Volunteer Your Time
Volunteer YOUR TIME
SIGN-UP HERE
Returning volunteers sign back into the VOLUNTEER CERVIS PORTAL.
With two locations and a variety of shifts available, we have plenty to offer individuals, groups and organizations looking to give back to the community. Volunteering at River City Food Bank provides people the opportunity to work together towards and common goal and have an immediate, positive impact on someone’s day.
There’s a role for everyone!
√ Our Arden and Midtown sites host individuals as well as groups of up to 8 people.
√ Groups are defined as three or more individuals from a workplace, organization, church, or similar entity.
√ Families interested in volunteering should use the individual application to create accounts for each member.
If you are interested in scheduling a group opportunity, please complete the Group Requests form.
Help us serve more than 2.9 million meals per year! In 2024, River City Food Bank volunteers dedicated more than 30,397 hours to sort, organize, and distribute grocery food items, help with client intake, computer data entry and support administrative activities and education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up to volunteer?
All volunteers are required to make a volunteer profile on our website, or by clicking here. Once you’ve created a profile, you can choose any of the shifts that work for your schedule. As a reminder, we have multiple shifts per day. Read the shift descriptions and view our volunteer schedule here.
If you’d like more information on how to sign-up for volunteer shifts, see this video.
Can I sign up for multiple shifts?
Yes! We encourage volunteers to sign up for shifts in advance so they can ensure their volunteer spot. To sign up for multiple shifts at once view the open volunteer opportunities, click all the dates you’d like, and confirm by clicking the “Register” button.
You can also sign up for multiple shifts per day if you’d like to volunteer for the entire day.
What if I need to cancel a shift?
You can cancel your shift through your confirmation email, on your volunteer profile, or by contacting the Volunteer Coordinator.
Do I need to wear a mask if I am vaccinated?
Masks are no longer required indoors for all staff and volunteers; however they are highly encouraged. We are following state and local guidelines. If you would like a mask, one can be provided to you.
What if I have physical limitations?
A typical volunteer shift requires volunteers to stand for at least 2 hours. While not required, volunteers may be asked to lift, push, or pull 20+ pounds. Please notify staff of any physical restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate them.
How Do I Sign Up as a student volunteer?
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Can I bring my kids to volunteer with me?
Youth volunteers aged 10-14 must be accompanied by an adult during a volunteer shift. Volunteers aged 15 and up are welcome to come on their own. Unfortunately, we are unable to host those under the age of 10 due to safety concerns.
All volunteers, including kids, need to have a volunteer profile to sign up for shifts. Please see “How can I add a volunteer to my profile?” for more information.
How can I add a volunteer to my profile?
In your volunteer profile, you can click “Add an Additional Volunteer to My Profile” under the Profile Management section.
Additional volunteers can be family members, or even friends. You should only add volunteers to your profile if you plan to sign them up for shifts, and they will be connected to your email address and password login.
Is there a required volunteer training before I start?
Yes! Please check out this short volunteer orientation video:
There is also a required Civil Rights Training for each volunteer to complete once a year. You can complete this through your profile or fill out a paper version during your first volunteer shift.
Can I complete court-mandated service hours?
We are in partnership with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department’s Alternative Sentencing Program. If you have court-appointed community service hours to complete, please make sure to notify us when you sign up for a volunteer shift. If two scheduled shifts are missed, your service will be terminated.
How do I use the volunteer platform, CERVIS?
CERVIS has a number of how-to videos on its YouTube page. You can find answers to things like registering for events, printing volunteer history, using the sign-in console, and more!
What ages can volunteer?
Volunteers must be 15 years or older to volunteer independently. Volunteers ages 10-14 must be supervised by an adult. We cannot accommodate children younger than 10 years old at this time.
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This is an equal opportunity institution.