Click here to read our COVID-19 volunteer checklist. Before your group date, please print out, read and sign the checklist.

If you need help setting up your new volunteer matters account, click here for step-by-step instructions.

Groups of people can volunteer on-site in our warehouse, off-site by holding a food drive, or assembling weekend food packs (called Power Packs) for students.

Warehouse Group Volunteer Info:

  • Group shifts are from 3pm to 5pm on weekdays
  • Group size is between 5-15 people
  • Volunteers must be at least 12 years old
  • Children ages 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult

To schedule a group, please fill out the Group Volunteer Request Form.

First time volunteering? Watch our volunteer coordinator Kelly walk you through how to sign in for your shift with our COVID-19 protocols. 

The warehouse is the heart of our operation. This is where all of our food donations are stored and where volunteers and staff members sort, package and distribute USDA and emergency food supplies to our Program Participants. The warehouse is high energy, full of activity and a great place to roll up your sleeves and make a difference!

Group Volunteer Qualifications:

  • Group shifts in our warehouse are Tuesday or Thursday from 3:00 PM – 5:00PM
  • Group size is between 5-15 people
  • Volunteers must be at least 12 years old
  • Children ages 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Everyone MUST wear closed toe shoes. NO EXCEPTIONS! 

 Warehouse Tasks:

  • Sort donated food & check for expired items
  • Check cans and boxes for expiration dates
  • Stock shelves
  • Bag produce/frozen foods/non-perishable canned goods
  • Unload trucks/cars
  • Assemble weekend food packs (Power Packs) for food insecure students
  • Assist with cleaning the warehouse/office spaces/kitchen
  • Rinse storage tubs

 To schedule a group in the warehouse, please fill out the Group Volunteer Request Form.

 IMPORTANT NOTE: Parking is extremely limited. Please strongly consider transporting a large group via bus, van, or carpool or parking at an alternate lot:

  • Merrifield Plaza – located at Gallows Road & Lee Highway
  • Pan Am Shopping Center – located at Nutley Street & Lee Highway
  • Dunn Loring Metro – located on Gallows Road
  • Mosaic Shopping District – located District Avenue & Lee Highway

Food is our #1 need!  Every food donation helps in the fight against hunger – no matter how small or large.

Food for Others accepts donations of food at the Merrifield warehouse Monday through Friday, preferably during the hours of 2:00pm–5:00pm or during normal operating hours, 9:30am–5:00pm.

 Our most needed items include:

  • Fresh fruits (oranges, apples, bananas, tomatoes, avocados, grapes, berries)
  • Fresh vegetables (cucumbers, celery, peppers, lettuce, eggplant)
  • Single-serve macaroni & cheese or pasta meals (Chef Boyardee, Hormel, etc.)
  • Canned chili
  • Canned pasta
  • Canned tomato products (crushed, peeled, diced, etc.), 4oz – 1lb
  • Canned meat (chicken, beef, turkey, or seafood), 2oz – 15oz
  • Rice, 16oz packages
  • Spaghetti sauce, 14oz – 1lb (ideally in cans instead of glass)
  • Canned fruit (packed in fruit juice instead of syrup) 11oz – 20oz
  • Beans, dried (1-3lb bags) or canned (black, kidney, pinto, refried)
  • 1-3lb bags of rice
  • Fruit juice (100% juice) 32oz – 64oz
  • We are also happy to accept perishable items such as meats or dairy products that are sealed, still in their original packaging, and unexpired

 Check out our Food Drive Planning Kit for more details:

 For additional information or questions about holding a food drive, please email volunteer@foodforothers.org

Help Food for Others alleviate child hunger by supporting our Power Pack Program (P3).  P3 provides supplemental weekend food for students in Fairfax County. Click here to visit our how to support P3 page.

Volunteers assemble and deliver the packs to over 40 schools where staff will distribute them to students in need. Most of the students served by P3 are in the free-or-reduced-meals program during the week and are at risk of food insecurity and hunger on weekends.

What is a Power Pack?

A Power Pack is a large Ziploc bag, which contains two items each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus two snacks and two drinks.

Group Volunteering 

Groups make a big difference by assembling Power Packs either on-site in our warehouse or off-site at your own location.  This is a great team-building activity for businesses, churches, schools or service groups.

Click here to read our P3 Food Drive Planning Kit.

 To schedule a group Power Pack event, please email volunteer@foodforothers.org 

We currently are not scheduling group volunteer activities through the end of 2022. Our greatest need right now is food. If you are able and willing, please donate food or hold a food drive to support the FFO community!

Please click the Food Drive tab below to access our Food Drive Planning Kit or contact volunteer@foodforothers.org with any questions.