Spring is almost here and Food For Free’s programs need you. We have lots of volunteer opportunities, for both individuals and small groups. Family Meals, in particular, is ramping up production right now and needs LOTS of help. Take a look at your options, below, then sign up by either filling out the volunteer form (if you haven’t done that yet) or, if you’re already registered, by emailing Ali and telling her you’d like to add another program to your interests.

Family Meals
When: Weekday Mornings, 9 a.m. to 12:30ish
Where: Kendall Square, inside Biogen: 225 Binney St., Cambridge, MA 02142
How do I get there? Metered street parking nearby, Cambridge permit parking nearby, Kendall Square T stop and several local buses
What do I do? Repackage bulk frozen food donations into single-serving frozen meals for local schools, community groups, and shelters.
Requirements: Standing, using hand tools to break apart frozen food, safe handling of food. Please bring a hat.
 

Somerville Weekend Backpack Program
When: Friday Mornings during the school year, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30ish a.m.
Where: Connexion Church, 149 Broadway, East Somerville, MA 02145
How do I get there? Plenty of close metered street parking, and nearby Somerville permit parking
Accessible on the 89, 90, 93, 101 buses, plus a short walk (15ish minutes) from Sullivan Square
What do I do? Make sandwiches, pack bags of food for 300+ Somerville students for the weekend. At the start of the session, there may be the option to pick up donated sandwiches from Union Square and deliver them to the program. At the end of the session, there is the option to help drive bags of food to various Somerville schools.
Requirements: Hair pulled back, standing, lots of counting
 

Home Delivery Program
When: Two weekends per month, various shifts ranging from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: CEOC Food Pantry, 11 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139
How do I get there? Metered street parking nearby, Cambridge permit parking nearby, Central Square T stop and many local bus routes
What do I do? Pack boxes of food for Home Delivery Program clients; option to ride on the truck with our driver and assist with deliveries.
Requirements: Standing; truck volunteers must be able to lift 40 pound boxes

 
Special Events
When: Often Friday or Saturday evenings. Empty Bowls is Saturday, April 18!
Where: Various locations, usually in Cambridge or Somerville