Giving Time

Volunteers are the heart of SOVA. To meet the needs of nearly 5,000 clients each month, SOVA relies on a team of dedicated volunteers committed to helping to alleviate hunger in the community. We could not possibly meet our mission without them – without you!

When you donate your time to SOVA, you become a partner in our fight against hunger. Your participation will make a difference to families and individuals who truly need your help. And the money we save through your generous gift of time allows SOVA to buy additional food and fund programs to fight hunger in Los Angeles.

Whether as an individual or as a group, we have volunteer opportunities at all locations. Our pantries distinguish two primary types of volunteers – Core and Occasional. Core Volunteers commit to a regularly-scheduled four-hour shift each week in one of our pantries. Occasional Volunteers, as the name implies, work on a more flexible schedule. These include students earning community service credits, large groups (schools, businesses, churches, synagogues, etc.), and individuals offering their time on an intermittent basis.

Among them many volunteer specialties we offer are:

Pantry Packing Room Volunteer

Pantry Packing Room Volunteer (Core or Occasional):

Package bread, produce and other bulk food items. Stock shelves and pack custom grocery orders according to items selected by the client. Distribute completed orders to the clients. Must be physically able reach for items on shelves and lift a grocery bag. Openings at all pantry sites during scheduled service hours.

Pantry Registration Desk Volunteer (Core):

Greet clients as they arrive. Monitor the sign-in process. Locate client record or create record for first-time clients. Assign a number. Prepare packet for intake volunteer. Inform new clients about pantry and resource center procedures. Requires good interpersonal and computer skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. Openings at all pantry sites during scheduled service hours. 		Pantry Registration Desk Volunteer

Pantry Intake Interview Volunteer

Pantry Intake Interview Volunteer (Core):

Interview new and continuing clients. Record new information and/or update information for the client database. Complete grocery order form and route to the packing room. If there are additional needs beyond food, offer the opportunity to meet with an information specialist. Requires good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with diverse clientele in a non-judgmental and sensitive manner. Ability to converse in a foreign language helpful but not necessary. Openings at all pantry sites during scheduled service hours.

Warehouse Volunteer (Occasional and as Groups in Van Nuys):

Many times members of groups (schools, businesses, religious congregations, etc) will schedule a 2-3 hour sessions to help sort and box canned and packaged food donations that are received through food drives. Usually on Sundays but groups can also schedule weekday sessions when the pantry is closed. Individuals are also welcome to participate on days when groups are scheduled. 		Pantry Registration Desk Volunteer

Pantry Intake Interview Volunteer

Data Entry Volunteer (Occasional):

Input, update and correct information in our client database. Requires basic computer skills and accurate typing ability. Flexible schedules available (does not need to be during scheduled pantry service hours.)

Centerpiece Project Volunteer (Occasional in Van Nuys):

"Baskets of Hope" centerpieces are a new SOVA project. Attractive containers filled with canned and packaged foods are “rented” to families and community groups in exchange for a tax-deductible donation to SOVA. Volunteers customize the baskets with ribbons and bows, freshen the contents and replace the cellophane as needed, process orders and may deliver and pick up baskets. Great for crafters! Flexible schedules available (does not need to be during scheduled pantry service hours.) 		Pantry Registration Desk Volunteer

Other involvement opportunities include:

  • Fundraising
  • Organizing food drives
  • Collecting children’s books
  • Developing networks with food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers

If you are interested in pursuing a volunteer opportunity with SOVA please contact:

CORE: Fred Summers (818) 988-7682 x115 or fsummers@jfsla.org

OCCASIONAL: Maxine Meyer (818) 988-7682 x116 or mmeyer@jfsla.org