Food Distribution
Mon: 6:30-8pm
Thurs: 1-4pm and 6:30-8pm
Sat: 9:30am-12:30pm
Office Hours
Mon: 10:00am-12:00pm Tues: 10:00am-12:30pm
Wed: 10:30am-12:30pm Thurs: 10am-12pm
Fri: 10:00am-12:30pm Sat: 12:30-1:30pm
Closed July 1-4
Volunteer Opportunities
EYFP is an all volunteer service organization. In 2020, nearly 500 volunteers logged over 14,000 hours and we are well on our way to surpass that amazing number this year.
Volunteer opportunities include serving our clients, food recovery and restocking, unloading food deliveries, and driving to pick up large food donations from our grocery partners.
Learn more below and click "Join Us" above to volunteer.
COVID-19 Updates to Volunteer Eligibility and Procedures
EYFP is not currently accepting volunteer requests from anyone under the age of 25. We also are not able to accept court-mandated community service requests at this time. We appreciate your understanding as we work to protect the health of our established volunteers and the safety of the pantry for our clients who rely on our services.
EYFP also has implemented modified service procedures in order to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Volunteers’ temperatures are taken as they arrive, and they are asked to use hand sanitizer and immediately put on gloves.
Client Service
Effective May 4, 2020, EYFP has implemented a “client choice” service model in order to better meet taste preferences and reduce food waste. Volunteers during client service shifts perform the following tasks:
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As clients arrive at the pantry’s drive-up distribution, volunteers take down clients’ food orders on a pre-printed form. Clients can partially roll down their driver’s side window to tell the volunteer their order, but must remain in their cars at all times.
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Volunteers use a shopping cart to select and package clients’ requested food items inside the pantry, wheel carts outside to clients’ parked cars, and place all items into clients’ trunks. Volunteers are not permitted to enter any client vehicles.
You must be able to stand/walk for 1.5-3 hours depending on the shift.
Client Service Shifts:
Monday: 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday: 1:00-4:00pm
6:30-8:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm
Recovery / Restocking
EYFP has a continuing flow of food items that have to be processed, sorted, and stocked in preparation for client shopping days. You must be able to stand/walk for 2-3 hours; some lifting is involved.
Recovery/Restocking Shifts:
Monday: 10:00am-12:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am-12:30pm
Wednesday: 10:30am-12:30pm
Thursday: 10:00am-12:00pm
Friday: 10:00am-12:30pm
Saturday: 12:30pm-1:30pm
Drivers
EYFP reclaims perishable foods that still have 4-5 days of viability from local retailers. Drivers use the EYFP van for pickups. You must be at least 21, have a valid IL drivers license, and be able to lift cases that weigh up to 50 pounds.
Driver Shifts:
Tuesday: 8:00-9:00am; 10:30-11:30am; 11:30am-12:30pm
Wednesday: 10:30-11:30am; 12:00-1:00pm
Friday: 8:00-9:00am; 10:30-11:30am; 11:30am-12:30pm
Saturday: 8:00-9:00am; 10:30-11:30am
Truck Deliveries
EYFP uses charitable cash donations to purchase food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank twice each month. Deliveries are on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Pallet load quantities of food items are sorted and moved into storage or stocked on market shelves on these delivery days. You must be able to stand/walk required for approximately 2 hours; lifting is involved.
Truck Deliveries:
2nd Tuesday: 10:30am-12:00pm
4th Tuesday: 8:00-9:30am