we depend on volunteers to meet their obligations. If you cannot make to a shift you signed up for, you must email volunteer@friedenspantry.org and let us know as soon as possible. If you don’t receive a response within two hours, please text 414-207-4185.

If you fail to show up three times to your scheduled volunteer shifts, you will be barred from volunteering with Friedens in the future. 

Volunteers who need their hours verified should contact the Volunteer Manager at volunteer@friedenspantry.org. Please expect 1-2 business days for hour verification. 

We have a few different opportunities for children (under the age of 18) to volunteer at Friedens. Please see specific details for each age group below. We do schedule students for community service hours. Student groups may be scheduled on a case-by-case basis depending on availability and need.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities

15-17 years old:

Minors age 15-17 are eligible for all shifts without a parent or guardian, but the minor waiver form must be completed prior to volunteering by a parent or guardian. 

Family Volunteer Opportunities

All youth 14 years and younger must volunteer with a parent or guardian. Children between the ages of 13 and 14 must have a parent or guardian over the age of 18 and must maintain a ratio of 1 adult per 5 children. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 and must maintain a ratio of 1 adult per 2 children. The minor waiver form must be completed prior to volunteering by a parent or guardian for all children present.

We would be happy to host your organization or group. To get scheduled, email volunteer@friedenspantry.org with your group size and your general availability (weekdays, weekends, evenings). Groups of 15 or fewer are the easiest to place, but larger groups can usually be accommodated.

All volunteers should wear clothing that is comfortable and can potentially get messy. We also require all volunteers to wear closed-toed shoes for safety and to refrain from any offensive writing or images on shirts, hats, etc. 

Volunteers are not required to bring any materials with them, but we do suggest leaving valuables at home as we can’t always assure a safe space for personal belongings. 

Parking is specific to each of our four sites. If you are visiting one or more of our sites, please refer to the below information for where to park. 

Coggs Center: 

Volunteers can park on the street or potentially in the lot by the Friedens Vans or Mental Health Clinic behind the Coggs building. Please be aware that street parking may only be for 2 hours. 

Enter through the front door (on Vliet Street), proceed to the right, take the escalator on the left to the basement, and take a right. You can enter through the set of double doors.

Despensa de la Paz: 

During the week, volunteers can park on the street in front of the building. On Saturdays, please use the Prince of Peace school lot directly across the street.

Please enter through the front door of the Hillview Building under the driveway awning (off of 22nd Street)

Hope House

Please park on the street. 

You can enter through the front door on Orchard Street. You may need to ring the doorbell and let front desk know you are there for the pantry. You can take the elevator to the basement.

Zion Rock: 

There is a parking lot attached to the Zion Rock Church. Please park as close to the pantry entrance as possible. You are also welcome to park along the street. 

The pantry entrance is to the right of the church entrance. You will see a purple sign indicating that it is the Zion Rock pantry. 

Absolutely! 30% of our volunteers are also pantry shoppers.

Friedens Pantries exists because of the support of our neighbors

With multiple food distribution programs that distribute more than 1.3 million pounds of food to our neighbors each year and wrap-around support that helps clients achieve a sense of belonging and empowerment, Friedens Pantries aims to end hunger and create a safe space for all. Make your impact today!