Warehouse Hours
Monday – Thursday: 7am - 4:30pm
Friday: 7 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Phone (217) 328-3663

Volunteer at EIF

Thank you for your interest in volunteering!  Listed below are current and upcoming opportunities to help the Foodbank. If you are interested in any of the following opportunities, just email us at volunteer(at)eifoodbank.org and be sure to fill out our volunteer registration form.

FOODMOBILES
Foodmobiles are mobile food pantries focused on alleviating hunger among vulnerable populations.  Foodmobiles target rural and under-served communities.  Volunteers are needed to set up the food distribution area, hand out product to recipients, help recipients carry product to their cars, and clean up after distribution is complete. Every distribution has at least one Captain. This is a volunteer who has been trained on Foodmobile distributions and will be the main contact and volunteer coordinator on the day of the distribution. All volunteers should meet at the Foodmobile site at the specified time.  A short orientation will be provided by a Foodmobile Captain or EIF Staff member on-site at that time.  This volunteer project requires volunteers to lift, bend and stand during distribution preparation and throughout the distribution period.

We are in need of volunteers for the following upcoming Foodmobiles:

  • January 25th - Bement & Normal
  • February 8th - Danville
  • February 15th - Clinton
  • February 22nd - Normal & Toledo

All volunteers must arrive on-site at 8:45am.  Food distribution will wrap up around 12:15pm. 

If you can help, sign up to volunteer here.
 

FOODMOBILE CAPTAINS
We need volunteers that are interested in leading food distributions a part of our Foodmobile Program.  The primary responsibility of a Foodmobile Captain is to efficiently manage the on site Foodmobile distribution process from set up to tear down.  Captains will mobilize and manage teams of volunteers assembled by the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and will serve as the primary resource for volunteers, clients, and partner organizations on the day of the distribution. Foodmobile distributions generally occur on Saturdays and last approximately 4-6 hours.  Foodmobiles Captains must provide their own transportation. 

Contact email at volunteer@eifoodbank.org for more information on becoming a Foodmobile Captain and to apply.

DAYTIME WAREHOUSE VOLUNTEERS
Millions of pounds of food is received by EIF every year.  Volunteers are needed to evaluate, sort and stock grocery product in our warehouse. Volunteers will be orientated by an EIF staff member to ensure proper food safety procedures are met. 

We're currently in need of volunteers on:

  • Tuesdays from 9-11am & 2-4pm 
  • Mondays & Thursdays from 2-4pm

Please review our Food Safety Guidelines before registering to volunteer.  

Click here to sign up to help.

REPACK
When the Foodbank receives food in bulk we have to repackage that product into smaller portions for our agencies to give out to individuals and families in need. 

All repacks will be held at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank located at 2405 N. Shore Dr., Urbana, IL 61802

***Please note:  Any volunteer 10 to 13 should be accompanied by a responsible adult; one adult per each child.***

  • Chambanamoms' 10th Birthday Give Back Repack - January 27th 6:00 PM. Click here to register!
  • Valentine Schmalentine Repack - February 14th 6:00 PM.  Click here to register!

FAMILY REPACK

Children 5-13 years old and their families are invited to help repackage bulk product into smaller portions for our agencies to give out to individuals and families in need. Please note: Any child 5-13 years old MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • Have a Heart for Hunger Family Repacks - February 15th 9 AM &10:30 AM. Click here to register!


PLEASE REMEMBER BEFORE YOU REPACK:

  • Please review our Food Safety Guidelines before registering to volunteer.  

  • If you show any signs of cold, flu or sickness please abstain from repackaging food.
  • Please wear closed-toed shoes and remove all jewelry.  To comply with food safety standards any volunteer not wearing closed-toed shoes will not be able to repack.

  • To make sure we don’t go over room capacity, please do not attend a repack without registering first.

  • If you are a group coordinator, please have all volunteers fill out a volunteer registration form before attending and forward these repack instructions to your group.

  • Please arrive on time.  Explaining repack instructions to one full group decreases the likelihood of repackaging errors.

  • No food or drink is allowed in the warehouse/repack room.  EIF has a break room where water is available.  We know it’s tempting but please do not eat the food being repacked – it’s against food safety guidelines.

  • If you  have any food allergies please check with volunteer(a)eifoodbank.org as to what will be repacked.

  • If you are dropping someone off at a repack please be prepared to pick them up early in case the repack wraps up early.

  • Any volunteer 10 to 13 should be accompanied by a responsible adult; one adult per each child. We regret that we cannot accommodate volunteers under the age of 10 for warehouse activities
     

HELP AT OUR AGENCIES!
A few of our agencies could use your help.  If you are interested in volunteering at a food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter, visit our Volunteer at an EIF Agency page.  Our agencies are in need of a variety of volunteers - from Spanish speakers, homework helpers, food sitters, distribution volunteers, soup kitchen servers, to folks who love the outdoors - there is bound to be something you'd be interested in helping with!