Welcome to the Yolo Food Bank Volunteer Team! We are excited to have you join us at an event soon. This page is full of helpful resources to guide you on your volunteer journey. If at any point you have any questions please feel free to contact our Volunteer Services Team at volunteer@yolofoodbank.org

 

  1. Read Our Volunteer Handbook: Linked Here

  2. Learn about how Yolo Food Bank works by watching the video below

 

Our mission is to work as a community to meet the food and nutrition needs of Yolo County.

Our vision: Yolo County is a collaborative community where everyone has access to the food resources needed for a healthy life.

 

Safety Requirements 

Watch the video Behind the Scenes 101 - Learn what to expect and how to stay safe when volunteering at the Yolo Food Bank warehouse! 

Watch the video Frontlines 101 - Learn what to expect and how to stay safe when volunteering at Yolo Food Bank food distributions.  

In order to remain safe and sanitary, all volunteers are required to: 

  • Wear closed-toe shoes at volunteer events

  • Wear gloves while handling food

    • Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently

    • Change ripped, ill fitting, and dirty gloves immediately

  • Sign up for events online before participating

  • Sign in and out of the volunteer event

In case of emergency, always notify a Lead Volunteer, YFB Staff member, and/or Local Authorities (e.g. police, fire station, or ambulance). 

Guidelines of Sensitivity

Yolo Food Bank volunteers are expected to treat clients, staff, and other volunteers with respect at all times. Approach clients' needs with compassion, sensitivity, and without judgement. As a volunteer, we ask that you always abide by the following guidelines: 

  • Keep an open mind and refrain from judgement

  • Try to be conscious and aware of your verbal, physical, facial expressions, and tone

  • Treat all clients with respect, and respect their privacy

  • Help maintain a non-biased, helpful, and supportive environment

  • Refrain from using harsh, vulgar, threatening, abusive, or offensive language towards clients, staff, and volunteers 

Please see the Volunteer Handbook (above) for more detailed information on Code of Conduct and Corrective Action Policies. 

 

Age Requirements for Youth Volunteers

Volunteers who are 12-17 years old will be required to submit a Youth Volunteer Waiver when they create an account. Youth Volunteer Waivers require a signature indicating permission to participate from a parent or guardian. Additional requirements are as follows: 

Ages 12 - 15: 

Youth volunteers between the ages of 12 - 15 must always be accompanied by an adult and/or be part of an organized group with adequate adult supervision (5:1). Adults accompanying minors must be signed up for the volunteer events and participate alongside their youth volunteers. 

Ages 16-17:

Volunteers ages 16-17 who wish to volunteer without being accompanied by an adult must receive parental permission before participating alone (via the Youth Volunteer Waiver). 

 

Tracking Hours and Signing In/Out: CauseConnect App

Volunteers are required to log all hours they complete through their volunteer account. It is your responsibility to keep your hours updated and accurate.

We’re excited to announce CauseConnect app, a new and easy way to manage your volunteer experience from the palm of your hand. 

With CauseConnect, you can:

  • Log in to our volunteer site from anywhere

  • Search and sign-up for volunteering opportunities 

  • Manage your own volunteer calendar

  • Quickly check-in and out of volunteer shifts

  • Easily track your volunteer hours in real-time

And it’s completely free to use!

We’re asking all volunteers to use the new app when engaging with our program from their mobile device. 

Click here to download the app and watch a short video on how to use it! 

If you do not have access to a smartphone, you can track hours manually with the volunteer sign in sheet at distribution events or the Volunteer Console at the YFB warehouse. Please note, these options may delay your hour confirmations by up to 2 weeks. 

You can also log hours from a computer: Log into GetConnected and click "Track Hours" to log past hours. Use the mobile app or on-site check-in station to sign in and out of events to automatically add hours to your volunteer profile. 

 

Food Allocation for Volunteers

Volunteers may receive food from a food distribution by following the same process as a recipient. This includes recording your information in the household sign in sheet and receiving the same selection and quantity of food. A staff member or site lead must be present to oversee all distributions of food to volunteers. .Volunteers may NOT set aside products for themselves, other volunteers, or recipients during any period of the distribution. Once food is collected by volunteers, it must be placed in either their vehicle or cart immediately.Volunteers who wish to receive food, must volunteer or attend a Public Community Food Distribution and use the same household sign-in sheet as a recipient. The food amount and variety will be the same allocation. A staff member or Site Lead must be present to oversee all distributions of food to volunteers.

 

What is Food Insecurity?  

According to Feeding America, "the USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life." 

Food insecurity can be caused or exacerbated by a multitude of factors, such as: 

  • Local or state-wide socio-economic conditions (e.g. housing costs, inflation, low wages)

  • Personal emergencies, health status, or life situation

  • Historical and/or structural racism

  • Location and lack of access to fresh, healthy, or sufficient food

Anybody can be food insecure, no matter what they look like. What someone wears or what car they drive does not tell you their food security status. 

For more information about food insecurity, learn from trusted sources: