Volunteer FAQs
I submitted an inquiry, now what?
Your inquiry has been sent to NTFB staff. You will be contacted within 4 business days regarding your submission.
Do I need to sign up to volunteer ahead of time?
Yes. Due to safety precautions, we are only able to accept a limited number of volunteers during each volunteer shift. Please wait to hear back from our staff on availability before attending any volunteer shifts.
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
Minimum age requirements vary by opportunity. Please refer to this question listed under the opportunity that interests you.
May I come to NTFB as a court-appointed or community restitution volunteer?
NTFB is not able to verify court-appointed or community restitution service hours. For a list of agencies that do provide this service, please contact the Volunteer Center of North Texas.
Where will I go for my Distribution Center Shift?
All Distribution Center volunteer shifts will be held at our Perot Family campus, located at 3677 Mapleshade Plano, Texas 75075.
What are the Distribution Center shift times?
Distribution Center shifts are Friday-Saturday 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. NTFB closes promptly at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays; please make transportation arrangements accordingly
I need to volunteer the entire time period or may I arrive late?
In order to maintain maximum efficiency in the Distribution Center, we ask that volunteers arrive promptly at 8:45 a.m. for morning shifts and 12:45 p.m. for afternoon shifts. We also ask that volunteers stay for an entire shift. In some circumstances, exceptions can be made with sufficient notice.
Can this volunteer time count towards my community service hours?
Yes, the receptionist at the front desk can sign your school/work/faith-based/service team document or can provide you with a North Texas Food Bank community service form after your shift. If you forget to do this, please follow up with us via email at volunteer@ntfb.org. Please allow 4 business days for our staff to verify your time and respond.
Where should I park?
At the Perot campus, volunteers may park in the front or side parking spots. If no spots are available, volunteers can also look for spots in the back of the building.
Is the campus accessible from the DART bus line?
Yes, our Perot Family Distribution Center is accessible via the DART bus line. Please visit dart.org to find the best route to our location. For the Perot Family campus, search Perot Family and Loop 12.
Can I volunteer straight through lunch?
Because our Distribution Center staff breaks for lunch from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m, volunteers are not permitted on the Distribution Center floor during that time. Due to space limitations at our facility, we recommend volunteers visit the restaurants along Perot Family Road for lunch options. If you would like to reserve a lunch space at PFC, please contact adminpro@ntfb.org.
How many volunteer spots are available for each shift?
Capacity for each Distribution Center shift is at approximately 60 but may vary at different times during the year. Shifts are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
The North Texas Food Bank Perot Family Campus welcomes volunteers starting at age 16. No chaperone required.
What should I wear to volunteer?
Distribution Center volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes. Volunteers wearing open-toe shoes will not be permitted into the Distribution Center.
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
The minimum age to volunteer for the North Texas Food Bank Mobile Pantry program is 16.
What should I wear to volunteer?
Please wear close-toed shoes and dress comfortably for the weather, as our Mobile Pantry volunteers work primarily outdoors.
What is the minimum age to volunteer with Cooking Matters?
The minimum age to volunteer for Cooking Matters is 18 years.
Can I be a volunteer chef for Cooking Matters?
Yes, you can. However, volunteer chefs need to either have a culinary degree, be enrolled at a culinary school, have several years of restaurant experience or be actively working as a chef.
Can I be a volunteer Nutrition Instructor for Cooking Matters?
Yes, you can. However, Nutrition Instructors need to have or be currently working toward a degree in nutrition, food science, dietetics or a related field. Nutrition Instructors may also be working as a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian.
What should I bring with me to an NTFB Partner Garden?
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sunglasses
- Hat/visor
- Water
Who gets the produce gleaned from an NTFB Partner Garden?
Select NTFB Partner Agencies receive this produce and provide it to their clients.
What is the minimum age to volunteer with an NTFB?
Children must be at least 10 to volunteer, and all minors should be accompanied by an adult. There should be at least one adult for every three minors.
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
The minimum age to volunteer as an administrative volunteer is 16 years.
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
The minimum age to volunteer for NTFB Special Events can vary by event, but generally, all Special Event volunteers must be 16 or older. The specific age requirement for each event will be listed in the volunteer recruitment.
What should I wear to volunteer for a Special Event?
Special Events volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate attire. In some cases, NTFB may provide a branded t-shirt to wear.