Food Bank Volunteer, Kitchen Volunteer or Warehouse Volunteer
(The Sharing Place Food Centre)
Add to List
Suggest an Update
Position ID: V-CWD0223
Last Modified: 24 Jul 2026
Last Full Update: 24 Jul 2026
Opportunity Details: Food Bank Volunteer, Kitchen Volunteer or Warehouse Volunteer
| Contact | Maria Mejia, Volunteer Coordinator, The Sharing Place Food Centre Orillia; Phone: (705) 327-4273 ext 108; Email: maria@sharingplaceorillia.org |
| Duties | Ready to Join Our Volunteer Family?The Sharing Place Food Centre started as a small food bank in Orillia 36 years ago. Today, we've grown into a Food Centre with four programs designed to support people experiencing food insecurity right now, and two programs focused on helping prevent food insecurity in the future. And behind all of this? 200+ incredible volunteers who help make it happen every single week. If you'd like to become part of our proud volunteer family, here's a little bit about what you can expect: You can find your place in one of our three main areas: The Food Bank, The Warehouse, or The Kitchen. Each area requires its own special set of superpowers, but don't worry, you don't have to know what yours are just yet! That's where our onboarding process comes in. We'll show you around our facilities, introduce you to our volunteer opportunities, help you discover where your skills and interests could shine, and give you a better idea of how you can help us change the world, one day and one volunteer shift at a time. Ready to find your place? Learn more about our Volunteer Program by clicking the link below! |
| More Info Link | https://sharingplaceorillia.org/start-your-volunteer-journey/ |
| Benefits | Make a meaningful impact by directly supporting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Be part of a community of more than 200 volunteers who care about making Orillia a stronger, more equitable place. Meet new people and build meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds and generations. Learn new skills and gain hands-on experience. Build your resume and professional experience. Develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, organization, and leadership. Learn more about food insecurity and sustainable food systems. Discover your own superpowers by finding a volunteer role where your skills, interests, and personality can truly shine. Have fun along the way! From volunteer events and BBQs to the everyday friendships that happen during a shift, volunteering should feel good too. ✨ Know that you matter. Every shift, every conversation, every food order packed, and every box moved contributes to something bigger than any one person. And perhaps the biggest benefit? You get to leave knowing that your time made someone else's day a little easier. |
| Clients | We don't call the people we serve "clients." We call them members because they are part of our community, and because accessing food support should never make someone feel like they are being judged or labelled. Our members are individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in our community. They come from all walks of life and may be facing very different circumstances. Some are experiencing a temporary financial setback, while others may be living with fixed or limited incomes, health challenges, disability, housing instability, or other barriers that make it difficult to consistently afford enough nutritious food. One of the things that makes The Sharing Place special is that we are one of the lowest-barrier food banks in Simcoe Muskoka. Our approach is built around dignity, respect, and trust. We meet people where they are, without judgment, and we recognize that asking for help is not a failure. Sometimes, life simply gets complicated. |
| Ages | 16 year(s) - 100 year(s) |
| Suitable for Highschool Credit Hours | Yes |
| Areas of Interest | Food Services / Nutrition ; Community / Neighbourhood Volunteering |
| Skills/Experience | Communication & Interpersonal Skills - Our volunteers interact with members, other volunteers, staff, and community partners every day. Being able to communicate clearly, listen actively, and interact respectfully helps create a welcoming and positive environment for everyone. ; Confidentiality - Our members may share personal or sensitive information with us. Volunteers must understand the importance of respecting privacy and keeping information confidential. Trust is a big part of providing dignified food access. ; Counseling & Support - Volunteers are not expected to be counsellors or social workers, but they often become the first person a member speaks to. Being able to listen with empathy, respond with compassion, and know when to connect someone with staff or additional resources is ; Creativity - Things don't always go according to plan! Whether it's finding a solution to an unexpected challenge, adapting to changing food availability, or figuring out how to make a process work better, creativity helps our volunteers think on their feet and contri ; Customer Service - Every interaction matters. Our volunteers help create the first impression and the overall experience our members have at The Sharing Place. A friendly, respectful, and non-judgmental approach helps ensure that everyone feels welcome and treated with dign ; Dependability & Trustworthiness - Our programs rely on volunteers showing up and following through. When a volunteer commits to a shift, the team and our members are counting on them. Being dependable, punctual, and trustworthy helps us provide consistent services and ensures that everyon ; Patience - Our Food Centre can be a busy and sometimes unpredictable environment. Members may need extra time, have questions, or be experiencing a difficult day. Patience allows volunteers to slow down, listen, and make sure everyone feels respected and supported. ; Positive / Cheerful Demeanor - A warm smile and a positive attitude can make a bigger difference than you might think. Our volunteers help create an environment where members feel welcome, valued, and comfortable asking for support. A little positivity can brighten someone's entire day ; Self-Motivated / Work Independently - Not every volunteer role comes with someone standing beside you telling you what to do next. Volunteers need to be comfortable taking initiative, staying productive, and recognizing what needs to be done. We trust our volunteers to use their judgment and ; Team Work - The Sharing Place is a big operation powered by a lot of moving parts. Food Bank, Warehouse, Kitchen, Food Recovery, volunteers, staff... we're all connected. Being able to communicate, support one another, and work toward the same goal helps everything r ; The secret ingredient? ✨ You don't need to be perfect at all of these. We know everyone brings different strengths to the table. What matters most is being willing to learn, treating people with dignity, and showing up ready to be part of the team. |
| Commitment Length | Short Term (3 months or less) ; Medium Term (4 months to 1 year) ; Long Term (More than 1 year) |
| Interaction Level | Small Group ; Large Group |
| Minimum Hours | 4 / Week |
| Accessibility | Partially Accessible |
| Location | 95 Dufferin St, Orillia, L3V 5S9 |
| Number of Positions | Orillia 24 individual(s) needed in total. |
| Training | Orientation - The whole onboarding process is meant to be an orientation as well, along with the first shifts ; Training is provided - Our Volunteers are trained in Service with Dignity, The AODA, Violent and Harrasment and Health and Safety procedures |
| Police Check | Not Required |
| Additional Requirements | Our volunteers must be able to commit one a week for shifts that may last 4 to 6 hours, or biweekly. |
Agency Details: The Sharing Place Food Centre
| Address & Map | |
| Mailing Address | 95 Dufferin St S Orillia, ON Canada L3V 5S9 |