Volunteer

How You Can Help

Volunteer Food Rescuers help us transport food from our food donor partners to local homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and other human service agencies in our communities. Each food rescue event typically takes less than an hour. Food rescues may be completed by public transport, by personal vehicle, on foot and even by bicycle. With just an hour of your time, you can help reduce food waste and provide meals to those who need it most all around the country!

What day?

What time?

What neighborhood?

Our food rescue events are scheduled to occur on a recurring, weekly basis, and take place morning, noon, and night, seven days a week. Whether it’s once-a-month, once-a-week, or once-a day we are in need of your help as we seek to provide a reliable food rescue service by fostering community connections to reduce food waste and food insecurity!

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I started volunteering with RLC over 3 years ago. To say I love this organization is an understatement. Their volunteer model is perfect for people with busy schedules... for those who feel like they want to help their community but don't have time. Carving out just 30 minutes to an hour out of your week to rescue food that would be thrown away helps reduce waste, feed the hungry, and save lives. It's that simple. And it's fun!"

Lauren Lead Rescuer

Volunteers are the vital link between our food donor and human service agency partners. In short, they ARE Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, and that means to be a volunteer you are…

R esourceful

You’re an independent operator, and willing and able to find solutions to unexpected issues

L eaders

Not interested in sitting in the background, you’re ready to step up and lead the fight against food waste and food insecurity in our communities and inspire others to do the same

C ommitted

You understand the gravity of what we do, and you’re committed to ensuring that our partners receive a reliable food rescue service so that no food is wasted while the hungry are in need

Be A Lead Rescuer and lead the same food rescue event every week, reducing food waste and food insecurity in our communities while inspiring others to do the same. You would lead other volunteers on food rescue events, take attendance, and report the number of pounds of food rescued via our online portal.
Be A Core Rescuer and lead the same five food rescue event every week, reducing food waste and food insecurity in our communities while inspiring others to do the same. You would lead other volunteers on food rescue events, take attendance, and report the number of pounds of food rescued via our online portal. Core Rescuers receive a cart to help transport food, and are compensated with the equivalent of an unlimited monthly MetroCard.

Different regions have different volunteer opportunities. Check in with your local branch to learn more about ways that you can become more involved with RLC in your community!

I've had a really awesome experience with RLC. I've had some amazing volunteers and I've created a lot of meaningful relationships with the folks living at the human service agencies I'd bring food to...Can't thank you all enough!"

Eva former Core Rescuer