Volunteer for North Country Food Bank
North Country has a Volunteer Center that can accommodate large or small groups. Last year, our volunteers contributed over 5,500 hours.
Participating in a volunteer experience can be fun as well as rewarding, even an hour or two makes a big difference.
Volunteer Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at North Country Food Bank. Volunteers are incredibly important to us, and we welcome volunteers of all ages and skill sets. The staff at North Country Food Bank strives to create a positive volunteer experience for everyone. North Country believes that a volunteer's time should be well utilized, and we are committed to creating an environment that welcomes everyone. With that in mind, we have created some guidelines for our volunteers to follow.
How Does It Work?
Review the application and agreement forms
Review our current Volunteer Opportunities and Calendar
Complete and send your application and agreement forms
For more information contact us by email at volunteer@northcountryfoodbank.org or call us at (218) 399-7361
Volunteer Info
- All electrical & mechanical equipment will be used by authorized personnel only.
- Be sure you are familiar with the Material Safety Data Sheets and their location.
- The minimum age to volunteer is 12 years old. Volunteers between the ages of 12-15 must volunteer with an adult, and volunteers 16-17 must volunteer with permission.
- With youth groups, there must be one adult present for every 10 children.
- The dress code at the Food Bank is casual and comfortable.
- Dress warmly in the winter, layers are suggested, dress lightly in the summer. For sanitary reasons, tank tops are not permitted.
- Comfortable, safe footwear is absolutely necessary. Tennis shoes, work shoes, or boots are required. No open-toed shoes or sandals are permitted in the warehouse.
Review our volunteer guidelines to prepare yourself to volunteer with North Country Food Bank.
DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING?
The only thing that you need to bring is yourself!
You are welcome to bring donations that will go to the East Grand Forks food shelf or you can drop them off there as well.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
- Closed toed shoes – no open toed shoes will be allowed in the warehouse.
- Comfortable clothing – no tank tops, you may want to dress in layers to meet your individual needs.
- We provide hangers for any jackets you may wear to volunteer.
VALUABLES
Volunteers are solely responsible for items brought to North Country. North Country is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please lock any valuables you may have inside your car and out of sight.
PARKING
North Country has limited parking for staff and volunteers. If you are coordinating a group, please try to carpool. Do not block loading docks or roadways.
SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside North Country’s facilities.
Volunteer Groups
We can all help our neighbors who are facing hunger, and we encourage you to bring along friends or colleagues for a group service experience.
- Schedule your shift at North Country Food Bank.
- Tell your group about the good work you’ll be doing at North Country, and invite them to join in! Be sure to have logistic details and a copy or two of the volunteer guidelines on-hand so everyone can be prepared.
- A week or so before, collect RSVPs from the volunteers in your group.
- Send us a list of your group members so that we know how many people to expect during your volunteer slot.
- Email or call us at (218) 399-7356 to confirm your volunteer experience.
Let us know of any changes to your group as soon as possible. We rely on set numbers of volunteers to efficiently and safely package food to feed our hungry neighbors, and uncommunicated changes can disrupt our workflow.
Group Project Descriptions
North Country administers the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). This is a federal program that provides supplemental food, to seniors, who need food assistance. Volunteers pack over 1,800 supplemental food boxes each month with cereal, juice, canned fruits, vegetables, milk and meat, rice or pasta, and peanut butter. Join our assembly line and help provide food boxes to hungry community members throughout the state.
North Country provides bags of shelf-stable, nutritious foods to children enrolled in the BackPack Program for the weekend when school meals are not available. Volunteers pack food bags each month with cereal, juice, canned fruits, vegetables, milk, and meal entrees. Join our assembly line and help provide food bags to hungry children throughout the state.
Occasionally, North Country receives donations in containers too large to distribute, or without proper labeling. This food must be sorted by hand, re-boxed, and properly labeled. Once the food is sorted and labeled, it can be made available to our partner agencies for distribution directly to those in need. Join our sorting and re-packing operation to help get donated food out to those in need.
North Country is involved in many fundraising and community awareness projects, and occasionally has a need for assistance with direct mailings, creating booklets and other short-term projects that require assistance in the office. Join our team and help us raise funds for our operation or get information out to those who need it.
Volunteer at a Mobile Food Drop
We are always looking for extra hands at our mobile food distributions! If you are interested in volunteering at an upcoming mobile food distribution, please email us or fill out the form below to indicate your interest. Check the Food Drop calendar to view upcoming dates and locations. Younger children are welcome to help if accompanied by an adult.
Please arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the start of the distribution and dress for the weather!
Volunteer Request Form
Volunteer Application Form | Agreement Form
Please contact volunteer@northcountryfoodbank.org with any questions!
Where We Serve
North Country Food Bank serves 21 counties in northwest and west central Minnesota and part of Grand Forks, North Dakota.