All volunteers can begin to sign up on our website, christmasproviders.
Minimum age requirement is 13. Students 12 years may volunteer if accompanied by their parent / other responsible adult.
Either send us your volunteer verification form via email at christmasproviders@gmail.com or bring a hard copy and we will sign it on-site after your shift.
We suggest everyone dress comfortably, especially with your choice of shoes. You’ll be on your feet, so keeping them happy will do you good! Seating will be available for those who wish to take a break. It’s a casual atmosphere, so dress as you like to stay comfortable.
It is helpful to bring gloves and an apron when sorting/packing food.
We will have limited room for personal items this year; please lock in your car.
Water is available for all volunteers. Sometimes we may also have snacks. You may bring your own snacks. If working more than 4 hours, you should plan to take a break to get a more substantial meal.
There is very limited space in the building, typically folks eat outside or in their car. For those coming straight from work or school, you are more than welcome to eat on the premises.
Many years, we have the great fortune to finish our goal of completed boxes by mid-day on Wednesday. However, we still need volunteers on Wed. afternoon to sort and box the balance of food donations so that we can give it back to the community.
It is worth noting, that while some years we are finished with everything by mid afternoon there are years when we’ve needed additional volunteers to help move boxes and equipment (Tables, carts, etc.) to an off-site location. By providing your email we will proactively notify you of any change in the need for volunteers.
We have been very fortunate for the generosity of the community that donates the food. While we strive to give every family 2 boxes of food, we have only been able to give one box to some families when the donations are lower than we need. Every year we give back any extra food to local food banks.
Sometimes, yes.
And on occasion, we have folks who will donate items where we fall short. Typically, we need peanut butter, jelly (plastic jars) and regular size boxes of cereal (so they fit in the box). Sometimes it’s tuna, sometimes it’s mac and cheese.
If we do run out during the boxing process, we supplement the missing item with another type of boxed or canned item.
Once our goal is met to meet the needs of our adopted families for the season, we re-box (yes, we box up what we unboxed just a few days prior!) all remaining food and it is then donated to a few local food banks so that we can “pay it forward.” Nothing goes to waste.
Wednesday afternoon is when we repack food for the other food banks. We box all like items together, label each box, then arrange for those organizations to pick up needed inventory to help serve the needs of their clients.