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Volunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of Arlington EATS. Without them, we could not run our programs and fulfill our mission. In 2021, volunteers gave over 9,500 hours of their time, distributing over 28,000 bags of food and serving 749 households. We love our volunteers!
To volunteer please fill out our volunteer application. We’ll contact you to get started. Current volunteers may login to their existing Volunteer Gopher account to sign up for volunteer shifts.
Volunteer as an Individual
The Market
There are many opportunities to serve at the Arlington EATS Market. Volunteers are needed to help shoppers at our markets, unload the delivery truck, pack food bags, deliver food, and process donations. Lifting items weighing 10-50 pounds may be required. All shifts currently take place at Saint John’s Church, 74 Pleasant Street (Office entrance).
Volunteers must be 16 or older to volunteer at our in person Market. For all other activities, 13-15 year olds may volunteer with a parent or guardian. Please see below to learn more about each type of shift and their requirements.
Other EATS volunteer opportunities include; Hotline Callers, Delivery Drivers, and Interpreters. Please contact Natasha Strom at nstrom@arlingtoneats.org for more information.
Snack Preparation
Arlington EATS makes snacks available for any student who is hungry during the school day. Snack preparation includes packing school approved snacks. Please contact Natasha at nstrom@arlingtoneats.org to find out how you can help or contact the Snack Ambassador at your child’s school.
Vacation Week and Summer Lunch Programs
School vacations can be stressful for households who count on school meals to keep their kids fed. From serving food on the buffet line to restocking supplies, setting up the beverage center to taking out the trash, we need lots of help to make our February, April and Summer Vacation Lunches run smoothly. Check back in June to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Volunteers must be 16 or older to volunteer at our Markets. For all other volunteer activities, 13-15 year olds may volunteer with a parent or guardian. Younger than that? Here are some great ideas of other ways to help.
- Host a food drive at your school or place of work. These are the items we most frequently need.
- Host a lemonade stand/car wash/crowdfunding campaign. Email us for promotional help with your fundraiser!
- Ask for donations in place of gifts for a birthday party. A great way to do this is by creating a fundraiser on Facebook to benefit Arlington EATS.
- Create a “giving tree” where people can take tags with donation options. Make a tree with wish items, “10 boxes of cereal,” “4 large packs of toilet paper” etc.
Organize a Neighborhood Food Drive!
Want to make a bigger impact by engaging your community in food drives? Get inspired to do a one-time food drive by checking out this easy guide. Want to keep up the good work all year long? Follow the lead of neighborhood groups, Good Teel and Kelwyn Cares, and organize your neighbors for a monthly food drive!
One Time Food Drive Guide
Monthly Neighborhood Donation Group Guide
Food Drive Poster Color
Food Drive Poster B&W
Volunteer or Donate
Unfortunately, hunger is part of life in Arlington. Arlington EATS relies upon people like you to ensure there is food for all Arlington residents.