At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) closed its Distribution Center to volunteers to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This decision was difficult because TAFB relies on volunteers to sort and package all of its food, as shown in our Heart of TAFB video:
Despite this massive loss, volunteers were still eager to offer helping hands at our Partner Agencies, who still held daily off-site food distributions. With the addition of weekly Mega Mobile Markets, volunteer opportunities with TAFB have risen to be plentiful once more. If you’ve been stuck indoors since March and looking for a safe yet meaningful way to spend your time, check out some of Tarrant Area Food Bank’s open volunteer shifts right now:
Mega Mobile Markets
If you want to spice up your Friday mornings with some fresh air and be one of 75 dedicated volunteers to get food out into the community, TAFB’s Mega Mobile Markets are your best chance. These mega events began in September as a solution to rising hunger during COVID-19, and these weekly events need a lot of hands-on help to run smoothly. There are assignments of all sorts, ranging from directing traffic to loading groceries into families’ cars. If you are 16 or older near Fort Worth with the passion to serve, we would love to see you there.
Sign Up to Volunteer at a Mega Mobile Market
TAFB Learning Garden and Kitchen Garden
Not feeling a high-energy event? Our Community Gardens are in season and needing helping hands, too! Whether you’re free on weekdays or weekends, there’s multiple days per week for the opportunity to volunteer at TAFB’s Kitchen Garden located on-site at our headquarters or our larger remote Learning Garden. We harvest thousands of pounds of fresh produce and herbs each year that are sent to local partner agencies, and that yield wouldn’t be possible without the assistance of volunteers.
Sign Up to Volunteer at a TAFB Community Garden
Partner Agency Pantries
Not located in Fort Worth? Tarrant Area Food Bank has Partner Agencies (such as churches and community centers) across 13 counties that distribute our food. Our Partner Agencies typically hold Mobile Markets every week or have full-time pantries that need restocking. To find out what organizations near you need help, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page and filter by distance in the top right corner.
Sign Up to Volunteer at a Partner Agency
Advocate
When unable to join us physically or sign up for an opportunity, the next best way to get involved is to do so virtually! Letting others know who we are and what we do is the best way for people to learn that we exist and we’re here to help. Be sure to follow Tarrant Area Food Bank on our social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, to stay updated with how we’re combatting North Texas hunger. Then, share with your friends to spread the word. This act takes mere seconds but has so much value. You never know which one of your friends is silently struggling and would have a huge weight lifted off their shoulders by knowing the Tarrant Area Food Bank is here to help.
