Food Link is powered by volunteers. Since our inception in 2012, dedicated members of our community have stepped up to help us rescue food and reduce waste. Our volunteers regularly donate over 1,000 hours of their time each month, to join us in picking up food donations, sorting and packaging boxes for delivery, keeping our space clean and organized, and much more.

This April, in light of Earth Day and Volunteer Appreciation Week, all of us at Food Link want to reflect on the importance of working together toward sustainability. By preventing food from going to landfills, we are saving the environment from harmful greenhouse gasses. Rescuing food provides necessary nutrition to those in need. As we envision a world without waste, in which everyone has enough, we want to thank our volunteers who make our mission possible.

Continue reading for insights on what volunteering with Food Link means to some of our corps.

I am so grateful to Food Link for giving me and my daughter such a special opportunity to volunteer together. It is challenging to find meaningful service opportunities for younger children, but at Food Link she gets to be hands-on. Our experience at Food Link has helped both of us to see firsthand the positive impact that donations of food and funds have on the community.
—Pauline Benninga

I love the camaraderie at Food Link. I'm part of Team Tuesday. The staff and volunteers have gotten to know each other well. There's a lot of joking as we work and a lot of friendliness.
—Margaret Moody

Volunteering at Food Link means connecting with my community and being a part of a crucial mission that touches on food security, environmental justice, and equity. Every time—truly, every single time—I report to my designated grocery store to pick up their unsellable leftovers, I am baffled by how much beautiful, edible, and nutritious food would otherwise go to waste. I am so grateful that organizations like Food Link exist, so that I may play even a small role in the monumental work they are doing to nourish the people in our community.
—Patricia Camerota

In 2021, Food Link built a community of 620 volunteers, totaling 15,582 hours.

The moment a friend told me about Food Link, I knew I wanted to volunteer. I love the immediacy of the impact. When I pick up food at Wegmans in the morning, I know that it will find its way to someone's table later that day or very soon after. I also support Food Link's efforts to educate our community about how to avoid food waste in our own homes. Food Link tackles several sides of a problem, and I'm pleased to continue supporting it.
—Jeff Buxbaum

It is fulfilling to see that food isn't going to waste, whether that is through food rescue distributions or by diverting waste to farm feed.* When so many people are experiencing food insecurity, it is wonderful to see that Food Link is mitigating waste and providing a solution to the issues at hand.

—Deborah Guastini
*Food Link partners with local farmers to repurpose food scraps as feed for animals.

In a time when immediate action is required to combat global warming and climate change, reducing food waste is considered by climate scientists to be one of the best ways for an individual to make an impact. Food Link’s efforts in food rescue are one of the best ways for our community to participate in the battle to reduce carbon emissions on a daily basis. I wholeheartedly appreciate the opportunity to volunteer weekly in Food Link’s operations to recover potential food waste from the food chain. For me, it’s Food Link’s most meaningful purpose.
—Brian Rojo

I joined Food Link as a new graduate wanting to meet new people and connect with my new community. I originally discovered Food Link at a Town Day event; a volunteer at the table told me about opportunities to get involved. Sorting food lends to my creativity -- I can imagine how the recipients will piece together meals and I get inspired. Volunteering is a great way for me to unwind mentally, connect with others who have similar interests to me, and reset weekly from work and other stressors.
—Irene Lee

In 2021, Food Link volunteers and staff collected 1.4 million lbs. of food – the equivalent of 1.2 million meals – and prevented 411,600 lbs. of carbon dioxide pollution.

I am passionate about helping others. I value Food Link's outreach to donors. The contributions from stores, wholesalers, and farms are so generous and help us deliver so much nutritious food to those in need. It feels really good to be part of Food Link's mission.
—Jacalyn Starr

I’ve been a volunteer with Food Link for almost four years now. I have met so many incredible and passionate people and have learned so much about the power of food and food insecurity in my community. Volunteering has taught me so much about sustainability, being resourceful and intentional, and has opened my eyes to the reality of food waste in my community and the ways we can combat it. I am incredibly grateful for all the things I’ve learned so far as a volunteer.
—Amy Tran

My favorite thing about Food link is everything. I like packing eggs, depackaging food for compost, and sorting.
—Tommy Trischitta

Food Link’s volunteers are crucial to achieving our mission. Check out opportunities to get involved, and learn more about our program by visiting our website, following us on Instagram and Facebook, and signing up for our newsletter.

To our devoted volunteers: thank you for your time, your good spirits, and your willingness to lend a helping hand.

Volunteering to Create a Sustainable and Equitable Future