What do volunteers do at Porchlight Community?

Most of our volunteer opportunities involve organizing, setting up, and breaking down event setups in our office. We have limited hosting /client-facing opportunities that require further training.

Can I get my Community Service hours verified?

Volunteer hours can be documented for school, confirmation classes, or similar needs. After completing your hours, you’ll receive a letter on official letterhead with all required details, including our tax ID. As a paperless office, include your case or ticket number in your volunteer application. For additional forms, email us; otherwise, we’ll provide standard documentation.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, accompanied by a parent, guardian, teacher, or other supervisor, and sign our minor consent form.

What should I wear when volunteering?

Bring comfortable, closed-toe shoes that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty; they will keep your feet safe from harm throughout the day. Sandals and open-toed shoes are prohibited. For many projects, it is important that you can work and move easily while wearing them. We have a water station; please bring your refillable water bottle.

When are volunteer shifts?

Each volunteer shift typically lasts about 4 hours and includes a variety of meaningful projects. Most opportunities take place on weekday mornings or weekends. To ensure we can complete our projects and provide opportunities for everyone, please plan to stay for the entire shift you signed up for. Your commitment helps us stay organized and supports the success of our community efforts.

It Starts With You

Make a real impact by volunteering at Porchlight Community Services. Whether you're solo or part of a group, your time supports food access, sustainability, and community care. We welcome all skill sets—help with food rescue, restocking, admin tasks, or event support. Every role strengthens our mission and helps nourish more neighbors.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our team is on-site from Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. When scheduling your volunteer time, we kindly ask that you plan to stay for the whole shift.

Need community service hours verified for school, work, or court? A small admin contribution ($10) is required, and verification is provided after completion.

Administrative Operations

As an administrative volunteer, you'll help keep our operations running smoothly behind the scenes.

These roles will help with a variety of essential tasks that support our operations:

Administrative Support: Manage donation intake, respond to online inquiries, assist with filing and scanning, and ensure that reports are up to date.
Client and Volunteer Support: Follow up with community members, onboard new volunteers, and provide necessary information to those who need it.
Inventory Organization: Sort and restock pantry items to ensure shelves are well-stocked and organized.
Sanitation: Help maintain cleanliness and safety by sanitizing surfaces and keeping workspaces tidy.
Upcycling Food: Assist with dehydrating and juicing surplus food to support sustainability efforts.
Donor Outreach: Help with donor communications and outreach to ensure continued support.

Community Market Setup & Hosting

Help bring our community market to life!

This role is active, team-based, and crucial to creating a smooth and welcoming shopping experience.

We're looking for folks to support anytime between 9 AM and 4 PM. Full or partial shifts welcome.

Team Needs: Setup Crew (6 people): Unload, organize, and build out the market

Hosting Team (3+ people): Welcome folks, restock items, and maintain flow

Duties Include:

Lift and move food boxes (up to ~30 lbs).
Set up tables, tents, displays, and signage.
Sort and arrange groceries for easy access.
Greet and guide folks while they shop.
Restock and tidy up throughout the day.
Work as a team and assist newer volunteers
Follow food safety standards and leave the space spotless.

These tasks are vital to the success of our mission, and your involvement ensures that we can continue to offer free food access and reduce waste in our community.

New Volunteer Signup

Verified Community Service

Returning Volunteer

Group Volunteers

Why Financial Support Matters for Volunteering

Support the Heart of Porchlight

Volunteers power everything we do—and with a small staff, your support keeps it going strong. Financial contributions help us coordinate meaningful, impactful opportunities for all who step up to serve.

Why We Ask for Contributions
For those completing community service hours or volunteering as a group, a small contribution helps cover the extra coordination and admin time needed to track hours, verify service, and ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved. Your support makes these programs possible.

Your Impact
Your donation helps us:

Organize volunteer shifts and events
Sustain and grow service programs
Maximize every hour of impact

Get Involved

Volunteer: Lend your time and skills
Donate: Fund the work behind the scenes
Spread the Word: Invite others to join the mission

Together, we’re building a more sustainable, inclusive community—one shift at a time.

Tell Us About Your Project

Tell us about your project and choose a time to talk - we'll follow

up with next steps.

First Name

Last name

Phone number

Email

Date Of Birth (D.O.B)

Month

Day

Year

What kind of service do you need?

What's your timeline or preferred start date?

Schedule an appointment

March 2026

Week starting Sunday, March 1

Time zone: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)Phone call

Saturday, Mar 7

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Minor?

I am 18 years or older

I am under 18 (Parent/Guardian must agree by signing below.)

Individual Volunteer Application

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting and volunteering your time with Porchlight Community Services, Inc. We look forward to having you join our mission and advocating for health equity, reducing food waste, and improving access to nutritious food.

Once completed, you will receive an email containing a link to schedule your volunteer shifts.

First name

Last name

Are you filling this form out for yourself or for a minor(s)

For myself

For a minor(s)

Email

Address

Emergency Contact Name

Emergency Contact Relationship

Emergency Contact Phone Number

Does your employer sponsor a matching gift program?

Yes

No

Do you have Community Service hours to fulfill?

Yes

No

If you need written verification for court or school. Please upload the paperwork here.

Allow 24-48 hours for us to return a signed verification letter for your community service.

Have you volunteered with Porchlight Community Services before?

Yes

No

Why are you interested in volunteering with Porchlight Community Services?

Do you speak any languages other than English? If yes, please indicate language and level of proficiency.

Do you have other interests, skills or experience that you'd like to share with Porchlight Community Services?

Volunteer Schedule

Frequently asked questions

If you need to cancel your volunteer shift, please give us at least 24 hours' notice. We understand things come up, and we allow one missed shift, but if you do not show up without notifying us, you may be unable to volunteer in the future. Our events rely on having a minimum number of volunteers to be successful, and giving us a heads-up allows us to plan accordingly. Thank you for being considerate and helping us run smoothly!