Volunteer
We feed more than 70,000 people each week with the help of our volunteers. Just an hour or two of your time once a week, once a month or once a year can make a big difference.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering at the Food Bank
What volunteer opportunities are available at the Food Bank
Scroll down to see the many opportunities we have available for volunteers.
What hours can I volunteer?
Hours to sort and repackage donated food or other grocery items:
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon and 1 - 3 p.m.
Monday - Thursday, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. or 6 - 8 p.m.
Saturday mornings, 9a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.
Our Culinary Center hours (must have at least a temporary or Volunteer Food Handler's permit):Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday nights, 5:30-8 p.m.
The second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 10 a.m.-noon
Where are you located?
We are at 1304 N. Kenosha Ave in Tulsa, six blocks from the intersection of Pine and North Peoria in the Lansing Business Park. Click here for directions.
What is my first step if I want to volunteer?
First-time individual volunteers need to e-mail our Director of Volunteer Services, Kate Pelizzoni with a date and time he or she wishes to volunteer at least 24 hours in advance of the day they want to volunteer. Groups (a volunteer group must have eight volunteers or more) wanting to volunteer need to email her at least one week in advance.
Do I have to fill out any paperwork?
All FIRST-TIME volunteers must submit a completed Food Bank Volunteer Application Form. Volunteers should bring their completed, signed and dated form with them the first time they volunteer.
Is there an age requirement for volunteering?
We are a ‘kid-friendly’ organization and chaperoned volunteers as young as 11 can sort and repackage donated grocery items as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Volunteers 16 years of age and older need no adult chaperone. Volunteers working in the Culinary Center need to be 18 years or older.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Volunteer Opportunities at the Food Bank
Sort and Repackage Donated Food and Other Grocery Items 
Donated food is sorted and repackaged in our Product Recovery Room before it is distributed to our Partner Programs.
Our Product Recovery Room hours:
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon and 1 - 3 p.m.
Monday - Thursday, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. or 6 - 8 p.m.
Saturday mornings, 9a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.
Help in the Culinary Center 
If you've ever wanted to work in a commercial kitchen, here's your chance. Tasks range from ingredient preparation, to cleaning and paring fresh produce, to cooking and baking, to helping with our catering events. You must be 18 years or older and have at least a Temporary Food Handler's Permit to work in the Culinary Center.
Our Culinary Center hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday Nights until 8 p.m.
The 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month
from 10 a.m. - Noon
Assist with Special Events
By participating in Food Bank special events you can have fun and help out at events such as Empty Bowls in April, National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive in May, Panera Hunger Run in June and many more.
Help Fill Food for Kids Backpacks
This program helps ensure that elementary school-aged children don't go hungry over the weekends when free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches aren't available. Adult groups of 15-20 are ideal to pack food for the backpacks.
Agency Visits
Volunteers are needed to visit Food Bank member agencies throughout our 24-county service area. We visit each agency once every two years to make sure information is up to date and the programs comply with Food Bank requirements. You can choose which areas and agencies to visit and schedule the visits at your convenience. You can make as many or as few visits as you like. We offer a brief orientation and training for volunteers monitors.
Help with Bulk Mailings
Join fellow volunteers the third Thursday of every month and lend a hand with a bulk mail project. Hours are 9 a.m. - Noon and 1 - 4 p.m.
Pick Produce 
Oftentimes farmers and other produce growers open up their fields for us to pick their leftover crops. If you like to work outdoors during the growing season picking fresh, nutritious produce, then this is the opportunity for you.
Provide Clerical Assistance
We always need help with general administrative tasks, such as data entry and filing, and other special projects.
Serve on a Committee
Put your creativity, vision and enthusiasm to work by helping develop programs from the ground up in the following areas: Special Events, Culinary Center, Children's Programs and Volunteers.
To schedule a volunteer shift for a group or individual, please contact: Phyllis Holmes, Resource Development Administrative Assistant
pholmes@cfbeo.org or (918) 936-4545.
To schedule someone to come talk to your group about volunteering, please contact:
Kate Pelizzoni, Director of Volunteer Services
kpelizzoni@cfbeo.org or (918) 936-4512.