General Inquiries
- How do I sign up?
New volunteers need to schedule a volunteer orientation/tour before they can start a shift.
Please contact [email protected] or 503-405-4295 to schedule a date.
Returning volunteers please contact [email protected] or 503-405-4295.
- Where are you located?
Please arrive at:
17805 SE Stark St.
Portland, OR 97233
(We are located behind the Rockwood Center, we share the same driveway, please park and ring doorbell if you are scheduled to arrive before or after Client Services hours.)
- What will volunteers be doing?
Once you have attended the Volunteer Orientation, you will be given job descriptions. To read more about the job descriptions please click here.
- What should I wear?
This varies with the type of shift you've signed up for and will be included in the job description.
Warehouse - For safety reasons, you WILL BE TURNED AWAY for improper footwear and clothing. Shoes must have closed toes and heels (no sandals, clogs, mules or high heels). Shirt must have sleeves (NO TANK TOPS). Please remove any secure jewelry prior to the shift.
Temperature in the volunteer areas can vary. Layers are recommended.
- Do volunteers need to bring equipment?
No, all gear is provided. This includes gardening tools, gloves, etc for gardening shifts
- What if I need to cancel?
We're counting on your help to get food out to people who really need it! If you have to cancel, please contact our Main Number 503-674-8785 and leave a message with your name, area supervisor or area you were scheduled to volunteer at.
Who can volunteer?
- Can children volunteer?
Yes. Age restrictions vary depending on the shift you select. Youth Release forms are required for first-time volunteers under 18. DOWNLOAD FORM.
Youth under 16 need to volunteer with an adult or chaperone. Minimum age for chaperones is 18. DOWNLOAD CHAPERONE GUIDELINES.
Age requirement:
Perishable Repack Room - Age 6+
Garden clean-up - All ages
- Can I complete court mandated community service at SnowCap?
If you wold like to apply to our Court Mandated Program, please contact Nate, [email protected], 503-405-4295. We have a limited spots and currently have a long wait-list
- Can I do community service at SnowCap for a school requirement or project?
Yes. Please contact Nate for a volunteer orientation and current openings at [email protected], 503-405-4295.
- Can I request additional assistance?
We do our best to make our volunteer opportunities accessible to everyone. Please email in advance to let us know of ways that we could assist you and ensure a successful and positive experience. Please email [email protected].
When can I volunteer?
- Do I need to sign up in advance?
Yes. All volunteers need to sign up in advance.
We plan projects and assign staff based on the number of volunteers we've scheduled. Please contact [email protected] or call 503-405-4295.
- Why do we have to arrive 15 min. before the start of the shift?
With large numbers of volunteers, it takes time to get everyone checked in, for volunteers to put their belongings away, etc. Arriving in advance of the shift ensures we start on time and get food to those who need it most.
- Can we schedule a volunteer shift for a day outside of your regular volunteer dates?
We schedule shifts 4 months in advance. Unfortunately, we cannot schedule shifts outside of the regular schedule.
- Do I need to make an ongoing commitment?
No. You may sign up for those shifts that work for you.
If you are able to make a regular commitment - that would be wonderful! We recommend that you try out the different types of shifts, and when you find a time/shift you like, ask our volunteer coordinator to sign you up as a regular.
Groups
- How do I sign up a group?
The minimum for a group is at least 5 members; otherwise please sign up as individuals. Questions please contact [email protected] or call 503-405-4295.
- Can I bring a school group?
Yes.
All of our volunteer shifts are at a set day and time. Please bring the signed waivers for children under 18. To download the waiver please click here.
We ask all volunteers to arrive 15 minutes before their shift start time and stay for the duration of the shift.
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Grades K-5 - one adult for every five children
Grade 6-8 - one adult for every seven children
Grades 9-12 - one adult for every 10 students
- How can we increase or decrease our group size?
You are able to change your roster at any time. However, the number of spaces reserved for your group usually cannot increase due to space limitations. Please contact [email protected] for additional details.
- What is the minimum and maximum volunteer capacity for groups?
The minimum number of volunteers for a group is 5. Otherwise please sign up as individuals.
The maximum for school groups is 25, including adult chaperones.
For other groups, depending on the shift, groups can bring up to 30. Email [email protected] if you have a group larger than 25 in order to make special arrangements.
- Can we reserve a room for our group to meet before or after our shift?
No, unfortunately we have very limited space in our facility. If you wish to meet as a group prior to your start of your shift or after please let our volunteer coordinator know.
- I just want to bring some friends, but we don't have an official group. What do I do?
If there are 5 or more of you, you are able to sign up as a group and no need to be affiliated to an organization/corporation.
- What do we do if we need to change the date our group is signed up to volunteer?
Our volunteer coordinator manages all the group schedules. Please email [email protected] for any changes or cancellations.
Copyright © 2024
In accordance with federal law and US Department of Agriculture Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
SnowCap is an equal opportunity provider.
Donor Privacy:
SnowCap will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by SnowCap, both online and off line, on any platform (this refers to the website or any mobile applications that may be developed), as well as any electronic, written or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.
In accordance with federal law and US Department of Agriculture Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
SnowCap is an equal opportunity provider.
Donor Privacy:
SnowCap will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by SnowCap, both online and off line, on any platform (this refers to the website or any mobile applications that may be developed), as well as any electronic, written or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.