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Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Got questions before you sign up? We’re here to help. Check out these frequently asked questions to learn more. If your question is not answered below, please contact us below or call 615-627-1581. We’re glad you’re here!
We receive thousands of pounds of food each week from local grocery stores, community food drives, manufactures, distributors, and farms. Donations arrive on bulk pallets and boxes, where volunteers then inspect and pack items into boxes categorized by type. Once boxed, food is inventoried and becomes available for Second Harvest’s Partner Agencies to order.
Projects vary and may include:
See the volunteer calendar for a full list of what’s currently available.
All volunteer shifts must be scheduled in advance in our online volunteer calendar. Walk-ins may not be accepted. Individuals and families can see open shifts and sign up to volunteer directly on the calendar.
Groups of five or more must be scheduled by a designated group leader who is at least 18 years old. Once the shift is scheduled, the group leader receives a confirmation email with assignment details and registration information that needs to be shared with the group members. Please click here to fill out a group form request.
331 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37228
Food Sorting Opportunities (ages 12+) and Cold Food Sorting Opportunities (ages 16+):
Kid-friendly opportunities, offered only during the school year (ages 6+):
Market Attendant (ages 18+)
1958 Almaville Road, Smyrna, TN, 37167
Food sorting opportunities (ages 12+)
Offered during the last two weeks of each month
69 Benton Industrial Road, Camden, TN, 38320
Food sorting opportunities (ages 12+)
Second Harvest does not offer group volunteer opportunities on Sundays or Mondays. See the volunteer calendar for a full list of what is currently available.
Bags, backpacks, and purses are not permitted in the warehouse. If you’re bringing a bag, you are welcome to use our free lockers onsite. Phones are allowed to use only for pictures in the warehouse.
Bring a reusable plastic or steel water bottle (no glass allowed). We also have bottles of water available if you forget to bring your own!
Anyone under 18 must provide a signed Youth Volunteer Waiver which can be printed by clicking here.
Closed-toe shoes are required for all volunteers. No exceptions! Volunteers wearing sandals or flip-flops will not be allowed to volunteer.
We suggest wearing casual/comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty!
If you are scheduled to volunteer in our cooler, please bring a sweatshirt and wear long pants. If needed, we have jackets and gloves available on site.
Leave personal or valuable possessions at home, if possible (i.e., electronics, jewelry, money, etc.). Second Harvest is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
If you’re volunteering individually, you can cancel a shift by simply logging into your volunteer account and selecting “cancel registration” on the assigned shift.
If you’re volunteering with a group, we ask that you notify us within 48 hours of a cancellation or significant group size change by contacting us at volunteer@secondharvestmidtn.org.
Yes. When volunteers are late or leave early, they’re unable to enjoy the full volunteer experience. If you are unable to stay for the entire shift, we invite you to sign up to volunteer at another time.
Each volunteer shift will begin with a brief orientation and training on your assigned task before you start working. Training may be required for specialized administrative or volunteer leader roles.
Volunteers will use the main entrance at each location. A staff person will greet you and assist you with the check-in process.
The minimum age for volunteers is 12 years old and for Cold Food Sorting, it is 16 years old. However, the minimum age is lowered to 6 years old for kid-friendly shifts. Volunteers under age 18 must have a Youth Volunteer Waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
All volunteers younger than 16 must volunteer with an adult. We ask that 1 adult volunteer be present for every 7 volunteers under age 18. Our projects take place in an industrial warehouse with dangerous operating equipment and safety is a major concern, particularly for young children.
Yes. Court Appointed Community Service shifts are available during weekday business hours. Shift times vary by location. There are no weekend or evening shifts available.
MARTIN DISTRIBUTION CENTER – NASHVILLE
Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Court Ordered Community Service Policies – Nashville
NACARATO DISTRIBUTION CENTER – SMYRNA
Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Court-Ordered Community Service Policies – Smyrna
RAY SMITH FAMILY DISTRIBUTION CENTER – CAMDEN
Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Court Ordered Community Service Policies – Camden
Court Appointed Community Service hours won’t be credited to volunteers working at any other time or for any other volunteer opportunity.
Second Harvest is concerned with the safety of all volunteers, employees, and guests. Volunteers work in a warehouse environment around hazardous equipment and chemicals. We want our volunteers to have a fun and rewarding experience while also abiding by our safety standards. Read our hazardous material volunteer training here.
Volunteer groups range in size from 5 to 25 people spread amongst multiple project rooms at all three locations. Currently, we are not booking groups larger than 25 individuals in each project room. If the group size exceeds 25, we can separate your group into different project rooms based on availability. All group scheduling availability depends on Second Harvest’s project and business needs at any given time. Please click here to fill out a group request form.
Yes. Each member of your group over the age of 18 must register on our website before their volunteer shift.
When you place a group reservation, you will receive an email with a unique link. As group leader it’s your responsibility to distribute this link to your group so that they can pre-register. This allows us to have a record of each volunteer and record individual liability waivers.
All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a hard copy of the Youth Volunteer Waiver. This form can be turned in the day of the volunteer project.
Reach out any time with the contact form below or by calling 615-627-1581. We’d be happy to help.
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