FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE YOUR AGE REQUIREMENTS?

We welcome volunteers of all ages in our warehouse sorting and packing and in our urban farm and garden. Each volunteer under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult when volunteering alongside them. Volunteers must be 15 years or older to volunteer at our Haven for Hope Kitchen and 16 years old at our SA Food Bank Community Kitchen. If you are chaperoning a group of youth volunteers, there must be a child/adult ratio of 1:5.

DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO VOLUNTEER?

Yes. We require all volunteers to be registered for any volunteer opportunities. Please utilize our online volunteer scheduling website to register as an individual or group. safoodbank.org/volunteer. Here you will be able to select your preferred volunteer site and shift. For additional questions please contact us at volunteer@safoodbank.org.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and clothes appropriate to work in a warehouse, kitchen or garden setting. No sandals/flip-flops, extremely short skirts/shorts or low-cut shirts. Individuals wearing opened toed shoes will not be allowed in warehouse areas. When volunteering for the garden gloves and long pants are recommended.

WHERE DO I PARK?

Please park in any available parking slots around the building. Unless otherwise indicated parking is NOT allowed in fenced areas and in front of loading docks or entrances. Carpooling is always recommended. Important: If you are volunteering at Haven for Hope please print your parking pass (hyperlink provided) before your arrival.

DO I NEED TO SIGN-IN?

Yes, each volunteer individual or group needs to sign in each time they volunteer at the San Antonio Food Bank. Upon arrival please visit our volunteer lobby desk for instructions on how to sign-in.

WHEN I GET THERE, WHERE TO I GO?

All volunteers are asked to report to the Volunteer Center which is the entrance under the outdoor stairwell. When facing the main entrance, it will be to your left. We ask that you and/or group arrive 15 minutes prior to your shift in order to allow everyone an opportunity to sign in.

DOES THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK PROVIDE PROOF OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE?

Yes, upon request the San Antonio Food Bank will provide volunteers with a letter specifying the date of service and number of hours volunteered. Our volunteer lobby staff will also sign any school/church/community service forms after each session. For online volunteer verification (UTSA, UIW, and St. Mary’s University students) please be sure to also obtain a paper copy of your proof of service.

FAMILIES & GROUPS

WHEN BRINGING GROUPS OF YOUTHS, DO YOU HAVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHAPERONES?

Yes. Due to safety concerns each group is required to provide adult supervision. If you are chaperoning a group of youth volunteers, there must be a child/adult ratio of 1:5. Please include adult attendees in your online group registration.

DO I NEED TO NOTIFY YOU IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR THE NUMBER OF GROUP VOLUNTEERS CHANGES?

Yes, it is important that you let Volunteer Services know if you cannot attend. Please confirm your headcount 72 hours prior by emailing us at volunteer@safoodbank.org.  The San Antonio Food Bank  determines it’s volunteer projects based on the number of volunteers scheduled. If you cannot make your volunteer shift please notify us 24 hours prior so the Volunteer Services staff can schedule other volunteers.

I REGISTERED A GROUP TO VOLUNTEER AND I AM THE GROUP LEADER. DOES EACH OF MY GROUP PARTICIPANTS NEED TO REGISTER ON YOUR WEBSITE?

Yes. As a group leader you will receive an email confirmation with a unique registration link specifically for your group reservation. You will need to forward this registration link to all group participants to register on our website. Any unclaimed reserved slots that have not been filled will be released to the general public 72 hours prior to the shift start time.

MY CHILD HAS VOLUNTEERED WITH THE SA FOOD BANK BEFORE. DO I STILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE PARENT PERMISSION FORM?

Yes, this is a new requirement effective August 23, 2019.  All youth volunteers under the age of 18 will need to have a parent/legal guardian permission form on file. This form only needs to be completed once. If a youth volunteer registers for a volunteer shift, the Parent Permission Form Link will be included in the confirmation email.

COURT ORDERED & PROBATION

WHAT IS THE FOOD BANK’S POLICY ON VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ASSIGNED COURT ORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS?

Individuals who receive a court order to perform community service will be accepted on a case by case basis. Individuals convicted of certain serious offenses will not be accepted to volunteer due to potential safety risks for other volunteers and staff.

CAN I DONATE FOOD OR MONEY IN LIEU OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS?

We do accept monetary donations in lieu of community service hours however, there must be pre-approval of the court, private attorney or probation services. We do NOT accept food donations in lieu of community service hours.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS?

We accept cash or money orders for community service payments. Credit/debit cards and checks are NOT accepted. Cash will need to be brought in the exact amount owed (we do not have change). We have a no refund policy.

CAN I PAY ONLINE USING MY DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD?

No; all court donations must be made in person.

CAN I MAIL IN MY DONATION/PAYMENT?

No; all court donations must be made in person.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO DONATE FOR (1) COMMUNITY SERVICE HOUR?

If the court, probation office, or attorney has not assigned a monetary value to each community service hour the San Antonio Food Bank will use an exchange rate of (1) community service hour equals $(8) dollars.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME WHEN I MAKE A DONATION?

The individual should bring the client referral form that reflects name, case/SID#, probation officers name and the approved amount per hour. *Note* if no dollar amount is noted on referral, the rate per house will be $8 per hour.

DO I NEED TO COME IN OR CAN SOMEONE ELSE COME MAKE THE DONATION FOR ME?

Yes, the individual can designate any person to make the donation as long as the designated person has the case number or SID number. The San Antonio Food Bank is not responsible if the designated person does not make the donation or is less than the individual intended to donate.

WILL THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK PROVIDE PROOF OF DONATION?

The SAFB provides a stamped receipt for all money donated in lieu of Court Ordered Community Service.

IF I LOSE MY RECEIPT, CAN I GET A DUPLICATE COPY?

No, duplicate receipts are only available when requested by the probation office, judge, court or attorney.