Volunteer Opportunities » Food Systems Coalition of Greater Gainesville

This page is where organizations can advertise volunteer opportunities they have available. This way, community members seeking to volunteer can find a great match for their interests and capabilities. You can search and sort the table below to see what’s available. Then, reach out to the point of contact! If you have an opportunity to add to this page, tell us about it HERE!

Organization	Contact	Type of Role	Category	Time Requirements	Physical Requirements	Equipment Needed	Skills Requested	Description
Grace Grows	Abigail Perret-Gentil: Email 352-389-1684	Recurring	Community Gardening	We ask volunteers to come on a consistent basis, meaning not just volunteers who come once or twice. Volunteer days are Saturdays 9:30-1:00	heavy labor, shoveling, pushing wheelbarrels, weeding, planting	cool clothing, water,sun protectant, gloves if preffered, close toed shoes	background in gardening is helpful but can be taught, ability to interact personably and with boundaries with people in crisis or people experiencing mental health issues	We welcome all to join us on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 1 PM for our weekly community volunteering days in the Grace Grows Garden. The garden is a community garden for people who are experiencing homelessness and has spaces for them to reserve and group managed spaces to grow a larger amount of food. No prior gardening experiencing is necessary to be a valuable member of our volunteer team. Please give us a call or email before you come out so that we may know to expect you. Groups are welcome on an as needed basis! Please contact us in advance to schedule a group volunteer day in the garden. The garden is located on the GRACE Marketplace campus behind Café 131.
Gainesville Free Grocery Store	Michael R: 863-414-6432 Send email (352) 388-1568‬	Recurring	Food Access	T: 2 hours for packing, driving time varies. Sunday: 1-2 hours for sorting/ gardening	Carrying up to 20-lb bags or boxes of groceries	Vehicle if driving, none if packing or sorting	None	Help provide healthy and accessible food to our community by packing grocery bags, sorting donations, or delivering them to people’s homes!
Nicoya Farm	Aviva Asher Send email 215-805-2215	Recurring	Farming & Harvesting	3-4 hours weekly	Physical activity is moderate and involves kneeling, lifting. accomodations can be made for all abilities.	Appropriate clothing for outdoor physical work, hat and water bottle	None	Nicoya Farm is a family fruit and vegetable farm, managed by Aviva Asher and Daniel Robleto on 2.5 acres of land in Southeast Gainesville. Read the full description HERE
Gainesville Giving Garden	Meg Boria-Meyer Send email 603-828-2110	Recurring	Farming & Harvesting	1-3 hours per week or one-time during a Volunteer Day if preferred	Weeding, shoveling, planting, harvesting, and feeding chickens	A water bottle, sunscreen, and gardening gloves if available	No special skills required	The Gainesville Giving Garden is a nonprofit urban farm growing food for underserved families in town. Our goal is to feed five families who have recently left shelter. Read the full description HERE
Alachua County Farm to School Program	Kelli Brew Send email	Recurring	Community Gardening	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Alachua County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services’ Farm to School program allows students to learn about the connection between farming, food, and good health. The program has opportunities for volunteer engagement like assistance with maintaining the gardens on the premises and Field Trip support on Fridays.
Catholic Charities	352-372-0294	Recurring	Food Access	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Volunteers are needed to assist with food pantry operations.
First Missionary Baptist Church	904-238-6567	Recurring	Food Access	The pantry is open Thursday from 9a-12p.	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	First Missionary Baptist Church is in need of assistance with their food pantry operations.
Food Recovery Network	Sign up online	Recurring	Food Access	They will either schedule you to make routine food recoveries on specific dates or you can opt to be an "on-call" volunteer when needed.				FRN is working to divert wasted food from UF's campus to those who need it. Volunteer responsibilities would include repackaging and distributing food.
Gainesville Community Ministry	352-372-8162	Recurring	Food Access	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Gainesville Community Ministry is in need of volunteers to support food giveaway events.
Greater Duval Neighborhood Association	Andrew Miles: 352-519-2743	Recurring	Food Access	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	GDNA is in need of volunteers to assist with the multiple programs that are hosted. This includes tutoring, youth summer programs, senior services, food access, and financial tracking and bookkeeping. Volunteer hours differ depending on the task.
Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church	352-372-2333	Recurring	Food Access	Tuesdays and Thursdays for 1-2 hours	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church is in need of volunteers for their food distribution events, including when the food truck arrives with donations. Responsibilities include unloading the truck and setting up food for the event.
Partnership for Strong Families Cone Park Resource Library	352-334-0456	Recurring	Food Access	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	The Cone Park Resource Library is in need of volunteers to support their pantry operations.
Project Downtown Gainesville	Send email OR Sign up via Instagram	Recurring	Food Access	Meals are provided on Saturdays and Sundays at 1p.	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Volunteers assist with the preparation of meals and serving the meals in the courtyard at Gainesville City Hall.
Upper Room Church of God in Christ	352-264-0006	Recurring	Food Access	Tuesdays from 8a-12p	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Contact for more information	Upper Room Church of God in Christ needs volunteers to help with their "Take What You Need Tuesday" weekly food giveaways. Volunteers stock, load cars, clean-up, and engage the crowd.