Volunteer with us!

Volunteers are an essential part of Foodnet’s team! As a Foodnet volunteer, you will be doing meaningful work that helps our older adult neighbors remain in their homes with well-being, safety, and connection.

All opportunities require sign-up in advance.

Specific volunteer roles may not be available at any given time.

Current Volunteer Needs

Morning Meal Packing

We are looking for a volunteer one weekday per week, long-term (minimum 1 year.) Can be Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Shift is 8:30am - 10:30am.

Notes for Neighbors 2025

Available months: July, August, September, October, November, December

Description of Volunteer Roles

PLEASE NOTE: Minimum one-year commitment is needed for meal packing, office assistance, off-site meal distribution, and board service. This allows for training and the ability to work independently, while ensuring that both the volunteer experience and our programs at Foodnet are enhanced and valued.

Notes for Neighbors and the Mac N Cheese Bowl are one-time commitments.

Meal Packing (on-site)

Assist our staff in the Foodnet kitchen.

Duties:

  • Portion food into containers, chop vegetables, package individual sides for meals.

Requirements:

  • Follow supervisor instructions; work independently and with others

  • Be responsible, respectful, and professional

  • Be part of a fast-paced assembly line while maintaining calm and good humor

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to stand for 2 to 3 hours at a time

Time Commitment:

  • 8:30am-11:00am, 1 to 2 days per week (weekdays only)

Social Dining Helper (on-site)

Location:Titus Towers, 798 South Plain Street, Ithaca.

Duties:

  • Greet diners, prepare the dining room, distribute packaged meals, wipe down tables

Requirements:

  • Be cheerful and respectful, organized and tidy

  • Basic reading and writing

Physical Requirements:

  • Be able to stand and walk while carrying light items or pushing a cart

Time commitment:

  • 10:30am-1:30pm, 1 to 2 days per week (weekdays only)

Notes for Neighbors (off-site)

Hand-write notes of encouragement for clients. This activity is great for groups!

  • Notes are included with a meal delivery on one day of each month.

  • Each volunteer or group takes responsibility for a one-time batch of cards for 300 to 400 clients.

This is an off-site activity. Volunteers provide the cards, write notes, and deliver them to Foodnet as one batch.

To schedule your Notes for Neighbors month, email info@foodnet.org.

Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl (Annual Fundraising Event)

Volunteer at one of the most fun fundraising events ever!

  • Happens on the first Wednesday of May, in the evening, at the Ithaca Farmers Market.

  • Save the Date for our next Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl on May 7, 2025.

  • Various positions. We have need for about 50 volunteers each year.

To be notified when Mac ‘n Cheese signups open, email info@foodnet.org.

For all other questions, please contact: (607) 266-9553 or info@foodnet.org.