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Since 1983, Food Bank For New York City has served as one of the city's major hunger-relief organizations working
to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. Our mission is to empower every New Yorker to achieve food security for good.
Below is key information from our volunteer code of conduct that all volunteers should have on hand.
Questions? Contact our Volunteer Engagement Team at volunteer@foodbanknyc.org.
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Expectations in Advance of a Project
- All volunteers must sign up for a project ahead of time, online on the Volunteer Portal or by email with a member of Volunteer Engagement.
- Volunteers cannot bring guests with them for a project unless Volunteer Engagement has given prior approval or they have registered on the Volunteer Portal.
- Food Bank For New York City reserves the right to turn away any volunteers who were not pre-registered for a shift at the start of a project.
- Volunteers need to perform the activities described on the Volunteer Portal and as instructed by the project lead or Food Bank staff. If a volunteer’s abilities are not suited to a project, we can assist you in finding a better fit.
Expectations in Advance of a Project
- Should you be unable to make it to a project, you are required to remove yourself from the project online 24 hours or more before the project.
- If you fail to cancel your volunteer registration and/or if you are over 30 minutes late for three (3) or more projects in a six (6) month period you will receive a warning email from the Volunteer Engagement Team.
- Failure to cancel your volunteer registration and/or arrive 30 minutes or later following the receipt of a warning email will result in a temporary suspension of your account for six (6) months.
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Expectations During a Project
- Volunteers should arrive on time and stay for the duration of the project.
- Food Bank asks that volunteers serve to the best of their abilities.
- Volunteers should be mindful of the clients we serve and treat them in a compassionate, patience, dignified manner.
- Volunteers should be prepared to be as flexible as possible when performing different tasks. The need of a project can change at any given moment during a shift, and our project lead or Food Bank staff may need you to switch tasks upon request.
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Expectations During a Project
- Volunteers may not use their participation with Food Bank to promote other affiliations outside of Food Bank.
- Volunteers are asked not to take photos of clients or products.
- While on a project, volunteers must not engage in the following:
- Discriminatory or racist statements or behaviors
- Sexual harassment, including but not limited to jokes, innuendos, sexist remarks, the display of derogatory pictures, leering, touching, or kissing
- The use of any alcohol or drugs
- Any unlawful or inappropriate activity
- Carrying a weapon or firearm
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Expectations During a Project
- Volunteers should not engage in conflict resolution of any kind (whether it be between volunteers, clients, or staff). If an issue arises, please notify the nearest Food Bank staff member.
- Volunteers must maintain the confidentiality of all confidential, personal, or proprietary information to which they are exposed as a volunteer, regardless of the subject matter of such confidential information. This includes but is not limited to, the names, locations, or images of clients they encounter through their work with Food Bank, as well as confidential, personal, or proprietary information about the agency made available to a volunteer. Member Agencies may also require that volunteers sign an additional confidentiality agreement before volunteering at their sites.
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Volunteer Reassignment & Dismissal
Food Bank For New York City reserves the right to reassign or dismiss volunteers when such action is in the best interest of the volunteer, Food Bank, the project, the client, and/or our Member Agency. Reasons for dismissal include, but are not limited to:
- Failure to adhere to any of Food Bank's policies or instructions from project leaders;
- Missing more than three (3) scheduled projects in six (6) months without proper cancellation;
- Excessive lateness;
- Disclosure of confidential information;
- The use of alcohol or drugs while on a project;
- Involvement in any illegal activities;
- Any inappropriate behavior or language;
- Carrying a weapon or fiream; or
- Refusal to attend required training(s).
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Volunteer Feedback
If a volunteer has any concerns, questions about appropriate behavior on a project, or complaints regarding inappropriate behavior by another volunteer, a client, a Member Agency, or Food Bank staff, they should talk with Volunteer Engagement immediately by email (volunteer@foodbanknyc.org).
