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Volunteer

Check out some of Canada’s most rewarding volunteer opportunities!

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Your time, talent and commitment mean so much to us.

Join our Second Harvest volunteer community!

Find out how you can share your time, talent and passion to help us rescue food and make a real impact.

APPLY TO BE A VOLUNTEER
People spreading awareness on food waste

Administrative Support

Support Second Harvest with general administration, including data entry, research, calling campaigns, outreach and more. Opportunities exist virtually and in-person in Toronto.

People spreading awareness on food waste

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Become a leadership volunteer that networks and represents Second Harvest in local communities across Canada. This requires a commitment of at least six months.

People spreading awareness on food waste

EVENT SUPPORT

Help Second Harvest at a variety of community events across Canada. Volunteer activities include running fun and informative activations, selling tickets, helping with registration, event set up and tear down and more. Volunteers must be 19+ years of age.

People spreading awareness on food waste

Feeding Our Future

The Feeding Our Future program reaches children that do not always have access to healthy food in the summer months. Volunteers help prepare lunches for delivery to children attending summer camps across Toronto.

People spreading awareness on food waste

Food Sort Team Leader

Provide support by facilitating group food sorts and ensuring volunteers have an engaging and educational experience while visiting Second Harvest. This position is based in Toronto.

People spreading awareness on food waste

Food Sorts

Food sorts offer a unique opportunity for groups of 10-50 people to help prepare and pack donated food for delivery to non-profits across the Greater Toronto Area. Teams learn about the impact of community involvement while ensuring Second Harvest partners receive vital donations. They also have the option to add a "Lunch & Learn" component to the food sort.

People spreading awareness on food waste

Helping Hands FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A Helping Hands Food Sort includes sorting and packing food donations, along with a variety of holiday-themed activities, snacks, games and an ugly holiday sweater contest. This volunteer event takes place in Toronto and volunteers must be 12+ years of age.

People spreading awareness on food waste

NOURISHING NOTES

This creative team-building opportunity comes straight to you! As a volunteer team, you will write thoughtful messages to accompany food delivered to agencies with youth programming. Ideal for groups of 10-25 people, this volunteer opportunity takes place year-round at any workplace in Canada.

People spreading awareness on food waste

OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Assist our operations team in distributing surplus food to our network of non-profit organizations. Opportunities include: driver assistant, warehouse assistant, food distribution, food sorters and more. Positions are based in Toronto.

People spreading awareness on food waste

SNACK PACKING

Participate in a custom opportunity to pack snack bags for delivery to non-profits in communities across Canada. This volunteer activity is ideal for group sizes of 10-15 people and takes place in the spring and fall.

People spreading awareness on food waste

Truck Ride-Along

Join a Second Harvest Driver-Ambassador on their delivery route and see first-hand the impact of your support on the local community. This opportunity is reserved for board members and corporate partners.

People spreading awareness on food waste

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking for young leaders, aged 18-25, to join our first-ever Second Harvest National Youth Council to share their unique perspectives on critical issues linking food waste and climate change.

Information Sessions

Join a volunteer information session to find out more about Second Harvest and our upcoming volunteer opportunities. Look for a session in your area and register to attend!

There are no upcoming information sessions at this time. Please check back later.

FAQ

How do I APPLY to be a volunteer?
What Are The Requirements I Need to Meet To Become A Volunteer?
DOES SECOND HARVEST OFFER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA?
Why volunteer at Second Harvest?
I submitted a volunteer application, when can I expect to volunteer?
Do I need a Vulnerable Sector Check to volunteer?
I need to fulfill court-appointed hours. Can I volunteer at Second Harvest?
Do you have evening and weekend volunteer opportunities?
How can I stay informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities?
Can I just drop-in to volunteer?
I'm a high school student and need volunteer hours to graduate. What opportunities do you have for students?
Our company's employees would like to volunteer together. Can we do this?
Will volunteering lead to employment at Second Harvest?
With a Group
As An Individual

Your time, talent and commitment mean so much to us.

Our community of volunteers show their commitment by supporting Second Harvest’s food rescue efforts.

Our volunteers share their time, talent, and experience to make a difference. Join one of the most exciting and rewarding volunteer programs in Canada!

Woman helping people fill out Waiver

Administrative support

Individual

Join our team of behind-the-scenes volunteers who help keep Second Harvest running smoothly. We offer a variety of administrative opportunities including data entry, research, outreach, and fundraising support. Training is provided.

People spreading awareness on food waste

at our events

Individual

Help champion the work we do by representing us at a variety of community events. Promote Second Harvest and food rescue awareness, assist with fundraising by collecting donations, selling tickets, or promoting bidding at silent auction tables. Training is provided. Volunteers must be 19+ years of age.

People spreading awareness on food waste

DOWNLOAD FORM

Individual

Want to share volunteer opportunities with family, friends or colleagues? Download our volunteer opportunities form in PDF which you can send digitally or print out.

People helping in a food waste sort

Food sorts

Corporate

Food sorts are a unique opportunity for groups to help coordinate Second Harvest food donations for delivery to our community partners.

Food sorts are a unique opportunity for groups to help coordinate Second Harvest food donations for delivery to our community partners. Your team will have the opportunity to learn about the impact of community involvement while ensuring our partners receive their vital donations. Group food sorts are reserved for companies that support our work through a minimum contribution of $2,500 per food sort shift.

Shifts: Tuesdays - Thursdays 9:30am - 11:30am or 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Requirements: 5-25 people per shift, 16+ years of age

Location: Second Harvest Warehouse 120 The East Mall, Etobicoke

If you’re interested in booking a food sort, please send an email to volunteer@secondharvest.ca.

You can add here

Kid receiving bag of food

Feeding our future

Corporate

For 8 weeks across July and August, volunteers will prepare lunches for children and youth in summer camps located in neighbourhoods across the GTA facing food insecurity.

Feeding Our Future is a vital initiative designed to combat "Summer Hunger" by providing free lunches to children during the summer months. This program ensures that children who rely on school food programs continue to receive nutritious meals when school is out. Since its inception in 2000, Feeding Our Future has grown to become Canada’s largest free summer lunch program, delivering over 770,000 lunches to thousands of children attending free or subsidized summer camps across the city.

Location: 120 The East Mall, Toronto

Requirements: Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

FAQ

Can I make a large food donation?
Can I get a tax receipt?
What about food safety?
Can any type of food be donated?
What is Second Harvest?
What is Food Rescue?
What is the Second Harvest Food Rescue App?
Where is Second Harvest located?
How do I donate excess food?
What kinds of food can be donated?
Can I drop food off to you?
How can I receive food from Second Harvest?
Do you deliver?
What are the legal implications of giving food away?
Do you accept food donations?
Do you pick up food donations?
What is a corporate partnership?
How can I donate funds to help reduce Food Waste?
How can I gift stocks in Canada?
How can I gift stocks in Canada?
What is a gift-in-kind or in-kind donation?
What is legacy giving?
When should I check food temperature?
How should I transport frozen food?
How should I check the temperature of food?
What is a best-before date or expiry date?
What temperature should frozen food be kept at?
How should I keep track of food temperatures?
What is Food Waste?
How much food is wasted in Canada every year?
Why is Food Waste a problem?
Where does the majority of Food Waste occur?
What difference does donating food make?
Why is there food insecurity in Canada?
Which two food groups are most often wasted?
How do I run a successful fundraising campaign?
What is The Rescue Party?
What is the Second Harvest Truck Pull?
Are food donations tax deductible?
Are gifts-in-kind tax deductible?
What is a charitable tax receipt?
Can a nonprofit issue a tax receipt to a business?
What is the minimum amount I need to donate to receive a tax receipt?
Do you offer Food Safety Training?
How do I get a Food Handler Certificate?
How do I get a Food Safety Certificate?
What does "Food Safety" mean?
What is a Food Safety Certificate?
What is a Food Handler Certificate?
Do I need a Food Safety Certificate?
What is a Food Waste audit and how do I complete one?
How long do our certifications take to complete?
What is food literacy?
How do I APPLY to be a volunteer?
What Are The Requirements I Need to Meet To Become A Volunteer?
DOES SECOND HARVEST OFFER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA?
Why volunteer at Second Harvest?
What is 'surplus food'?
What is 'avoidable Food Waste'?
Is rescued food good to eat?
What liability is involved in making a donation?
What about Food Safety?
Are there donation size limits?
I'm already working with a non-profit. Can I donate to them through Second Harvest?
Can I get a tax receipt?
What kind of commitment does donating food involve?
What kind of commitment does receiving food involve?
What size are the donations?
Can I claim part of a donation?
What types of organizations can join?
I'm already working with a food business. Can I track their donations through Second Harvest?
When can I run my fundraising campaign?
Is there a fundraising minimum?
How long does our campaign run for?
Is there any cost?
Can a Second Harvest representative visit my workplace?
How does our fundraising help Second Harvest?
I submitted a volunteer application, when can I expect to volunteer?
Do I need a Vulnerable Sector Check to volunteer?
I need to fulfill court-appointed hours. Can I volunteer at Second Harvest?
Do you have evening and weekend volunteer opportunities?
How can I stay informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities?
Can I just drop-in to volunteer?
I'm a high school student and need volunteer hours to graduate. What opportunities do you have for students?
Our company's employees would like to volunteer together. Can we do this?
Is the Truck Pull Challenge a public event?
How does Truck Pull work?
How long will Truck Pull last?
How do I participate in the Truck Pull challenge?
What happens after I register my Truck Pull team?
What can I look forward to at the Truck Pull Challenge?
Is there any cost to participate in Truck Pull?
I have a great idea for an event. Who do I contact at Second Harvest?
I haven't finalized all the details of my event, but I'd like Second Harvest to help, what do I do?
Will Second Harvest promote my event to make it more successful?
Can a Second Harvest representative attend my event?
Will Second Harvest reimburse me for any event expenses?
Can Second Harvest help me find sponsors for my event?
Will volunteering lead to employment at Second Harvest?
What is the Truck Pull Challenge?

Upcoming Information Sessions

Join a volunteer information session to find out more about Second Harvest, what we do and current and upcoming volunteer opportunities. Look for an upcoming session in your area and register to attend.

Summer 2024
calgary

Monday June 17, 2024
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm mdt

Register

summer  2024
greater toronto area

June 5, 2024
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET

Register

Upcoming Information Sessions

Join a volunteer information session to find out more about Second Harvest, what we do and current and upcoming volunteer opportunities. Look for an upcoming session in your area and register to attend.

Summer 2024
calgary

Monday June 17, 2024
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm mdt

Register

summer  2024
greater toronto area

June 5, 2024
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET

Register

some of our volunteer opportunities

For more information, please contact us.

Contact us
Woman helping people fill out Waiver

Administrative support

Join our team of behind-the-scenes volunteers who help keep Second Harvest running smoothly. We offer a variety of administrative opportunities including data entry, research, outreach, and fundraising support. Training is provided.

People spreading awareness on food waste

at our events

Help champion the work we do by representing us at a variety of community events. Promote Second Harvest and food rescue awareness, assist with fundraising by collecting donations, selling tickets, or promoting bidding at silent auction tables. Training is provided. Volunteers must be 19+ years of age.

People spreading awareness on food waste

DOWNLOAD FORM

Want to share volunteer opportunities with family, friends or colleagues? Download our volunteer opportunities form in PDF which you can send digitally or print out.

Summer 2024 Greater Toronto Area

June 5, 2024

Online

Register

Summer 2024 Calgary

June 17, 2024

Calgary Stampede, Calgary Alberta

Register

Volunteer Information Session (Spring)

April 10, 2024

Online

Virtual information session to find out about current and upcoming volunteer opportunities. (spring)

This event has passed

Info Sheets

Download info sheets to share with your colleagues and friends

Corporate Volunteer Sheet
Youth Volunteer Sheet
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