Volunteer FAQs

FIRST, REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN JOIN THE VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY

In TWO simple steps:

STEP 1:
Register first to join our volunteer team.

Fill out the form below if you are interested in getting involved with Fareground in any way. You only need to do this one time.

If you have already filled out the volunteer registration form, go to Step 2. ===>

STEP 2:
Sign up for a volunteer shift on our calendar.

Click here to sign up for a volunteer shift or email us to set up a time to discuss how your special skills can support Fareground’s work.

General

Fareground

Volunteer

FAQs

  • Please go to fareground.org/volunteerand register first by filling out our registration form! 

    Next, please click on our Sign-up Genius link and select the shifts you’re able to make. If you have to arrive at a certain time or leave at a certain time, please make a comment in the notes section. You will receive an email as a confirmation and the system will also remind you of your upcoming shift. 

  • We have a variety of opportunities available! Wednesdays for our Grocery Box Packing and Appointment Based Markets.

    On Fridays we always have our community dinner shifts, and depending on our schedule, we have a few Free Marketplaces based in Beacon, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Wappingers Falls.

     We also have several types of volunteer opportunities that are not listed in sign up genius. Those include building/repairing Tiny Food Pantries, serving on the fundraising committee, picking up food donations, unloading donation deliveries, cleaning community fridges and tiny food pantries. In addition, you might have specialized skills you would like to lend to our work such as  construction, plumbing, electric, fundraising, graphic design, marketing, photography, videography, writing, web design, accounting, etc. As always, we encourage folks to add items to our Tiny Food Pantries and fridges, found here.

    • Show up with a welcoming, friendly, and positive attitude. 

    • Treat everyone with dignity and respect, including fellow volunteers. 

    • Handle all food, equipment, and supplies with care. 

    • Follow proper hygiene practices like frequent hand washing, wearing gloves when handling food, and staying home if you are not feeling well. 

    • Know your limits and avoid lifting anything that is too heavy for you.

    • Keep food at least 4 inches off the ground at all times.

    • Avoid advising on or criticizing participants’ choices. 

    • Refrain from discriminatory or prejudicial behavior, actions or speech. 

    • Address any concerns promptly with a Fareground board or staff member.

    • Respect the privacy of staff, volunteers, and participants.

  • No experience required! We do ask for you to let us know if you’re not able to lift heavy as we do a lot of box carrying at Fareground. 

    All volunteers must complete two training videos every year. Please click here to complete them. In addition, we offer volunteer orientations quarterly throughout the year and on-site orientation/training. Please check our website and social media for updates.

    Please use our mission and values as a guide in your work with Fareground!

  • If you’re under 16, we do require a guardian to volunteer with you during your shift. If you are 16 or 17, we require that you include two emergency contact names and phone numbers and have permission to volunteer from your guardian.

  • Absolutely! For large groups please email and coordinate with Maritza to see what is the best shift for your group/school/company. E-mail: maritza@fareground.org

  • Yes! We kindly ask that you bring your form every time you volunteer with us and fill it out completely before Maritza or Jamie sign it.

  • Shifts vary depending on Fareground needs. All the times are listed on Sign-up Genius. If you can only commit an hour or so of your time, we’re OK with that! Please make sure you let us know ahead of time how long you’re planning to stay so we can better coordinate. Using the comment feature in Sign-up Genius is the best way to note how your availability differs from the listed shift duration

  • As much as we’d love that, no! However, we’d love it if you signed up in advance for shifts to help us plan and recruit more volunteers as needed.

  • Depending on the shift you’re signed up for, it varies. 


    If you sign up for a cooking/serving/busing shift, please wear close-toed shoes, an apron, a hat or bandana, hair tied back, etc. 


    For our Free Marketplaces/Free Farmstands and Grocery shifts, wear comfortable clothing and close-toed shoes. Dressing in layers can be very helpful as the temperatures can change substantially during a shift. For the outdoor shifts, please consider your needs for being outside like hats, gloves, boots in the winter, and sunscreen, hat, water for the summer.

  • Please refer to the automatic email from sign-up genius; use the link enclosed to cancel your shift and remove yourself from the list.

    We understand that emergencies happen, for any Wednesday shifts/Free Marketplaces/Driving shifts, please text Maritza at 845-901-6687. For Community Dinner shifts, please contact Jamie at 845-375-7194

Wednesday Shift

& Driving Shift

Questions

FAQs

  • Depending on the time you sign up, Wednesdays include a mix of hands-on tasks and you’ll be assigned one or more tasks once you arrive. 

    Tasks might include: unloading donations, carrying boxes of food, sorting food, packing food, organizing food/supplies, rotating stock, cleaning, packaging food, or other projects.

    A team of volunteers sort and pack groceries for homebound folks that are unable to attend our free marketplaces. Another team of volunteers set-up an appointment based free marketplace for people to come and shop that are not able to attend our larger community-based free marketplaces. We also ask volunteers to help us organize, clean, and do other tasks based on FG needs that week.

  • Volunteers assemble the boxes, attach packing labels and then begin creating produce bags and meat bags for each box based on household size and dietary needs. Next, volunteers use a box packing matrix to add a balanced range of foods to each box that exceeds state requirements and is aligned with household size and dietary needs. Our goal is to provide a range of groceries from all food groups and pack them thoughtfully and carefully like you would pack a gift for a loved one.

  • We always have a need for people who are able to lift heavy boxes. However, we ask that all volunteers remain aware of their physical constraints and never try to lift anything that is too heavy for them. If you're unable to lift, please let us know! We kindly ask that you listen to and respect your body. Always ask for help if you need help lifting a heavy item.

  • We set up tables with different food group stations like meat/protein, fruits + vegetables, grains, dairy, and other extras. Shoppers check-in with a volunteer and shop for themselves and or other households. You’ll be assigned at a station where you’ll help distribute food. Not only will you distribute the food but you’ll also help set up the market and help break it down.

  • Please park your car behind the building near the dumpsters, then go down the wooden steps and let one of the volunteers know you’re here for a grocery delivery shift. Depending on the week, it will be either a Mutual Aid week or a Fareground week.

    The only difference is that Mutual Aid uses an app to route drivers, while Fareground currently does not. A volunteer will direct you to your boxes. Each box has a label with the recipient’s name, phone number, and address. The label will also indicate whether you need to carry the box to the recipient or if they’ll meet you outside to pick it up.

    If the recipient doesn’t answer their phone or texts, or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving the box outside, you’re welcome to take it to a nearby tiny food pantry/fridge or share the food with your neighbors. Please text Maritza (845-901-6687) about this so she can follow up with the recipient. 

  • No, please let us know if you’re running late or if you need to come a bit earlier for your boxes. We’re pretty flexible as long as you let us know in advance.

  • Absolutely! Please keep in mind that we usually assign 3-5 boxes per delivery. As long as there is enough room in your vehicle, feel free to bring your kids or friends with you to help deliver.

  • We currently deliver to Beacon, Fishkill, Wappingers, Hopewell, and Newburgh.