More than 1.4 million visits are made to food pantries, meal sites, and shelters in Pierce County each year.
VOLUNTEER PORTAL
Have you created your MyVolunteerPage account?
All volunteers, both returning and new, need to create a MyVolunteerPage account.
VOLUNTEERING AT THE REPACK PROJECT
Repack Project volunteers transform bulk food shipments into family-sized portions that are ready to help feed the community! At our Lakewood Distribution Center, you and your fellow volunteers might find yourselves bagging up oats, pasta, or rice or packing local produce bags for our Home Delivery recipients. Once repackaged the food is ready to go out to the 75+ Pierce County food pantries, meal sites, and shelters that we serve.
The Repack Project is designed for teams of 8-15 volunteers. You can reserve a session just for your group or join other community members during a scheduled session for Individuals and Families.
VOLUNTEERING AT MOTHER EARTH FARM
It would not be possible to provide this fresh food option to our neighbors in need without the help of volunteers! Volunteers work with EFN staff year-round at Mother Earth Farm to ensure that we can continue to grow delicious, nutritious fruits and vegetables for our neighbors.
In the spring, volunteers at the farm assist with seeding, weeding, composting, and irrigation. In the summer and fall, the focus is on weeding and harvesting.
Not sure what to expect when volunteering at Mother Earth Farm? Check out the video!
Adopt-a-Row
Adopt-a-Row at EFN’s Mother Earth Farm! Groups, businesses, friends, school groups, clubs, churches, neighborhood associations, youth organizations, or even large families can Adopt-a-Row.
Volunteers experience the whole growing process on a bed of soil reserved just for them! They help plant seeds in the spring, tend the rows in the summer, and then harvest the bounty throughout the season.
Requirements
- Nurture a predetermined number of rows at EFN’s Mother Earth Farm, including seeding, planting, weeding, and harvesting
- Volunteer 1-2 times per month between March and September
- 8-15 people per volunteer session
Benefits
- A sign at the farm with your company or group name
- Featured in our monthly eNewsletter, social media platforms, and website
- Gained knowledge on the processes of organic farming from our experienced farm managers
- Opportunity for team building, camaraderie, and fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
We encourage everyone in the group to try to come to the same orientation. After orientation, you do not need to bring the entire group each time. If you have 5 people who can come out to plant or weed, then it will take you longer to finish but it’s still manageable. Having a group of 8 allows you to rotate your members for those that can only come out once a month and for those that want to come out every time!
We encourage all volunteers in a group to attend the same orientation but it is not mandatory. The orientation with the most people from the group will be the ones to make their sign and plant the seeds.
The Adopt-a-Row program is perfect for families and youth groups! However, for safety reasons, we do have a few guidelines in place when volunteering with youth at the farm. We ask all volunteers to remember this is a working farm that operates tractors and uses sharp tools.
Ages 15 and Under: Youth age 15 and under need to volunteer with an adult.
Ages 16 and 17: Volunteers age 16 – 17 can volunteer without an adult but will need to bring a signed Parental Consent Form.
Adult / youth ratio for families, schools, and youth groups:
Ages 0 – 6: Youths age 0 – 6 need to have a 1:1 youth and adult ratio.
Ages 7 – 12: Youths age 7 – 12 need to have a 1:4 youth and adult ratio.
Ages 13 – 15: Youths age 13-15 need to have a 1:8 youth and adult ratio.
Please contact our Volunteer and Activities Coordinator at (253) 584-1040 or email volunteer@efoodnet.org.
VOLUNTEERING WITH THE HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM
In order to ensure distribution of food to the most vulnerable in our community, EFN launched a program to support home delivery, serving those community members who have barriers to accessing their local food pantries. The Home Delivery program relies on Volunteer Drivers to deliver boxes/bags full of fresh, nutritious food from EFN’s Distribution Center to homes all over Pierce County. Home Delivery distribution takes place on Tuesday and Friday mornings. We are currently seeking volunteers ready to serve as ‘on call’ drivers, with the possibility for regularly scheduled driving, as well. To sign up as an ‘on call’ driver, please visit the Volunteer Portal.
FAQ
Repack Project: 12 years old. Youth age 15 and under need to volunteer with a parent/guardian.
Mother Earth Farm: No minimum age! Youth age 15 and under need to volunteer with an adult. We ask all volunteers to remember this is an operational farm with uneven ground, tractors, and sharp tools.
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- Adult / youth ratio for families, schools, and youth groups:
- Ages 0 – 6: Youths age 0 – 6 need to have a 1:1 youth and adult ratio.
- Ages 7 – 12: Youths age 7 – 12 need to have a 1:4 youth and adult ratio.
- Ages 13 – 15: Youths age 13-15 need to have a 1:8 youth and adult ratio.
Home Delivery Volunteer Drivers: 18 years old.