Volunteers are needed to help families get food, clothing and other basic necessities at the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Training is provided when a volunteer first arrives.
Individual Signup: To sign up individually or up to 3 people, click here.
Group Signup: To sign up a group of 4 or more, please email Missy at missy@familiesforward.org.
Volunteers help in the following way each day:
- Food Pantry Guide: Guiding families through their grocery “shopping” experience.
- Clothing Pantry: Sorting, hanging, and organizing clothing and household donations.
- Grocery Aisles: Stocking and facing grocery items.
Volunteers needed Monday through Friday (day time and evening shifts) and some Saturdays.
Volunteers should be 5 years of age or older to volunteer. Youth 12 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering.
Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404 or by text at 515-346-8895.
About Families Forward Bidwell Pantry: At the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Help families “shop” through our free building for food, personal care items, clothing, and household items. Serving 6,000 - 9,000 individuals per month, our pantry provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing.
About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience.
Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more.
About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.
