Volunteer at Our Neighbors’ Table
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Volunteers are essential to Our Neighbors' Table's efforts to create a food secure region, providing everything from leadership and governance to answering phones, stocking shelves and cooking dinner.
How to Get Started at ONT- It's easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Fill out our brief application here. 2. Attend our volunteer orientation via Zoom to learn about ONT's mission and how to get started as a volunteer. 3. Use our self scheduling tool, SignUp.com, to schedule your shift! What will I do as a volunteer?
ONT offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities including grocery packing, stocking shelves, meal prep, reception work, and more! There is something for everyone at Our Neighbors' Table. What times are available? The majority of our volunteer shifts are during normal business hours. However, we have early afternoon/ evening shifts on Wednesdays and Thursdays, along with Saturday morning shifts. There are also remote opportunities available! |
If you have any questions about the volunteer process, please email Ben or call him at 978-388-1907 x10. If you are a returning volunteer who hasn't come in yet this year, please fill out our records update form. We look forward to seeing you again! |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there an age requirement for volunteering?
Due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, current volunteer opportunities are for those who are 16 and over.
When regular operations resume:
When regular operations resume:
- Ages 15 and above may volunteer with our Meal and Grocery programs.
- Those under 15 may volunteer for some shifts if they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Groups and families with children age 8 or up may help with special family friendly projects including sorting food or assembling gifts and grocery bags.
can my children volunteer?
Please note, while COVID restrictions are in place, all volunteers must be at least age 16 and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to volunteer on ONT premises.
There are lots of creative ways through which children of all ages can help Our Neighbors' Table in the fight against hunger. Common projects offered for groups with children age 8 years and up include assembling Easter baskets, sorting food donated through a local food drive, or, while COVID-19 keeps us apart, hosting a Virtual Food Drive.
There are lots of creative ways through which children of all ages can help Our Neighbors' Table in the fight against hunger. Common projects offered for groups with children age 8 years and up include assembling Easter baskets, sorting food donated through a local food drive, or, while COVID-19 keeps us apart, hosting a Virtual Food Drive.
how can younger children help?
There are creative ways that younger children can help at home or in the classroom. They can collect food or monetary donations around their neighborhood via Fill 'Em Up Bags, decorate bags used for children's Snack Packs, or decorate place mats used for the Wednesday Meal.
For children age 4-10 years, ONT offers WEE Can Help!* These special slots get young kids right in the action restocking our market on Wednesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00pm. To participate in WEE Can Help, please complete the volunteer application with the parent/adult information so we can schedule you for a volunteer orientation. We ask parents to complete a volunteer orientation prior to signing up for your first shift. You and your child will be interacting with our guests and other volunteers so we want to make sure you are properly prepared.
*Unfortunately, WEE Can Help has been put on hold, but we look forward to resuming this popular family activity when it is safe to do so!
For children age 4-10 years, ONT offers WEE Can Help!* These special slots get young kids right in the action restocking our market on Wednesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00pm. To participate in WEE Can Help, please complete the volunteer application with the parent/adult information so we can schedule you for a volunteer orientation. We ask parents to complete a volunteer orientation prior to signing up for your first shift. You and your child will be interacting with our guests and other volunteers so we want to make sure you are properly prepared.
*Unfortunately, WEE Can Help has been put on hold, but we look forward to resuming this popular family activity when it is safe to do so!
Are there opportunities for groups to volunteer?
There are many opportunities for individuals and groups alike during normal operations. Common group projects include serving a Wednesday Meal, assisting guests at the Market, and sorting donated food items.
We do have a great off-site opportunity for groups to raise both money and awareness for Our Neighbors' Table through a Virtual Food Drive! Please contact Ben for more information.
We do have a great off-site opportunity for groups to raise both money and awareness for Our Neighbors' Table through a Virtual Food Drive! Please contact Ben for more information.
Will volunteering satisfy my community service requirements?
Yes! Our Neighbors' Table is happy to host local students looking for community service projects to satisfy their school's graduation requirements. We encourage you to plan ahead and contact us as soon as possible as it may take you several weeks to earn enough hours.
Are diversion and probation candidates able to volunteer?
Absolutely. We regularly work with probation candidates, and we are happy to sign community service letters.
