Get Involved
Volunteer, Give, Spread the Word
HOURS FOR VOLUNTEERS are on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, as well as the second Tuesday evening of the month.
Volunteer Application Form
Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. We tend to be fully staffed, but regular and substitute openings do occur occasionally. Please fill out the volunteer form. We will contact you if we are in need, but a lengthy period of time may elapse before an opening occurs, so please feel free to check back periodically and let us know of your continued interest.
Weekly Opportunities
Our regular volunteer hours are Monday and Tuesday afternoons. We tend to be fully staffed, but regular and substitute openings do occur occasionally. Please fill out the volunteer form. We will contact you if we are in need, but a lengthy period of time may elapse before an opening occurs, so please feel free to check back periodically and let us know of your continued interest.
Do you have a special skill (e.g., communications, technology, accounting) that you think could benefit the Pantry? We’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the volunteer form.
If you are eager to be of service while awaiting an opening at the Wellesley Food Pantry, please consider helping out our neighbors in Newton. See Newton Helping Neighbors for more details on their needs, but drivers to deliver food to clients are especially in demand.
Food Drives
We are so appreciative of the community’s desire to support us in our mission. If we can’t use you as a volunteer, you are always welcome to hold food drives for us, but we ask that you contact first us so we can provide guidance about our greatest needs.
Many organizations and schools run food drives during the year. Food drives don’t have to be large and difficult to manage. If you are interested in running a food drive, please contact our Food Drive Coordinator at fooddrives@wellesleyfoodpantry.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For Volunteers
How do I sign-up to volunteer?
Please complete the Volunteer Application. You will receive an email acknowledging your application, once received.
When do you need volunteers?
Is there a minimum age to volunteer?
You must be of at least high school age to volunteer in the pantry. Occasionally, younger children may participate with parents in roles outside the pantry, such as making client deliveries, or picking up donations or food purchases from grocery stores — but please note that these openings do not often arise.
Is there any other way I can help if you don’t need me to volunteer?
We always need food! Please contact our Food Drive Coordinator at fooddrives@wellesleyfoodpantry.org to discuss the logistics for a food drive. Food drives are essential to keeping our shelves stocked, and it’s especially helpful when you can hold a food drive to target the most-needed items.
I filled out an application but haven’t been contacted to volunteer. Why not?
We tend to be fully staffed, but regular and substitute openings do occur occasionally. A lengthy period of time may elapse before an opening occurs — we do not tend to have a lot of turnover in our volunteers — so please feel free to check back periodically and let us know of your continued interest.
For Food Donors
Where can I donate food?
Can I donate food at locations other than the WHCC?
Yes, the Wellesley Roche Bros. and Whole Food stores have collection bins for donations in the front of their stores.
What food can I donate?
Can’t I donate expired items? They’re still fine to eat.
Please don’t. The health department does not allow us to put expired food on the pantry shelves.
Can I get a tax acknowledgement for my donation?
For Financial Donors
How can I make a donation?
Donations can be made directly via PayPal using the Donate button on our website, or can be made by check and mailed to Wellesley Food Pantry, 207 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. (If you have no preference, we recommend a check to save on PayPal processing fees.)
How are donations used to support WFP?
We are an all-volunteer organization, so your donations go directly to serving our community by helping to defray the cost of groceries, fresh produce, and essential personal care items. Thanks to the generosity of the Hills Church, we pay no rent, and our administrative costs are minimal.
Can I receive a tax receipt for donations (both cash and in-kind)?
Is Wellesley Food Pantry a non-profit organization?
Yes, WFP is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donations are tax-deductible within the limits of the tax code. Our tax ID is 45-0941804.
How does the Wellesley Food Pantry support itself?
We depend on the generosity of the Wellesley community to support the organization through cash and in-kind donations from individuals, businesses, civic and religious organizations, schools, as well as grants from local foundations.
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