Work in the Loaves & Fishes Phone Center

Phone center volunteers receive all phone referrals from social service agencies and schools. The social worker screens the clients and determines whether the client truly needs the emergency food. The phone center volunteer simply takes the information on the client, checks the database for eligibility and inputs the information into the database. The pantries are notified of each referral.

• The phone center is open Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.
• Volunteers work a three hour shift, 9-12, 10-1 or 1-4.
• Volunteers can work once a week or once a month!

Volunteer in a Loaves & Fishes Pantry

Of the 16 pantries across Charlotte, we have 12 full pantries that require volunteers to run the shifts. Five of the pantries are mini pantries located at Crisis Assistance, DSS, Jewish Community Center, and Metrolina Aids Project. The pantry volunteers prepare grocery orders for our clients based on a bagging list designed by a nutritionist. This is a great way to be face to face with families in need and enjoy time with other volunteers. There is probably a pantry near your work or home!

CLICK HERE to see pantry locations and hours of operation.

Be a Part of our Delivery Crew

Each week, we purchase and deliver perishable foods to our 16 pantries. The orders arrive Tuesday and Thursday morning and the delivery route usually takes about three to four hours. Volunteers work with a staff person to make deliveries. Individuals can sign up to help at their convenience, once a week, once a month or more often.

CLICK HERE for a map to our warehouse.

Group Opportunities

Loaves & Fishes welcomes groups of up to 15 people to work in the warehouse doing a variety of activities. On occasion we can accommodate groups larger than 15. Please contact the volunteer coordinator for details.

Help Loaves & Fishes with Special Events

Loaves & Fishes receives enormous support from the community. Several times a year we have food drives that provide the majority of our food for the pantries. Volunteers are always needed before, during and after such events. The events are:

• Annual February Food and Fund Drives – Annually, lasting a week around Valentine’s Day, we set up locations across town for people to bring donations for Loaves & Fishes. Traditionally, the Boy Scouts kick off the event with a Saturday event, going door to door for canned food. We need volunteers to staff the trucks at the donation sites. This is a great volunteer group project.
• National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive – Each year in May, the local letter carriers collect food for Loaves & Fishes while on their regular route. We need volunteers to follow the letter carriers on their route. Good for groups or families. Immediately following the drive, we need volunteers to sort food at the warehouse.
• Thanksgiving Food Drive – Local schools and churches coordinate drives for Loaves & Fishes. Volunteers can help by driving pick up routes from churches and schools.

Conduct a Food Drive

Organize a food drive at your work, neighborhood, or congregation. This is a great way to give back to the community and to raise awareness.

Click here for step by step instructions on how to conduct a food drive.