Frequently Asked Questions


How do I sign up for a volunteer opportunity?

  • For group opportunities, learn more here!
  • For youth opportunities, learn more here!
  • For individuals in food sort/repack, learn more here!
  • For ongoing and skill-based opportunities, learn more here!


Do you accept groups?

Yes! You can learn more and sign up for a group volunteer experience here.

We can accommodate up to:

  • 25 volunteers per shift on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays
  • 30 volunteers per shift on Wednesdays
  • 21 volunteers per shift on Saturdays


Can anyone volunteer or do you have an age limit?

  • Please visit our Youth Volunteering Info page to learn more.
  • Volunteers must be 12 years or older, and volunteers between the ages of 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of their shift.
  • For every 5 youth, 1 adult should plan to volunteer with the group. To ensure safety, this policy is not flexible.


How do I cancel my volunteer shift?

  • If you are a group coordinator, we ask that you inform us of any changes or cancellations at least 1 week before your volunteer shift.
  • If you are an individual volunteer, we ask that you inform us of any changes or cancellations at least 42 hours before your volunteer shift.


Here's how to cancel your shift using the Volunteer Portal:

  • Log in to your account
  • Click on your initials in the top right-hand corner
  • Choose OPPORTUNITY RESPONSES from the list, you will be brought to your volunteer shift reservation(s)
  • Under the OPTIONS column, Click on SELECT AN ACTION next to the shift you want to change
  • Select UNREGISTER, then click YES to confirm


How do I prepare for my Food Sorting & Repack volunteer shift?


Do you take court-ordered volunteers?

  • Yes, we are happy to verify hours for court-ordered service. You can learn more and sign up for a volunteer shift here.
  • If you need hour verification, please reach out to volunteers@secondharvestsw.org after completing the hours needed. Please note that hour verifications can take up to 5 business days to complete.


Can you confirm service hours?

  • Yes! We can confirm and verify hours for school and other volunteer programs. To receive an hour verification, please reach out to volunteers@secondharvestsw.org after completing the hours needed.
  • Please note that hour verifications can take up to 5 business days to complete.


Can I bring my friend to a shift if they didn't sign up?

  • To keep a well-planned and smooth volunteer experience, we do not allow drop-in volunteers. Our schedule is up to date, so check our opportunities to see if a shift has openings the day before or the day of your shift!


Do you offer presentations or learning opportunities for groups?

  • Is your group interested in deepening your volunteer experience with a presentation or learning opportunity? Contact us at volunteers@secondharvestsw.org or give us a call at 608-216-7214 to learn more!


What are your COVID-19 policies?

  • Masks are optional and available at our front desk at Second Harvest facilities. This is in alignment with our commitment to following CDC guidelines. You are invited to review the Second Harvest COVID Protocol ahead of your shift.


Resources to Deepen Your Volunteer Experience

We at Second Harvest encourage you to reflect on your experience and use the resources below to further your connection to the community:


  • Educate yourself and others about food insecurity and food systems.
  • Food insecurity is a complex issue that isn’t always easy to solve. We’ve linked some resources to help you learn more and reflect on the ways our communities can tackle hunger:
  • Support community through other pathways to services:
    • Second Harvest recognizes that the opportunity to volunteer is not available to everyone in our community. We also thank those who choose to help end food insecurity by means of community organizing, advocacy, philanthropy, voting, and self-education.