Food bank volunteer opportunities near Minneapolis

Last year, 1 out of every 6 people in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were food insecure in 2022. That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said in a statement accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an increase in the number of people they served.

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, Stacker compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Minneapolis using data from VolunteerMatch. Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Spanish Intake Assistant
- Organization: Community Emergency Service
- Read more on website

Regional Director-Minneapolis MN and Minnesota
- Organization: CitiIMPACT
- Read more on website

Sorting Food Shelf Food
- Organization: SOURCE MN INC
- Read more on website

From Foodie to Do Goodie: Cook for a Cause
- Organization: Simpson Housing Services, Inc.
- Read more on website

Food Shelf Generalist
- Organization: Agate Housing and Services
- Read more on website

Every Meal Volunteer Administrative Assistant
- Organization: Every Meal
- Read more on website

Weekday Intake / Reception Assistant (Spanish Speaking)
- Organization: SACA Food Shelf & Thrift Store
- Read more on website

Deliver Meals on Wheels
- Organization: Eastside Meals on Wheels, Inc.
- Dates: Nov 16 to Jan 1
- Read more on website

Bell Ringing
- Organization: The Salvation Army
- Dates: Nov 10 to Dec 23
- Read more on website

Food Shelf Advocate
- Organization: Idealist.org
- Dates: Jul 31 to Dec 29
- Read more on website

Pack Food For Seniors
- Organization: Longfellow/Seward Healthy Seniors
- Read more on website

(55+ Opportunity) Deliver a Hot Meal + Make a Senior's Day!
- Organization: Volunteers of America-MN--RSVP
- Read more on website

Deliver meals to seniors in St. Paul on a weekly or on-call basis!
- Organization: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
- Read more on website

PR/Marketing Internship
- Organization: The Borgen Project
- Read more on website

Make a Dinner Date: Cook a Meal for Kiddos at the Nursery!
- Organization: Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
- Read more on website

Meals on Wheels Kitchen Volunteer
- Organization: Metro Meals on Wheels
- Read more on website

Student Opportunity--Fight Hunger Around America's Breakfast Tables
- Organization: CEREAL4ALL INC
- Read more on website

Food In the 'Hood at Cedar Valley (12-4 pm) - 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month
- Organization: Good in the 'Hood
- Read more on website

Meals on Wheels Frozen Meal Packer
- Organization: CEAP - Community Emergency Assistance Programs
- Read more on website

Veterans Affairs Food Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: Minneapolis VA Health Care System
- Read more on website

Share Holiday Meal, treats, cookies or pies! Bring joy and good tidings!
- Organization: Aeon
- Dates: Dec 20 to Dec 29
- Read more on website

Grocery Shopper - Bloomington - early morning helpers!
- Organization: Help At Your Door
- Dates: Nov 2 to Jan 31
- Read more on website

GROUP ACTIVITY! Packing Home delivered meals In Roseville
- Organization: Optage the Service Division of Presbyterian Homes and Services
- Read more on website

Meals and Snacks for Teens- Eagan
- Organization: TreeHouse
- Read more on website

Food Market Assistant (Beginning in Janurary 2024)
- Organization: Neighborhood House
- Read more on website

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.