Here are some of the most common volunteer questions.
If you don’t find the information you’re looking for on this page, please email volunteer@opencupboard.org or call 651-233-1296.
How do I sign up to volunteer?
After you submit your volunteer application, to sign up for a shift, just log in to Volgistics.
When signing up for a volunteer shift, be sure to check the shift title for important information about where you are signing up. The shift title will contain the information on what you will be doing, as well as the address, so make sure to check out the location and job information in the title.
What is the difference between signing up for Drive-Up versus Today’s Harvest?
Our Drive-Up program occurs twice a week. Clients use their vehicles to pick up pre-bagged food. If you sign up for a Drive-Up shift, you could be bagging food, helping in the backroom or loading food into people’s cars.
Our Today’s Harvests are indoor shopping markets. Clients are able to pick out their own food. If you sign up for a Today’s Harvest shift, you could be helping clients in the market, restocking food, or sorting through our food rescue.
Is there a volunteer orientation?
During your first volunteer shift, you will be given a tour of the building and an explanation of what jobs you will be doing during your shift.
We offer an optional in-depth orientation for any volunteer who is interested on Mondays from 2:00-2:45pm and Wednesdays from 10:00am-10:45am at Today’s Harvest Oakdale South & Open Cupboard – 8264 4th St N, Oakdale. We offer orientation on Tuesdays at 2:30 pm at Today’s Harvest Oakdale North – 5703 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale.
You will need to complete an application before you can sign up for our orientation. You can complete the application here. To sign up for the orientation, log into Volgistics (our volunteer platform) and look for a shift called “New Volunteer Orientation.”
If you aren’t able to attend an orientation, you can watch this short video before your first volunteer shift at Today’s Harvest so you have an idea of how the market works and what to expect before you arrive.
What are each positions responsibilities?
We offer a variety positions for both Drive-Up and Today’s Harvest. Please note that these are not the full list of responsibilities of each shift, but are designed to show what is generally expected.
Backroom Help: helps pack/sort meat and bread, empties trash, breaks down cardboard. Does require heavy lifting.
Drive-Up Assistant: helps load food into cars, assists with our Choice Rack
Drive-Up Intake: asks each client our intake questions. If you are interested in learning Intake, please contact shannon@opencupboard.org
Drive-Up Sorting and Packing Generalist: helps sort/pack produce and deli bags for our Drive-Up service, may help sort produce for Today’s Harvest
Today’s Harvest Market Prep: helps set up the market before clients arrive, sorts through produce, deli, dairy, meat, and bakery
Today’s Harvest Market Restocking: helps restock the market while it is open, restocks fridges, produce tables, freezers, and bakery sections
Today’s Harvest Market Shopping Assistant: helps clients shop through the store and aids in the check out process, explains how Today’s Harvest works
How do I know which location I am signed up for?
When you sign up for a volunteer shift, each position will have the location listed. Please be sure to note which location you are signing up for.
Our South Oakdale Location (8264 4th St N, Oakdale) has both Today’s Harvest and Open Cupboard Drive-Up positions available.
Our North Oakdale Location (5703 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale) has only Today’s Harvest positions.
You will also receive a reminder email 2 days before your volunteer shift, including the location and directions for your volunteer site.
How long do volunteer shifts last?
Most shifts last two to four hours. You will be able to take a break if you need to.
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
You must be age 15 or older (with parent permission if you are under 18) to volunteer at Open Cupboard.
What are the physical requirements?
Most volunteer shifts require you to be on your feet on a concrete floor for at least two hours. You should be able to lift 20-25 pounds.
If you have any limitations but are still interested in volunteering, contact volunteer@opencupboard.org and we can find a volunteer role that works for you.
How often do I need to volunteer?
We ask all volunteers to commit to volunteering at least twice a month or more.
Volunteering at Open Cupboard involves some training, and sometimes it can take a day or so for volunteers to become completely comfortable with the process. Also, the process may change, so volunteering more often helps you stay up to date on how things work.
What should I wear when I volunteer?
All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes for safety. You should dress comfortably for your shift in clothes that you can move around in.
If you have signed up for our Drive-Up service, you will be outside so please dress accordingly!
Do you have one-time or group volunteer opportunities available?
We have volunteer opportunities for groups of 8 people or less.
Your group would work together to stock, restock, and run our Today’s Harvest market. We also occasionally have opportunities for groups to volunteer together on special projects or at our mobile food shelf events.
Find more information on group volunteering here.