Provide Food to Our Neighbors
Looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities in Madison, Wisconsin? The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is one of the largest in Dane County, and we rely on volunteers every day to serve our neighbors in need. People choose to volunteer here for many reasons — to give back to their community, to live out their values of compassion and service, or to make a direct difference in the fight against hunger. As a volunteer, you’ll join a team of caring people who help provide food, dignity, and hope to thousands of families each year.
When you volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, you do more than sort food or pack boxes — you create impact. Our volunteer roles include stocking shelves, distributing fresh produce, and filling online orders. Many volunteers tell us they gain just as much as they give: new friendships, a sense of belonging, and the joy of knowing they’ve made a real difference. If you’re searching for volunteer work in Madison that’s flexible, rewarding, and community-focused, this is a great place to start.
Position Details
- Two-hour shifts are available on weekday mornings and afternoons
- Positions are either inside or outside
- Some pantry positions require the ability to bend, lift and carry up to 20 lbs
- Safeguarding training and a background check are required after 10 hours of volunteer service. Review our Safeguarding Policy here.
The impact of our food pantry volunteers is powerful. Every hour served helps ensure neighbors facing food insecurity can bring home nutritious meals for their families. By volunteering, you put your values into action and directly strengthen the Madison community. Whether you can give a few hours a month or a regular weekly shift, your time and compassion provide more than food — you provide stability, kindness, and hope. If you’re ready to find a volunteer opportunity where you can truly make a difference, join us at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
Apply Now
Questions? Contact Shannon Killberg, Volunteer Manager, at (608) 442-7200 x42 or volunteer@svdpmadison.org.
Group Volunteering
Do you have a church, corporate, or community group looking for a meaningful way to give back? Volunteering together at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is a hands-on, team-building experience that immediately impacts the fight against hunger. Groups of all sizes help with essential tasks like packing boxes, stocking shelves, and welcoming families — while strengthening connections within their team. Whether you serve once for a special day or set up recurring shifts, your group’s time and compassion will be greatly appreciated. Apply now to schedule your group volunteer opportunity!
Group Volunteering
Open Positions
Client Greeter
- Are you interested in being the first friendly face that our clients see? Are you a people person? This might be the role for you! Greet our clients as they come through the pantry line and assess how many households they are picking up for. Relay information to car loaders by placing sticky notes and/or magnets onto the car. This is an outdoors position, so dressing according to weather conditions is required. Spanish-speaking skills are a bonus!
Inside Cart Re-loader
- Is a fast-paced and engaging environment your jam? Then this might be the job for you! Help us load shopping carts with food to pass out in the drive-through pantry. This would include lifting boxes and bags into carts and then placing the carts into a queue to be distributed. The ability to lift up to 20 lbs is required for this position. It requires a weekly commitment and the ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
Outside Food Loader
- Load boxes and bags of food into vehicles as they come through the drive-through. Requires a weekly commitment and the ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
Cart Runner
- Looking to get your steps in? Help us run carts to clients’ cars as they come through the pantry line. You will be responsible for grabbing carts out of the queued line and bringing them up to cars in the drive-thru. Once the food has been loaded into the car, you will also grab the empty cart and return it to the cart reloaders.
Online Order Filler
- We need volunteers to help fill out our online order requests. This job functions a bit like a personal shopper. You’ll be given a list of items for an order, and you’ll package them into bags and boxes accordingly. This will include various dry goods, dairy and frozen meat. Once the order is complete, you’ll label the orders and organize them onto shelves to await pickup. Please note that this position involves an in-depth training session prior to your first day volunteering.
Food Box Packer
- Fill boxes and bags with pantry staples, cooking supplies and nonperishable items. Requires the ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
Food Stocker
- Move cases of food from the warehouse to the box packing area. Requires the ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
Donation Sorter
- Sort and package food and personal care donations for distribution to our neighbors in need. Currently, only morning shifts are available.
Current Volunteer?
VicNet Portal for Current Volunteers https://www.volgistics.com/vicnet/139701/login
