Food bank volunteer opportunities near Philadelphia

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 Philadelphia 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.

Regional Director-Philadelphia
- Organization: CitiIMPACT
- Read more on website

Support individuals experiencing homelessness!
- Organization: Bethesda Project
- Read more on website

Home Cook Heroes Program
- Organization: Gift of Life Howie's House
- Read more on website

IVC: Seeking Philadelphia/S.Jersey Adults
- Organization: Ignatian Volunteer Corps
- Read more on website

Food Distribution Assistant
- Organization: Philly Peace In Progress
- Dates: Oct 9 to Dec 31
- Read more on website

Drivers Needed - Deliver Food to Seniors in South Philly!
- Organization: SEAMAAC
- Read more on website

Food Rescue Volunteer Driver
- Organization: SHARE Food Program
- Read more on website

Grant writer/fundraiser
- Organization: FEAST FOR FRIENDS
- Read more on website

Guest Resource Liaison - Feast of Justice
- Organization: Hunger Free America
- Read more on website

Help a Neighbor in the Glenolden, PA area with a Homemade Meal
- Organization: Lasagna Love
- Read more on website

Rescued Produce Sorting at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market
- Organization: Sharing Excess
- Read more on website

FAWN Food Pantries
- Organization: Turning Points for Children
- Read more on website

Deliver Homebound Meals to Seniors!
- Organization: Senior Community Services
- Read more on website

"Choice Market" Food Pantry at Feast of Justice!
- Organization: FEAST OF JUSTICE
- Dates: Dec 1 to Jan 31
- Read more on website

Toy Distribution ONLY
- Organization: Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc.
- Date: Dec 21
- Read more on website

Regional Director
- Organization: The Borgen Project
- Read more on website

Food Pantry Volunteers
- Organization: RSVP
- Read more on website

Alleviate a Family's Hunger - Pack Grocery Bags in Elkins Park
- Organization: Mitzvah Food Program, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
- Read more on website

Help Seniors - Cafe Server
- Organization: Surrey Services
- Read more on website

Kitchen Assistant
- Organization: CRANALEITH SPIRITUAL CENTER
- Read more on website

PR/ Marketing Intern and/or Volunteer
- Organization: Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia
- 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.