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Volunteer

Volunteers sorting food
Volunteers sorting food

Volunteers sort food for expiration dates and dents.

Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Volunteer at the Food Pantry
Food Pantry Volunteering

Volunteers are the heart of the food pantry. Without them, the organization wouldn't be able to make such impact!

Below you will find a list of volunteer opportunities that are currently available. Please complete the interest form to get started on your volunteer journey. 

In addition, volunteers are required to complete the necessary background checks to serve as a volunteer in the state of Pennsylvania. These include the Pennsylvania criminal background check, the child abuse clearance and a PennDOT record check. 

Finally, all volunteers should work with the volunteer coordinator to attend an orientation, held several times per month. Check out the Event Calendar to see when the next one is being hosted. You can sign up right from the calendar too! Thanks for your interest in helping us help our community!

  • Volunteers are needed to help operate the Code Blue shelter during the Code Blue 2026-2027 season, beginning November 1. Volunteers will welcome guests, serve dinner, provide an intake, interact with unhoused individuals, oversee the rest period, serve breakfast, and clean the shelter. Training provided.

  • Community Day 2026

    Volunteers needed to break down tent and tables and load The Open Link's van after Community Day starting around 2:45 PM. Please contact us for additional information.

  • Penn Street (Pennsburg) - Sit at the front desk, answer the phone, greet guests, schedule pantry pick-ups, provide general information and referrals, assist with faxing, copying, and client questions, and act as the smiling face of The Open Link to participants, fellow volunteers, staff, and other visitors. Training is provided. 1 bi-weekly Tuesday evening volunteer and daytime lunch shift coverage needed.

    The Center (East Greenville): Support The Center and Meals on Wheels (MOW) by serving as a welcoming point of contact. Greet, direct, and assist with senior center check-ins, answer phones, assist with signups, cancellations, and MOW concerns, provide admin support including transferring calls and taking messages. Training is provided. 1-2 hour shifts to cover meetings and 2-3 hour shift or sub spots for staff days off available.

  • Help with planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting this summer in our Hope Grows Here garden, which supplies our food pantry with fresh produce and herbs. Daily signups are sent out monthly. If interested, you may shadow a seasoned gardener for a day to start!

  • Help students prepare for their high school equivalency exams in math, science, English and history. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30-9:00 PM throughout the year.

  • Packers (9:30-10:30 AM) assemble pre-packaged cold meals, hot meals, milk, and side items for delivery. This position requires attention to detail, standing on your feet for about an hour, and lifting up to 25 lbs. Training provided.

    Drivers (10:30 AM-12:30 PM) use their vehicles to deliver meals to and have friendly visits with program recipients.

    Volunteers can serve on a weekly, bi-weekly, or substitute basis.

  • Our pantry operates Monday-Friday, with extended hours until 7:00 PM on Tuesdays. Currently, there are slots available for Produce Sorters and General Donation Receiving Assistants. Training provided.

    Produce Sorters: Unload, weigh, sort, bag, and inventory fresh fruit and vegetable donations.

    General Donation Receiving Assistants: Unload, sort, and inventory general pantry donations.

    There may also be future openings for Pantry Donation Pickup Volunteers, Pantry Distribution Helpers, Packing Team Members, and Food Pantry Without Walls Delivery.

  • Volunteers at The Center play an important role in helping provide welcoming, engaging programs for older adults in our community. Opportunities are available Monday-Friday and include weekly and as needed/available shifts. Current Center volunteer roles include:

    Community Lunch Helper Subs– Provide room setup, light food prep, meal service, assist participants, especially those with mobility issues, and cleanup for lunch. Opportunities are available Monday-Friday 11:00 AM-12:30 PM (approx.). Fill in as needed/available.

    Activity Assistants- Support programs and special events by assisting with food prep, room set up, and decorating. During activities, you may help with games, serve meals or refreshments, interact with participants, and help with cleanup.

    Activity Hosts & Leaders - Share a skill, interest, hobby, or area of expertise by leading a presentation, special program or class. Opportunities are either one-time or ongoing.

    Tech Coaches - Provide patient, one-on-one or group assistance to older adults who need help using smartphones, tablets, laptops, email, or other technology.

    Handy People, Center Support- Support The Center through building projects, organizing, decorating, laundry, gardening, and more.

  • The Open Link hosts a number of special programs and events throughout the year, including Operation Holiday Cheer, our Summer Kids Meal Program (SKMP), our Back to School Drive and Distribution, our Garden Party, and tabling at various community events. Depending on the event, volunteers may help with donation pickups, organize donations, staff tabling events, pack and distribute meals, and more! Check back for our specific program volunteer openings.

  • Drive individuals who need help getting to medical appointments. Time commitment varies on location of appointment.

Our Impact This Year

  • Summer Kids Meals

    20,012

  • Volunteer Hours this Year

    9,415

  • Dollars Raised in FY2024-25

    $1,512,798

  • Pantry Pounds Distributed

    254,760

© 2026 The Open Link
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Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

Donation Refund Policy

We are grateful for your donation and support of our organization. If you have made an error in making your donation or change your mind about contributing to our organization please contact us. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.

Automated Recurring Donation Cancellation

Ongoing support is important to enabling projects to continue their work, so we encourage donors to continue to contribute to projects over time. But if you must cancel your recurring donation, please notify us.

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