Enjoy camaraderie and community service, plus rack up some community credit for your student.
Volunteer with Houston Food Bank at their Main Warehouse location where Columbia Club has reserved 30 spaces of which 10 are for youth and 20 are for adults.
Step 1 ... RSVP so we know to look for you. A cell phone number will help us keep up with you at the warehouse.
Step 2 ... Create/update the required profile at the Food Bank:
Step 3 ... Print out your registration form with its bar code to speed your check-in.
Step 4 ... Review the Food Bank's restrictions for age participation and dress, below.
Step 5 ... Plan to wear an identifiable Columbia shirt, jacket or hat OR to have an easy-to-spot tag or sign that says COLUMBIA.
Step 6 ... Arrive by 7:45 am, allowing enough time to walk from the Food Bank's remote parking, if necessary.
Step 7 ... Locate the Columbia group in the Cafeteria/Waiting area near the main front entrance.
Step 8 ... Enjoy a fun morning with your fellow club members.
If you arrive late or without identification, it may be difficult to connect with other club members because hundreds of people show up to volunteer. We recommend these 8 steps so you can maximize your fun. Contact Robert Blair, [email protected] if you have questions about the steps.
If you have questions about the Food Bank's registration process, please contact the Houston Food Bank's volunteer team at [email protected] or [email protected].
SPECIAL NOTES from HOUSTON FOOD BANK:
• Volunteers MUST be at least 6 years old and supervised by parent or guardian throughout the shift.
• All volunteers under the age of 18 also need a completed Youth Volunteer Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian. A copy of this form can be downloaded by clicking the RESOURCES tab on your Volunteer Profile page.
• Please plan to arrive at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled volunteer shift so you can check in, receive instructions and start on time. If you arrive after the start of your shift, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for orientation and assignment. If members of your group arrive late, we cannot guarantee they will be able to join you in your assigned project area.
Description of Duties
Varies with the makeup volunteers for shift. Most of the projects at the warehouse involve inspection, sorting, and repackaging of donated food items for community distribution.
Address: 535 Portwall St. on the East Side in 77029. Directions from Downtown: Take IH-10 east and exit Gellhorn St. (exit #774). Make a U-turn at Gellhorn, stay on feeder and turn right on Portwall St.
Parking Information
If space permits it, you may park in the front parking lot, but in the event of a large volunteer turnout, you may be directed to our overflow lot located behind the building.
Attire Information
How to Dress? Closed-toe shoes REQUIRED - smashed toes are no fun, so we strongly enforce this safety precaution. Casual dress, long pants (preferred), t-shirt with sleeves.
Important tips and reminders for your upcoming volunteer shift:
For your safety, personal belongings are not allowed in project areas: Due to limited locker space, we ask that you lock your purse, jackets, backpacks and any other valuables in your vehicle before checking-in.
Special needs? Just let us know: If you require any special accommodations just let us know before your volunteer shift so we can plan accordingly.