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Volunteer with Feed America

Feed America operates a free open-data food-assistance directory — we don't run physical pantries, so volunteer roles look different from a traditional food bank. But the 5 paths below all directly improve food access for the 47 million Americans who need it.

What volunteering here looks like. Feed America is a directory + open-data organization, not a warehouse operation. If you want to volunteer at a physical food bank, use our directory to find one near you and contact it directly. If you want to improve directory data quality, build on our open data, or claim a pantry listing, you're in the right place.

1. Claim your local pantry's listing (highest impact, ~5 min)

If you operate or work at a food pantry, soup kitchen, mobile pantry, or community fridge, claim the listing. Your one-time claim adds a one-tap "Open Today / Closed Today / Low Stock" status that surfaces live to searchers — eliminating wasted trips for hungry families.

Pantry operator portal →

2. Verify a food-assistance location (~30 sec each)

Found a pantry whose hours look stale? Closed permanently? Different phone number? Click the "Report wrong info" button on the listing — 2 wrong-info reports in 30 days put the listing in our review queue.

Search the directory → · How verification works →

3. Build on our open data and APIs

Our data and APIs are open (CC BY 4.0, OpenAPI, HSDS 3.0); the application code is not public. The APIs are available for 211 networks, AI assistants (via MCP server + OpenAPI), HSDS 3.0 Open Referral consumers, and SDOH platforms. Report data problems or API issues to info@feedam.org.

4. Translate Spanish content (bilingual contributors)

Feed America publishes every page in English + Spanish (see /es). Native or fluent Spanish speakers can help by reviewing existing translations or translating new condition-specific guides. Email info@feedam.org for the active queue.

5. Recruit your local pantry to claim its listing

The biggest data-quality lever: operator-claim rate. Few listings have a verified operator claim today. If you know a pantry operator, please share feedam.org/pantry with them. The claim flow takes 60 seconds. Each claim adds a real-time "open today" signal for searchers.

Local pantry volunteering (search by ZIP)

Want to volunteer at a physical pantry near you? Use our directory to find your nearest pantry, then call them to ask about volunteer needs. Most pantries have ongoing volunteer opportunities and welcome new helpers.

Find a pantry near you →

Donate instead

If you'd rather support food assistance financially: donate to Feed America. We're a 501(c)(3); donations are tax-deductible. Feed America files the IRS Form 990-N; see /transparency for filings and how funds are used. EIN 92-1761881.

Questions about volunteer opportunities? Email info@feedam.org.