Did you resolve to give back, get involved in your community, or make healthy choices in 2025? Good news: Volunteering at the Food Bank ticks all those boxes, and more!
Not only does volunteering have proven health benefits, it’s a feel-good way to spend your time, meet new people and make friends. And you’ll make a real difference for more than 65,000 local households facing hunger.
Ready to get started? We asked our dedicated volunteers – and the experts on our volunteer support team – to share how you can make volunteering a habit you’ll stick to all year long!
Read on to learn how you can make 2025 a life-changing year for you and your neighbors in need…
Switch it up
There are so many ways to volunteer with the Food Bank, so why not try them all! Challenge yourself to sign up for shifts sorting, packing and distributing food to see which type of opportunity is the best fit for you. No matter which activity becomes your favorite, you’ll be helping us get food where it’s needed most.
“Stay by doing something as simple as sorting the produce, like I did. Get your feet wet, and from there it leads to other things,” says longtime volunteer Debra, who now regularly volunteers to distribute food as well. “The important thing is just taking that first step and signing up.”
Let the games begin
Challenge others to a friendly competition – who can rack up the most volunteer hours in 2025? Or, who can collect the most virtual food drive donations? At the end of the year, get together for lunch or dinner after your volunteer shift and celebrate your accomplishments. Winner gets treated!
Work it
Check with your supervisor about organizing an employee volunteer day. You’ll have a rewarding team-building experience, and you may recruit new volunteer buddies! While you’re at it, check if your employer is one of thousands that match gifts or volunteer hours given to the Food Bank.
Not able to come to our warehouses in a group? Our Remote Team Building opportunities are another great way to introduce your office to the fun of giving back together.
Celebrate with us
Spend your birthday volunteering and invite friends and family to join you – giving back is the gift! Learn about volunteering as a group here.
It’s a date
Swap dinner and a movie for a volunteer shift – you’ll work together for a common cause and can recap your feel-good experience on the ride home.
Pat and Debbie, who have been married 48 years, enjoy volunteering together at our Senior Food Program in Antioch. “We enjoy any time we can spend time together, especially helping other people and seeing the smiles on their faces.”
Meet, greet, repeat.
Regular volunteering is a wonderful way to get out and meet new people. Visit our recently remodeled volunteer center in Concord or Fairfield, and set a goal of chatting with a fellow volunteer as you box, bag or sort food – and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in our improved break space.
Sharing is caring.
Each time you volunteer, inspire others to sign up for a shift by posting photos of your experience on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Include a few words about how helping others makes you feel. And don’t forget to tag us @foodbankccs so we can say thank you and share your posts! 
Sisters Megan and Gabby document their volunteer work through their Instagram account, @GabMeg_WeCare! “Students from my school actually follow me and see these posts, and ask how they can get more involved with the community,” Megan shares.
Keep in touch.
Sign up for Food Bank updates to learn about special events, group activities, and all you’re making possible by supporting the Food Bank. And for real-time happenings, follow us on social media @FoodBankCCS.
Whether you use one of our ideas or create a plan of your own, we hope you’re excited to make a difference with us! With shifts in morning, afternoon and evenings, and opportunities located across Contra Costa and Solano Counties, there’s sure to be an option that works for your schedule. Check out our calendar of volunteer opportunities and get started.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
