Hello! Please input your name and email below to access our volunteer calendar.
Thank you! We're excited for you to join us in the fight against hunger and food waste.
The Food & Faith Collaborative hosts PopUp Grocery Store events at locations across our community in partnership with Second Servings of Houston. We hope you will join us in helping make a difference in our community by enabling food security and self-sufficiency in Houston! To understand what a PopUp Grocery Store volunteer opportunity entails and find more information, please visit our website at foodandfaithcollaborative.com/volunteer.
As a member of the Second Servings Volunteer Community, we want to remind you of the 10 Essential Guidelines for Volunteers that you agree to when you sign up to volunteer at a PopUp:
1. Be Patient & Flexible- Precise timing of van deliveries isn’t possible, things may shift, and adaptability to the situation is key. You’re here to help.
2. Show Empathy and Respect for the Shoppers- Remember shoppers are dealing with food insecurity and may have one or more additional life challenges.
3. Respect the Site Manager & Leader- Follow their guidance on setup, food limits, and surplus decisions.
4. “Wait to Take”- While the groceries are very tempting, the food is meant for each sites’ shoppers. Volunteers may only select food AFTER the PopUp shoppers come through and WITH LEADER APPROVAL. Each site has a plan for what to do with excess food, and it will be the exception, not the rule, that volunteers will be able to take home excess food. Note, it is against City Ordinance to feed the homeless on the street and is strictly prohibited by Second Servings.
5. Let Shoppers Choose Freely- Encourage, don’t dictate. Offer tips, not rules.
6. Know the Food’s Origin- It’s rescued surplus that would otherwise go to waste.
7. Understand Package Dates- Dates reflect peak quality, not safety. Don’t toss food just because it’s “expired.”
8. Inspect & Display Food Thoughtfully- Discard obviously bad food, such as a moldy orange or squishy tomato. A small bruise on a fruit may be okay, while a major bruise is not. If you wouldn’t eat it, throw it away.
9. Support Shoppers- Help carry groceries if needed. Be friendly and make the experience welcoming.
10. Ask When in Doubt- If you're unsure of anything, ask the Leader. Communication keeps things running smoothly.
