Volunteer with Us

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It’s easy to become part of the ZFW community and help ensure good food feeds people, not landfills! Sign up as a volunteer, and we’ll match you with food rescue opportunities that fit your schedule.

Whether it’s driving surplus food from businesses to our partner agencies or lending a hand at events, every hour you give makes a direct impact in reducing waste and fighting hunger.

You've officially joined our mission to reduce food waste and increase food access. We have two types of volunteer roles available:

Food Rescue Driver

You’ll pick up surplus food from businesses and deliver it directly to our partner agencies, ensuring good food goes to people instead of landfills.

Community Impact Volunteer

You’ll represent Zero Food Waste at events, fundraisers, and outreach activities. Whether it’s spreading awareness, helping with logistics, or engaging with the public.

Your time and commitment mean so much to us.

Thank you for choosing to volunteer with us. Every hour you give helps rescue food, feed people, and protect our planet. We’re grateful for your dedication and are happy to provide references or confirmation of hours upon request. Your impact is real, and we couldn’t do this without you.

Click the location where you live, and start volunteering today!

Volunteer FAQ's

How do I signup to volunteer?

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Zero Food Waste. We need volunteers to make our mission possible. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities here. Each city has a different form for volunteering found above.

Can I take photos while volunteering?

We encourage volunteers to take photos while picking up donations. You can send a photo to the main email of the city you belong to. You are welcome to post your pick-ups, and tag us in those as well!

Do I get paid or can I get compensated for gas?

Our volunteer positions are unpaid, as we are a registered charity and not-for-profit organization. At this time, we do not provide financial compensation. However, we are actively working to build partnerships and sponsorships that may allow us to cover fuel costs for volunteers in the future.

Do I need any supplies or special equipment to volunteer?

Supplies are optional and are not required to volunteer. We provide gloves, and transparent bags or boxes that may be needed for pick-up and drop-off. You will need a car to transport the food to our partner service agencies.

What are the requirements to volunteer?

For most of our volunteer roles, all you need is enthusiasm, a passion for reducing food waste, and a willingness to help others. Some opportunities may have a minimum age requirement, particularly for event support, truck shifts, or warehouse work. Certain roles may also require access to a vehicle. No matter your background, if you care about making a difference, there’s a place for you at ZFW.

Why volunteer at Zero Waste?

Volunteering with Zero Food Waste means being part of a movement that keeps good food out of landfills and puts it onto tables where it’s needed most. Every shift you take helps fight hunger, reduce waste, and protect our planet. Along the way, you’ll meet like-minded people, gain meaningful experience, and see the direct impact of your efforts in your community.

I submitted a volunteer application, when can I expect to volunteer?

We accept volunteer applications on a rolling basis and take at most a week to process. Once your application is reviewed, our team will reach out with the next steps and available opportunities. Most volunteers are able to get started fairly quickly, and we’ll do our best to match you with a role that fits your schedule.

I need to fulfill court-appointed hours. Can I volunteer?

Yes, we welcome individuals who need to complete court-appointed community service hours. To get started, please indicate this on your application so we can ensure your hours are properly tracked and verified.

Do you have flexible volunteer opportunities?

Yes! We understand that everyone’s schedule is different, so we offer flexible volunteer opportunities. Whether you can help weekly, monthly, or just occasionally, there’s a role for you. Many of our food rescue shifts and events can be scheduled around your availability, making it easy to contribute when it works best for you.

Can I just drop-in to volunteer?

We ask that all volunteers sign up in advance so we can make sure there’s a role available and that food rescues and events are properly staffed. This helps us stay organized and ensures every volunteer has a meaningful experience. Once you’re registered, you’ll be able to choose opportunities that fit your schedule.

I'm a high school student and need volunteer hours, can I volunteer?

Yes! High school students are welcome to volunteer with us and can count their time toward school volunteer hour requirements. Some roles may have a minimum age requirement, but we’ll do our best to match you with opportunities that fit. We’re also happy to provide confirmation of hours for your school.

Our company's employees would like to volunteer as a group. Can we do this?

Yes! We welcome corporate and employee group volunteering. Whether it’s rescuing food, helping at events, or supporting special projects, volunteering as a team is a great way to build connections while giving back to the community. Reach out to us at info@zerofoodwaste.ca and we’ll help organize an opportunity that fits your group’s size, interests, and schedule.