St. James Food Pantry recruits volunteers throughout the year. Over 500 volunteers help with various social care programs at St. James.
Volunteers are needed for our morning food distribution, our lunch program that serves people without housing, and delivery of food to homebound seniors and disabled persons. In addition to volunteers that help with the day-to-day activities of the pantry, there is need for one-time volunteers for several holiday events that serve the less fortunate in our neighborhood. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving a luncheon is held for seniors and others who have no other place to go. During the Christmas season St. James collects gifts and gift cards for neighbors and pantry clients. On Christmas Day, St. James hosts a luncheon for people without housing. Additional volunteers are needed throughout the holiday season to assist in organizing and distributing gifts and food.
To volunteer contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 312-842-1919 ext. 214.
Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunities
Pantry Volunteer
Receive and store food deliveries
Time: Mondays - 10:00AM - 2:00PM, lifting involved
Client intake - Pantry (computer experience required)
Time: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 8:45AM - 11:30AM
Client intake - Lunch (computer experience required)
Time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 12:45PM - 3:15PM
Assist shoppers during their shopping experience
Time: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 8:30AM - 12:30PM
Stock shelves (lifting involved)
Time: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 8:30AM - 12:30PM
Prepare sandwiches for lunch program
Time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Set up and distribute lunch
Time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 12:00PM - 3:15PM
Food Delivery to Homebound Seniors and Disabled Persons
Contact food delivery clients for food preferences
Time: Mondays through Thursdays - 9:00AM - 12:00PM, Monday through Wednesday 1:00PM - 3:00PM**
Pack bags with client food choices
Time: Mondays 9:00AM - 3:00PM, Tuesday through Thursday - 1:00PM - 3:00PM**
Update client records and services (computer skills required)
Time: Tuesdays - 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Load and deliver food to home delivery clients using pantry van (lifting involved)*
Time: Wednesdays, Thursdays - 10:00AM - 1:00PM
* Drivers should be comfortable driving a cargo van.
** Volunteers can choose shifts during any of the times listed.
Fresh Produce Distribution on Second Saturday of Month
Assist clients with shopping
Set up site for food distribution
Break down cardboard boxes and clean up site
Time: Every Second Saturday of month - 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Receive Food Delivery From Sharing Parishes
Carry food from street into pantry and shelve it (heavy lifting involved)
Time: Third Sunday of the month - 11:00AM - 1:30PM
Fundraising Volunteers
Each spring, St. James Food pantry hosts a fundraiser called Jazzin' to Feed to raise vital funds for the food Pantry. Many volunteers are needed for this event.
In addition, St. James Food Pantry applies for grants to help fund its Programs. If you have professional grant writing or fundraising and development experience, St. James Food Pantry needs your expertise!
