Every pound of food you rescue is a meal for a family in need.
When grocery stores have surplus food, you help make sure it never goes to waste — and never goes far. As a Food Rescue Volunteer, you'll pick up donations from local retailers and bring them directly to the Bidwell Pantry, where families in our community are counting on what you carry through the door.
This is a great fit for someone who wants a consistent, active role with a tangible impact they can see every single week.
What you'll do: Meet at the Bidwell Pantry, then head out with a staff member or fellow volunteer to nearby grocery stores and retailers. You'll help load donated food into the vehicle, return to the pantry to unload and properly store items, and keep a quick record of what was collected. You're back at the pantry and done by 10:00 AM — a great way to make a real difference before your day gets started.
When we need you: Monday through Friday, 8:00–10:00 AM
Choose one day per week that works consistently with your schedule. Regular volunteers are especially valuable — stores get to know you, and the relationships you build make the work even smoother over time.
What you bring:
- Age 18 or older
- Ability to lift and carry food items
- A commitment to showing up on your chosen day — families plan their week around what we bring in
Why it matters: The Bidwell Pantry serves around 130 families every single day who are experiencing food insecurity in Des Moines. Food rescue pickups are one of the most direct ways volunteers keep the shelves stocked and the pantry running. You're not just helping out — you're part of the supply chain that makes it work.
Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404 or by text at 515-346-8895.
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.
