Get Started
Free Grocery Store is always looking for new volunteers to help with our pantry and garden! We welcome and prioritize people who receive food from FGS – people who volunteer may choose food ahead of the line.
If you’re interested in volunteering, want to learn more about how to get involved, or just want to stay in touch, get started by filling our our volunteer form or by calling us for more information.
Group Volunteering
We are no longer accepting requests for group volunteering. We apologize for the inconvenience!
Pack and Delivery Days
We pack and deliver free groceries every Tuesday out of the Civic Media Center. Help out as a sorter, packer, driver, or facilitator with shifts starting between 2-6pm.
Sorting — 2-4 pm
From 2-4 pm, we accept our food delivery from the food bank, sort through everything we get, and set up the space. Sorters help make sure everything is ready for packing to start.
Packing — 4-6 pm
At 4pm, we start packing orders and begin walkup service. Packers fill food orders based on each household’s dietary restrictions, preferences, and household size. Once we’re done packing, we clean everything up and reset the space.
Driving — Pickup times 4:30-5:30 pm
Starting at 4:30 pm, volunteer drivers pick up the completed orders for a route and deliver them to our recipients’ homes. Drivers usually take about 1.5 hours to complete their routes, though experienced drivers may finish more quickly.
Leading Roles — Shift times vary
Facilitators oversee and coordinate food sorting and packing operations. These are generally experienced volunteers who help train others, answer questions, and make sure everything goes smoothly. If you’re interested in being a facilitator, let us know!
Garden Days
We meet at the McRorie Community Garden every Sunday from 9-10:30am to maintain our garden plots, grow and harvest produce to distribute on Tuesdays, and learn more about community gardening.
No experience necessary! The McRorie Community Garden is located in Gainesville at SE 4th Ave and SE 6th Pl.
Mobile Pantry Days
About once a month, we hold a mobile pantry in underserved neighborhoods around Gainesville. We generally need a team of 2-4 volunteers to help us complete mobile pantries!
Stay posted here and on Instagram to find out about future mobile pantries!