Get Involved

Ending Hunger Takes All of Us

Beach Food Pantry runs entirely on community support, so every gift of time, food, or funds goes straight to feeding neighbors across Dare County and Corolla.



We receive no government funding. That means the meals on our shelves exist because people like you decided to do something. Whether you have five dollars, an afternoon, or a trunk full of groceries, there's a way for you to make a direct difference today. Below are four ways to help, pick whichever fits where you are right now.

Three hands rising from a box with a heart symbol, black line icon on white background

Lend a few hours and become part of the team

Volunteer

We serve our community with the help of more than 300 volunteers every year, and there's a role for nearly everyone. You might staff afternoon client distribution, get retail donations from the stores to our shelves, or keep the pantry stocked and ready for neighbors to shop.

Outlined gift box with a heart above it on a white background

Make a Financial Impact for our community

Donate

A monetary gift is the most flexible way to help, because it lets us buy exactly what's running low and put it on the shelf fast. Thanks to our supplier relationships, we make donated dollars go further than most families could at the grocery store, turning your gift into more meals than its face value suggests.

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Fill our shelves with the food we need most

Food Donations

This puts groceries in front of neighbors right away. We're especially grateful to donors who call or stop by first to ask what we're short on that day, because needs shift week to week and the most helpful donation is the one that matches an empty shelf.

When this isn't possible, a list of commonly purchased items is below.

Poster reading “Take the tan, leave the cans” with a food donation bin and cans at the bottom.

Suggested Donation Items:

  • Canned Vegetables (~15 oz)
  • Canned Fruit (~15 oz)
  • Peanut Butter (18 oz)
  • Canned Chicken, Ham or Tuna (5 oz cans)
  • Brown Rice (16 oz)
  • Canned Soup
  • Pork & Beans Canned
  • Beef Stew Canned
  • Beef Chili with Beans
  • Diced Canned Tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • Grape or Strawberry Jelly (18 oz)
  • Pancake Mix ("Complete" - or "just add water")
  • Pancake Syrup
  • Hamburger Helper
  • Salad Dressing
  • Toothpaste
  • Feminine Products

Getting Started Is Easier Than You Think

Common Questions About Getting Involved

  • How do I become a volunteer?

    Complete our volunteer interest form, and we'll help you find an opportunity that matches your interests, time availability, and abilities. 


  • Do I have to volunteer every week?

    No. Some volunteers serve weekly, while others help monthly, seasonally, or at special events. We appreciate every hour you're able to give.


  • Is there a minimum age to volunteer?

    Not necessarily. But, there are some things parents should keep in mind when deciding if we are the place for your child. 

    1. For any children under 18 years old, you'll need to accompany them the first time so you can sign our Waiver form on their behalf. 
    2. We do not allow children and teens that live locally to serve clients. They may see a classmate or friend's family being served. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma that is associated with food assistance and an accidental revelation can lead to opportunities for bullying. However, we can sometimes have them help with checking dates, stocking, etc. 
    3. In terms of supervision, we do not have staff to provide for this at all times. If you are able to accompany your child, we'd love to find a place for you both! If you are unable to serve with your child during our normal hours, please check out our Meal in a Bag program that can be done on your schedule. 

  • Do I need experience?

    No. We'll provide training and show you everything you need to know.


  • What kinds of volunteer opportunities are available?


    Examples include:

    Stocking shelves

    Sorting donations

    Assisting with in-store shopping

    Packing Summer Food for Kids bags

    Home deliveries

    Mobile pantry events

    Food drives

    Administrative support

    Gardening

    Special events

  • Can I volunteer if I have physical limitations?

    Absolutely. We have a variety of volunteer roles with different physical requirements, and we'll do our best to find a role that's a good fit.


  • When do volunteers serve?

    Generally, we have volunteer opportunities from 8:30a-4p, Monday-Friday and 10a-1p on Saturdays.  


  • Can I volunteer outside normal business hours?

    Sometimes, we have food drives, events, or special projects that fall outside normal business hours. For example, from June-September, we shop for and pack Summer Food for Kids bags every Tuesday and Wednesday evening starting at 4:30p. 


  • Can my business, church, civic group, or family volunteer together?

    Often, yes! We welcome groups and we try our best to customize projects based on your group's size and interests. It is important to note that while we have the largest physical footprint of any pantry in our area, the largest group we can accommodate would be 10-15 or so people. And, everyone would have to be willing to work on different tasks, with some inside and some outside. 

  • How far in advance should groups schedule?

    It's good to get your date(s) on our radar as early as possible. We may not be able to commit to hosting your group until 2 weeks or so before your arrival. 


  • Can I complete school-based or church-based community service hours?

    Yes! Give us a call and share your interests, volunteer hour availability and time requirements. Usually, we have found the best way to do this will likely be through our Meal in a Bag program.


  • Can I complete court-ordered community service hours?

    We are generally not a good fit for court-ordered community service hours. Our shifts are usually 1-1.5 hrs at a time and they are not necessarily available on a daily basis. Most people find they can't get the number of hours they need from us in the time they have to complete them. We usually recommend contacting the Outer Banks SPCA, Outer Banks Hotline or checking out the Outer Banks Visitor's Bureau or Live from the OBX sites to see if there are any special events coming up that may need volunteers that can serve larger blocks of time all at once. 

  • Will I interact with pantry guests?

    Some volunteers do, others work behind the scenes.


  • How do you protect client privacy?

    Every story that leads clients to our doors is different. But, generally, there is some sort of crisis or emergency situation that pops up. That could happen to almost any of us. We expect our volunteers to share our organizational values of dignity, confidentiality, and respect. Every volunteer signs a confidentiality statement as part of their registration process. They also renew it annually. We will not tolerate any deviation. If we speak to someone outside the Pantry that is a client, we do not indicate where we know them from.   


  • Why are volunteers so important?

    More than 75 regular weekly volunteers, and 500+ total volunteers annually contribute thousands of hours each year, making it possible for Beach Food Pantry to provide nutritious food and compassionate service to our neighbors. Every grocery bag packed, every shelf stocked, every delivery made, and every family welcomed begins with someone willing to give their time.


  • Why does Beach Food Pantry have paid staff if you have so many volunteers?

    Our volunteers are the heart of Beach Food Pantry. Professional staff provide the coordination that allows hundreds of volunteers, dozens of community partners, and multiple food programs to work together safely and consistently. Staff oversee food safety, volunteer training, client services, purchasing, inventory, scheduling, compliance, community partnerships, and emergency response so volunteers can focus on making a difference.