Youth Volunteer Opportunities at the Saint Ann Food Pantry

The St. Ann Food Pantry loves our volunteers! We offer volunteer opportunities for nearly everyone, from age 8 to 99 and beyond. Young people ages 8–17 are especially encouraged to join us whenever they are available.

A quick note to parents and guardians: Volunteering at the Food Pantry is a wonderful opportunity for your children to serve others, develop responsibility, earn community service hours, and make a meaningful difference in our community.

Volunteer Schedule

Youth and teen volunteers should arrive at approximately 8:30 a.m. Volunteer activities are expected to end around 10:30 a.m. Please bring water and arrive ready to serve. All youth volunteers are chaperoned and must wear a safety vest while working.

Volunteer Opportunities for Youth Ages 8–13

Youth volunteers ages 8–13 may choose a primary assignment of:

• Offering cakes to Food Pantry clients

• Walking carts from the pantry to the concrete staging area

Youth may also be asked to assist with other smaller jobs throughout the morning. For safety, volunteers ages 8–13 must remain in the concrete staging area unless they are accompanied by an adult.

Each youth volunteer position for ages 8–13 requires an adult chaperone. An adult volunteer will usually sign up to fill this role, but parents and guardians should confirm that a chaperone is available before dropping off their children.

Parents or guardians who will not remain at the Food Pantry must:

• Provide emergency contact information

• Check in with the adult chaperone at drop-off

• Check in with the adult chaperone again at pick-up

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens Ages 14–17

Teen volunteers ages 14–17 will work alongside the adult chaperone and other Food Pantry volunteers. Possible assignments may include:

• Sorting and packing vegetables

• Walking carts

• Loading groceries into clients’ vehicles

• Assisting with other Food Pantry tasks as needed

How to Register

Youth and teen volunteer registration is completed through our SignUpGenius page. When registering youth ages 8–13, parents and guardians should select the number of available slots that corresponds with the number of children volunteering. Please use the comment field to list each child’s name.

Parents and guardians should also carefully read the message on the SignUpGenius page before registering. It contains additional information to help families prepare for the volunteer experience.

Please Honor Your Commitment

Please attend every volunteer shift for which you register. If a situation arises and you are no longer able to attend:

1. Remove your name from the SignUpGenius registration.

2. Select “Reply All” on the group email to let the other volunteers know that a space has become available.

Providing notice allows another volunteer to serve and helps the Food Pantry plan appropriately for the morning.

Volunteer Guidelines

While serving, all volunteers are asked to:

• Treat everyone with respect and listen to the adult volunteers.

• Look for ways to assist older adult volunteers, such as retrieving items from lower shelves or helping put away tables.

• Follow all safety instructions.

• Remember that we are serving Christ—not only in the people who come to receive food, but also in one another.

Community Service Hours

Volunteering with the St. Ann Food Pantry may qualify for community service hours required by Beta Club, National Honor Society, and other school or community organizations. Please bring your community service form with you. The Youth Chaperone can sign it on the day you volunteer.

Information for Adult Chaperones

Adult chaperones should review the volunteer guide and tip sheet before serving. If this is your first time volunteering as an Adult Chaperone, or if it has been a while since you last served, please contact Lisa Deeren at LDeeren@gmail.com.

Thank you for considering volunteering with the St. Ann Food Pantry. We look forward to serving alongside you!