FOOD: Food Pantry Operations Volunteer

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.

• Assist with transporting food from donors to the 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

On-site training is provided at the beginning of the shift.

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

Lift, push, and pull up to 40 lbs. Stand for hours at a time. This opportunity is not able to make accommodations for individuals with physical limitations.

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

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.

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.

• 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

Collecting, Sorting & Packaging, Food Preparation & Meal Services

• Age Minimum (with Adult): 18+ ;
  Minimum Age: 18+ ;
  Court Ordered Volunteer - Allowed

Volunteer opportunities are scheduled throughout March 2026. All volunteers must be registered in advance to attend. Current slots are full; you can join the waiting list.

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

• Choose an existing team you're already a member or captain of, or
• Create a new team to sign up.

Please respond to the following questions in order to signup for this opportunity: