Volunteer

You will make a difference.

Our volunteers come from different backgrounds yet we work together almost effortlessly every week because we share the same passion to help others.

In the past year, we have included 250 people as volunteers to help us with food pickup, distribution day support, bag packing and unloading food from the Greater Boston Food Bank truck. We are so very grateful for each of them!

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this Google Form. We include a small number of new volunteers each month for specific jobs and days based upon our ever changing needs. After you submit your form, it may be several weeks or longer before we respond that we have availability for you to volunteer, so thank you for your patience and understanding.

We deeply appreciate the outpouring of support from those who wish to volunteer with Centre Street. Please consider all the ways that you can help.

2025 Volunteer Newsletters

Fall

Summer

Spring

February

January

EXISTING VOLUNTEERS LOGIN HERE

Volunteer FAQs

  • Yes, please visit our Volunteer Guidelines page.

  • Service days are:
    Every Tuesday, between 10AM and 6PM.
    The third Saturday of the month, between 9AM and 2PM.

    Greater Boston Food Bank truck unloading is:
    The second, third and fourth Monday, 8:30-10:30AM
    The first and fifth Thursday, Noon-2pm
    The third and fourth Friday, 9:30-11:30AM

    Indoor bag packing is often scheduled:
    Monday and Thursday mornings, 10AM-Noon

  • You can sign up to:

    • Pick up food from a local retailer

    • Pack grocery bags indoors

    • Help bring in food from the Greater Boston Food Bank

    • Set up for a service day

    • Pack produce bags or cold orders

    • Bring food to client cars

    • Clean up and break down boxes

    • Check in clients

    • Translate if you speak Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin or Russian

  • Typically two hours.

  • We ask that you volunteer at least twice a month so you learn our operation or a specific job.

    We welcome those who can volunteer more frequently or wish to volunteer for two shifts on a service day, even if you choose a different job each shift.

  • Please see our Volunteer Guidelines page.

  • We ask that you not bring a friend or family member with you unless you register this person in our volunteer database and/or provide advance notice.

  • Our staff on site is always available to answer a question. If you want to ask a question at another time please email Liz Benjamin, our client and volunteer coordinator.

  • We do not have formal orientation sessions but instead, will provide you with 1-1 guidance about your job when you begin volunteering.

“The people who give you food give you their heart.”

—Cesar Chavez