Food distribution: Monday: 6:30-8pm ~ Thursday: 1-4pm and 6:30-8pm ~ Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm
Volunteer Opportunities
EYFP is a volunteer driven service organization. In 2021, nearly 300 volunteers logged over 11,000 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/tap "Be a Volunteer" to join us.
Interested in volunteering as a team?
EYFP has limited opportunities for adult groups of 3-6 including pre-pack of items for our Mobile Food Pantry, helping with distribution at our outdoor Mobile Pantry on the 3rd Saturday of the month, and Saturday Client Service/Food Distribution. Please send an email to volunteercoordinator@eyfp.org to inquire about current opportunities.
EYFP is once again offering opportunities for Scout troops. Please click/tap the "Scout Troops" button to go to the information page.
The Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) in Geneva, IL offers many more group opportunities. As one of our key partners, by helping NIFB you are helping EYFP and many more neighbors in need. They invite you to sign up to bring a team to volunteer at any of their four Centers in Geneva, Joliet, Lake Forest or Rockford. Volunteers must be at least 8 years old for their Food Sort & Pack opportunities and 12 years old for their Grocery Distribution opportunities.
Check out NIFB's Team Volunteering page for more details at: https://www.volunteer-northernilfoodbank.org/volunteering-as-a-team/
Interested in volunteering as an individual?
EYFP Volunteer Eligibility and Procedures
EYFP is not currently accepting volunteer requests from anyone under the age of 20 (age 17+ for High School NHS hours). 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’ are asked to stay home if not feeling well (even if a 'minor' sore throat), and wear a mask when working directly with clients.
Client Service
Effective May 4, 2020, EYFP 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 provide clients with today's available items on a pre-printed shopping list. Clients complete the order form and a volunteer picks up their order all while clients remain in their car.
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Volunteers use a shopping cart, select and package clients’ requested food items inside the pantry, then deliver the completed order to clients' parked vehicle placing items into the trunk. Volunteers are not permitted to enter any client vehicles.
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Clients are required to stay in their vehicle.
Note: You must be able to stand/walk for 1.5-3 hours depending on the shift
Client Service Shifts: [Start times are for volunteer arrival for prep/coordination; client shopping starts 15 minutes later]
Monday: 6:15-8:00pm
Thursday: 12:45-4:00pm
Thursday: 6:15-8:00pm
Saturday: 9:15am-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.
Note: 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.
Note: 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:
Monday: 9:45am-11:30am
Tuesday: 8:45am-10:30am; 10:30am-11:45am
Wednesday: 9:45am-11:30am
Thursday: 9:45am-11:30am
Friday: 8:45am-10:15am; 10:30am-11:45am
Saturday: 7:45am-9:15am; 10:30-11:45am
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.
Note: You must be able to stand/walk required for approximately 2 hours; lifting is involved
Truck Deliveries:
2nd Tuesday: 10:30am-11:30pm
4th Tuesday: 8:00-9:30am