Volunteer
You can sign-up to volunteer by clicking the button below.
Volunteer here
Volunteering at CFR is a rewarding experience. All of the tasks below are performed by volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the days CFR is open and serving clients. We invite you, your friends, your co-workers, or your faith community to join with us in this important work! Email our lead coordinator for more information about how to become a volunteer.
Opener (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) help prepare coolers for the drivers, ensure a sanitary food sorting area, assist as drivers unload coolers and help the day coordinator as needed.
Drivers (12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) use their own vehicles to collect food from a list of pre-determined donors. Drivers pick up coolers loaded with ice packs at CFR, drive to each donor listed on their route, pack the donated food into the coolers, and return the full coolers to CFR.
Food Sorters (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) unload the food, sort it into coolers and help assemble food bags for distribution.
Food Distributors (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) help assemble and distribute bags of food to clients who visit CFR from 4 – 6 p.m. As coolers loaded with food are emptied, food distributors also help wash coolers.
Volunteers age 55 and older: CFR is now partners with Common Good RSVP, a network for volunteers age 55 and over. Volunteers who enroll in Common Good can receive reimbursement for mileage to/from/during CFR volunteer activities. Common Good is a program of Catholic Charities Diocese of Winona, operated under the direction of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency. Common Good also provides supplemental insurance for volunteers. Enrollment forms are available at CFR.
Donate Food
CFR welcomes packaged food and food prepared in a professional/commercial kitchen that requires little or no preparation for clients to eat, including non-perishable products; juices, milk, and other beverages in sealed containers; and prepared refrigerated/frozen items such as soups, sandwiches, salads and vegetables, pasta and potato dishes, breakfast items, bread, produce and desserts in commercially sealed packaging. We cannot accept any uncooked meat.
CFR also welcomes nonperishable items, such as:
- Canned meals: stews, soups, tuna, ravioli, and other pastas, etc.
- Peanut butter, and other nut butters
- Canned vegetables
- Grains: Cereal, rice, pasta, and dried beans
- Fruits: Fruit cups, canned fruit, dried fruit, applesauce, juice boxes, and bottles containing 100% fruit juice.
- Snack items: Granola bars, popcorn, graham or animal crackers, and pudding cups
CFR supplies food donors with packaging containers. Volunteer drivers collect food on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays between 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Garden produce: CFR also welcomes your extra garden produce of all kinds. Produce must be free of mold or decay and have enough shelf life to remain in good condition for at least 3 days. If possible, please pack your produce in cardboard boxes, crates, or other sturdy containers in order to prevent damage and bruising.
Prospective food donors can click here to leave a message for the CFR coordinator.