Volunteer with Philly Food Rescue

In one hour, you can do something tangible to reduce food waste and resource local community. Download the Philly Food Rescue app in Google Play or the App Store to get started.

One (1) Unclaimed Weekly Food Rescue (as of 6/5/23, subject to frequent change):

FRIDAYS: Levy @ The Franklin Institute to Bebashi

These rescues have a designated recipient and need a ride. Volunteers sign up in-app to complete deliveries. Turn on notifications to see other available one-time rescues, too, publishing daily.

What's the service opportunity?
Philly Food Rescue is the sustainability, food recovery, and donations arm of Share Food Program. You'll use your own car (or bike) to rescue surplus food from a grocery store, restaurant, caterer, farmers market, or the Share warehouse, delivering it to its matched nonprofit recipient. Those include senior centers, shelters, places of worship, schools, community fridges, clinics, affordable housing communities, and more.

What difference does food rescue make? 
Centering food sovereignty and community care, Philly Food Rescue increases access to fresh food for our neighbors. Our team recovers half a million pounds of food every month thanks to volunteers like you, whose service keeps wholesome food within our communities and out of the waste stream. We resource 300+ partners across Philadelphia, its suburbs, and South Jersey, impacting food security and sustainability every day of the week.

What's required?

• If driving, a valid driver's license and insurance are needed. For smaller food rescues, a bike or transit pass may do
• Food rescue volunteers should be able to lift at least 30 lbs. If that's untenable, bring a friend along!
• Clear trunk and back seat to make space for boxes or bags of food
• Cell phone required to communicate with food donor, nonprofit recipient, and PFR dispatch during active rescue
• Complete the food rescue within its scheduled window

Philly Food Rescue app:

To get started volunteering with PFR and sign up to do a food rescue near you, download the Philly Food Rescue app in Google Play or the App Store, create a volunteer profile, and turn on notifications to find out about new opportunities. You can claim a one-time or weekly/recurring food rescue.

• If you need help finding a food rescue that fits, or if there's a weekly rescue you want to try on a one-time basis, please reach out. We may be able to find or even create something near where you live or work.

The Philly Food Rescue app houses all food rescue instructions, photos, maps, contact information, and donation records. Volunteers' accurate reporting of donation kinds and quantities in-app preserves data integrity. Thanks for being our program's careful eyes, helpful hands, and sturdy boots on the ground!

What should I bring or wear?

• Closed-toe shoes are recommended in the field and required at our warehouse
• Nearly all donations are pre-packed for transport into boxes or bags. Some Wawa food rescues require insulated cooler bags, which we can provide
• If a donor like Whole Foods needs you to bring your own bins, bags, or boxes, we'll let you know

Additional Information: 

• Start and complete the food rescue during its active window, using the Philly Food Rescue app in real time
  • Most food rescues can be completed in one hour, and rescue windows are typically two hours long
  • PFR matches donations within five miles or a half hour's drive to keep food local, honor volunteers' time, and ensure food safety. Volunteers drive directly from donor to recipient
• You're welcome to bring a friend or child as a passenger to help with loading, unloading, and delivery
• Share photos from your food rescue if you like! Tag PFR on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook
• Have questions about volunteering with Philly Food Rescue? Ask Britt at bkorn@sharefoodprogram.org or (215) 301-3734
• A limited number of small group volunteer activities may be available with Philly Food Rescue, too

Claim volunteer opportunities directly within the Philly Food Rescue app.

Thanks for helping us create better food access and sustainability throughout the Philadelphia region.