Volunteer with us

Before work begins

1. Complete the online volunteer form before your first shift.
2. Check in with the Shift Supervisor and sign in.
3. Complete the short orientation and ask any questions you have.
4. Store personal belongings where the supervisor directs.
5. Wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with good traction and clothing suited to the task.
6. Go only to your assigned work area. Your supervisor will show you safe walkways, exits, restrooms, and the assembly point.

During your shift

• Work only on the task you were shown. Ask before changing tasks or work areas.
• Use only approved hand tools and supplies. Volunteers do not operate powered warehouse equipment.
• Keep your phone put away while walking or working. Use it during breaks in the designated area.
• Keep food and drinks out of sorting and packing areas. Ask where a closed water bottle may be kept.
• Report an injury, spill, damaged food, near miss, or anything that feels unsafe or uncomfortable.

At the end

• Clean your station as directed and return supplies.
• Report unfinished work or concerns.
• Sign out so we know who is in the building.

Move safely

• Stay in marked walkways and your assigned volunteer area.
• Stop at corners and doorways. Make eye contact with equipment operators before crossing their path.
• Stay away from loading docks, vehicle lanes, freezer areas, elevated storage, and restricted areas unless your supervisor escorts you.
• Never ride on carts, pallets, forklifts, pallet jacks, or other equipment.
• Do not climb racks, pallets, boxes, chairs, or ladders. Ask for help reaching anything above you.

Lift and work comfortably

• Check the weight and path before lifting. Keep the load close, bend your knees, and turn with your feet.
• As a general guide, do not lift more than 35 pounds alone. Ask for help sooner whenever you need it.
• Use gloves or other protective equipment when your supervisor provides it.
• Keep aisles, exits, and fire equipment clear. Report spills or damaged flooring.
• Take a break and tell the supervisor if you feel tired, dizzy, uncomfortable, or unable to do a task safely.

Equipment volunteers do not use

Our goal is to share food that is safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. You do not have to make a difficult judgment by yourself.

Reject these clear problems

• Cans that are bulging, leaking, badly rusted, or deeply dented on a seam or rim.
• Packages that are open, torn, punctured, unsealed, resealed, leaking, or wet from an unknown source.
• Food with mold, rot, pests, unusual odor, or other signs of spoilage or contamination.
• Products identified by YCFH as recalled or affected by an allergen or labeling problem.
• Refrigerated or frozen food that may have been held at an unsafe temperature.

Put these on HOLD

• A dent, stain, date, label, seal, or package condition you are unsure about.
• A product with missing information or a label you cannot read.
• Baby food, infant formula, medicine, supplements, or another item with special rules.
• Anything that simply does not look right to you.

Important boundaries

• Do not taste or smell food to decide whether it is safe.
• Do not repair, tape, reseal, wash, relabel, or repackage an item unless the supervisor provides a specific approved procedure.
• Do not return rejected food to distribution or take it home.
• Keep HOLD and REJECT items in their marked locations.

Wash your hands

Wash with soap and running water before starting, after using the restroom, after eating or touching your face or phone, after handling trash or damaged food, and whenever your hands may be contaminated.

Gloves help with some tasks

• Wear gloves when your supervisor asks. Gloves do not replace handwashing.
• Change gloves when they tear, become dirty, or after touching something that could contaminate food.
• Keep cuts covered with a clean bandage and ask if more protection is needed.

Keep food areas clean

• Keep personal food, gum, and open drinks out of sorting and packing areas.
• Use only approved cleaning supplies and follow the directions you are given.
• Keep clean food away from trash, chemicals, damaged products, and the floor.
• Report spills, pests, broken glass, leaking products, or sanitation concerns.

Please stay home when you are sick

Do not volunteer around food if you have vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, a contagious illness, or an uncovered draining wound. We will be glad to welcome you back when you are well.

Cold food

If refrigerated or frozen food feels warm, is thawing, or may have been out too long, place it on HOLD and tell the supervisor. The supervisor will check the temperature and decide what happens next.

How we treat one another

• Be kind, patient, and respectful with volunteers, staff, visitors, partner agencies, and neighbors.
• Respect differences in background, identity, ability, beliefs, and experience.
• Harassment, bullying, threats, sexual comments, unwanted contact, and discrimination are not part of volunteering here.
• Follow the supervisor’s directions and help keep the work area calm and cooperative.

Privacy, phones, and photos

• Protect personal information you may see or hear. Do not share names, stories, contact information, or agency records outside your work.
• Put phones away while walking or working. Use them during breaks in the designated area.
• Do not wear earbuds or headphones in warehouse work areas.
• Ask before taking or posting photos or video. Never photograph someone who has not agreed.

Keeping the space safe

• Come ready to volunteer without alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or anything else that affects safe work.
• Weapons are not permitted during volunteer activities.
• Smoke or vape only where YCFH says it is allowed, away from food and work areas.
• Do not remove food, supplies, records, or other property unless a YCFH staff member approves it.

Tell the Shift Supervisor right away about

• An injury, sudden illness, or exposure—even if it seems minor.
• A near miss, unsafe condition, spill, damaged shelf, or blocked exit.
• Smoke, fire, a strange odor, severe weather, or another emergency concern.
• Damaged, contaminated, recalled, or temperature-questionable food.
• Harassment, threats, suspected abuse, inappropriate behavior, or anything that makes someone feel unsafe.

In a medical or life-safety emergency

1. Call 911 if immediate help is needed, or clearly ask someone nearby to call.
2. Alert the Shift Supervisor.
3. Move away from danger. Do not enter an unsafe area or attempt a rescue beyond your training.
4. Follow directions from YCFH staff and emergency responders.

If you hear an evacuation instruction

• Stop work and leave by the nearest safe exit.
• Do not stop for personal belongings.
• Go to the assembly point shown during orientation.
• Check in with the Shift Supervisor and do not re-enter until authorized.

Young volunteers bring energy and care to YCFH. We use age-appropriate tasks, clear work areas, and supportive supervision.

Warehouse boundaries for anyone under 18

• Do not operate or ride on powered equipment, vehicles, compactors, balers, or dock equipment.
• Do not load or unload vehicles, work on active docks, climb ladders, work at height, enter freezers, or handle hazardous chemicals.
• Stay in the assigned youth work zone and use only approved hand tools.
• Ask before lifting. The supervisor may provide a team lift or set a lower limit.

Supportive supervision

• At least two approved adults will be present during youth activities.
• Adults and youth remain in visible, open work areas. Private one-adult/one-youth situations are avoided.
• Program messages include a parent, guardian, group leader, or approved YCFH channel—not private adult-to-youth messaging.
• A YCFH supervisor assigns tasks and remains responsible for warehouse safety, even when another adult is present.

Before the visit

• Confirm the date, arrival time, group size, ages, accessibility needs, and YCFH contact.
• Make sure each person completes the required online volunteer form. Youth also need parent or guardian permission.
• Ask everyone to wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes and comfortable work clothing.
• Share arrival, parking, illness, and cancellation instructions.

At the start

• Each person checks in and completes YCFH’s short orientation.
• The Shift Supervisor explains the task, safe work zone, exits, assembly point, and where to place questionable food.
• The group leader helps with attendance, communication, and group behavior.

The group leader’s helpful role

• Keep the group together and help everyone listen during orientation.
• Support respectful behavior and tell the supervisor if someone needs assistance.
• Help with headcounts and check-out. The group leader does not replace YCFH’s safety supervision.