volunteer
join us in the fight against hunger & food waste!
— what to expect —
We have individual + group volunteer opportunities
Click the button at the bottom of the page to sign up to be a Second Servings volunteer and to view our monthly schedule!
“second seat” volunteers
Monday through Friday, we have four volunteers who each ride with our experienced food rescue drivers in our refrigerated vans. Throughout the day, the volunteers assist the drivers, as they pick up surplus food from multiple food donors and deliver it to numerous charity sites.
This volunteer opportunity is a fun, eye-opening and active day. You will experience the gratefulness of our food donors and recipients, and be amazed by how much incredible food would have gone to waste, if we weren’t there. Volunteers meet at our office at 8:50 a.m. and generally finish between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Some days are shorter, and others are longer, depending on calls we may receive during the day.
Note: volunteers must be at least 16 years old to ride in our vans and be able to lift up to 30-40 lbs.
food + faith volunteers
The Food & Faith Collaborative is an interfaith organization that provides volunteers for multiple PopUp Grocery Stores every month. Volunteers assist with unloading the food from the vans, arranging the food attractively by category, and assisting the “shoppers” as they make their selections. PopUp Grocery Store volunteering typically lasts around 2 hours, and the dates and times vary throughout the month.
Click HERE to learn more and sign up to volunteer with the Food & Faith Collaborative.
group volunteers + sponsorship
Volunteer as a group to provide a free "grocery shopping experience" to families and seniors in need at a PopUp Grocery Store. The 2-hour volunteer event is best suited for 10-20 participants to help unload rescued groceries, create attractive food displays, and assist shoppers in choosing their items. This team-building experience not only showcases the variety of high-quality foods we rescue, but you'll also witness the direct impact of your efforts on the individuals and families you'll be serving. The sponsored donation helps cover the operating costs of the program.
food rescue event volunteers
Our Food Rescue Squad volunteers help rescue food at special events and food shows at convention centers and other venues throughout Houston. We meet at the event location for the food rescue, which normally takes 1-2 hours at the conclusion of the event. The food rescue squad gathers surplus items from vendors and assists with loading the van. This is a fun, fast-paced opportunity to volunteer with family or small group.
*Food rescue event volunteer opportunities are only available on an occasional, as needed basis.