Meet Julie, a dedicated volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank who has made a lasting impact on her community. From greeting participants with a warm smile to serving as a pickup proxy for seniors in need, Julie’s story highlights the power of compassion, connection, and commitment. Celebrate her journey, learn what keeps her coming back, and discover how volunteers like Julie help fight hunger every day.
At the Redwood Empire Food Bank, volunteers turn compassion into action—helping sort food, serve neighbors, prepare meals, harvest produce, and more. With opportunities to fit every schedule and interest, it’s easy to make a lasting impact and be part of building a hunger-free community.
Become a Super Volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank and help lead the way in the fight to end hunger. From supporting fellow volunteers to ensuring safe and efficient operations in our Warehouse and Food Connections Market, Super Volunteers play a key role in feeding more than 140,000 neighbors each year. Learn how you can step up, lead with heart, and make an even greater impact.
At just 15 years old, Zuli has already dedicated over 1,000 hours to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, becoming a role model for young volunteers. Her inspiring journey—from shy first-timer to award-winning community leader—shows how one young person can make a powerful difference.
Donna’s path to volunteering began during the pandemic and quickly grew into a weekly commitment at our Food Connections Market. Her dedication and leadership play a vital role in keeping the Market running smoothly and ensuring our neighbors have the food they need.
Donna encourages others to find a volunteer role that fits their schedule and passions—because everyone has something valuable to contribute. Ready to make a difference? Join us at the Redwood Empire Food Bank—every shift matters.
At the Redwood Empire Food Bank, we value every moment our volunteers spend supporting the community. That’s why we created Punch Out Hunger—a loyalty program that turns your time into chances to win great prizes. Each shift earns you a stamp, and every 10 stamps gets you entered into our monthly drawing. With prizes donated by generous local businesses, it’s our way of saying thank you for showing up and making a difference. The more you volunteer, the more chances you have to win—and the more impact we make together.
After the devastating 2017 wildfires, Molly Milano stepped up to help her community at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. What started as a single act of kindness grew into a lasting commitment to serve those in need. Through hands-on work, meaningful connections, and inspiring moments in the kitchen, Molly’s story shows how one person’s time and heart can make a powerful difference.
Looking for a fun, affordable, and sustainable way to volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank? Take the SMART Train! Just hop off at the Sonoma County Airport station and walk or take the SMART Connect shuttle to our Distribution Center—it’s that easy.
When Dee Dee Butori began volunteering with the Redwood Empire Food Bank during the pandemic, she never expected how deeply it would impact her life. In this heartfelt story, Dee Dee shares how one rainy afternoon—and an unexpected birthday cake—became a moment of pure connection she'll never forget. From learning not to judge others to finding a sense of purpose, Dee Dee’s journey is a moving reminder of the quiet power of service and compassion.
In this heartwarming blog, we share the story of harvesting green tomatoes alongside passionate volunteers, learning about sustainable farming, and witnessing the journey of fresh produce from the Famr to Fight Hunger fields to the Redwood Empire Food Bank's Kitchen Collective. Discover how this powerful partnership transforms overlooked ingredients into nourishing meals, strengthens community bonds, and highlights the deep connection between agriculture and food security. Whether you're curious about green tomato pie or inspired to volunteer, this behind-the-scenes look offers a fresh perspective on fighting hunger—one harvest at a time.
