Volunteer in Iowa City with Table to Table: Join Our Food Rescue Team

At Table to Table, we believe that together, we can make a meaningful difference in our Johnson County community. Whether you’re looking for volunteer opportunities in Iowa City or want to become a food rescue volunteer in Iowa, our amazing volunteers are an essential part of our movement to fight hunger. No experience is required—our volunteer program includes training for each role!

Start Volunteering in Iowa City Today
Join us on a food rescue route, help with produce recovery, or support our office operations and more! Whether you’re searching for morning volunteer opportunities, weekend volunteer shifts, or flexible volunteer schedules in Iowa City, we have a role that fits your availability.
Click the button below for our volunteer application, email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@table2table.org, or call us at 319-337-3400. Have a few more questions? Visit our Volunteer FAQ below or give us a call!

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Food Rescue Volunteer Opportunities in Iowa City and Johnson County

There are many ways you can get involved as a Table to Table volunteer. From food rescue routes to gleaning and produce distribution, your time and effort will directly impact the lives of our Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, and Johnson County neighbors facing food insecurity.

T2T volunteers Will and Dedi outside of van with carts of food packed into banana boxes.

Food Rescue Route Volunteer – Drive or Ride Along
What you’ll do: Join our food rescue volunteer team in Iowa City and help collect excess food from donors, then deliver it to local pantries, shelters, preschools, and community organizations throughout Johnson County.

Responsibilities:

Interact with donor and recipient organizations across Iowa City and Johnson County

Box and load donated food items into our Table to Table vans.

Transport food to food access agencies throughout the community

Unload food at drop-off points

When: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–Noon. Shifts typically last 1–3 hours. Saturday morning routes available at 9:00 a.m.

Commitment: We ask for a minimum of 30 total hours of volunteer time for this role and can be spread out over several months. Most shifts last 2–3 hours.This flexible volunteer schedule works for students, professionals, and retirees.

Physical Requirements: Food rescue route volunteers regularly lift boxes weighing 20-40 lbs.

Driver Requirements: Volunteers on food rescue routes work in pairs, with one driver volunteer and one passenger. A valid driver’s license is required for volunteers who drive our vans—but you don’t need to use your personal vehicle!

Age Requirement: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to participate in food rescue routes, making this a great teen volunteer opportunity in Iowa City.

Volunteer Rajni Vijh amongst many banana boxes in the T2T shop.

Fleet & Facilities Volunteer – Keep Our Food Rescue Operations Running
What you’ll do: Ensure our vans and facilities are ready to serve the Iowa City community. You’ll help maintain our fleet, prep vehicles, and ensure our facility runs smoothly for daily food rescue operations.
Responsibilities:

Stock vans with boxes, check fuel levels, and sanitize surfaces

Sanitize work surfaces in the warehouse, check refrigeration temperatures, and assist with other facility tasks

When: Monday–Friday, between 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. Shifts are usually two hours—perfect afternoon volunteer opportunities in Iowa City.

Reception Volunteer – Welcome Our Community
What you’ll do: Be the welcoming face of Table to Table! Help greet volunteers and visitors, answer phones, and assist with food donations at our Iowa City location.

Responsibilities:

Greet volunteers and visitors at the office

Answer phones and provide information to the public about volunteer opportunities in Iowa City

Assist with walk in food donations and general office tasks

When: Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Shifts are typically two hours.

Local Produce Recovery: Fresh Food Volunteer Opportunities in Iowa City

We’re passionate about providing fresh, locally-grown produce to our Johnson County neighbors. Join us in the field or at the market and help us recover and distribute this bounty through these unique volunteer opportunities.

Four T2T staff and volunteers pose with eggplants gleaned at Echollective Farm

Gleaning – Harvest Excess Produce at Local Iowa Farms

What you’ll do: Harvest surplus fruits and vegetables from local farms and orchards throughout Johnson County. No experience necessary—we’ll train you! This is one of our most popular summer volunteer opportunities in Iowa City.
When: During the harvest season (typically June–October).

Natalie in the shop with a food donation of edible gourds.

Produce Auction – Recover Fresh Food for the Community

Shorts Family Farm donation at IC Farmers Market 8-12-23

Farmers' Markets – Collect Unsold Produce

Free Produce Stands – Distribute Fresh Food Directly

Group Volunteer Opportunities in Iowa City

Looking for corporate volunteer opportunities or student group service projects in Iowa City? Groups can volunteer for fleet and facility roles or glean with us on local farms. Table to Table offers rewarding group volunteer experiences perfect for team building, corporate community service, or student organizations in Johnson County.
To set up a group volunteering opportunity, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@table2table.org.

Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions – Iowa City Food Rescue

Do I need to be a driver to volunteer with food rescue routes in Iowa City?

No, driving is not required to help with food rescue routes. For our food rescue volunteer shifts, two volunteers work together to rescue the food. One person is needed to drive our van, and one volunteer rides along as the passenger. You do not need a driver’s license to be a food rescue volunteer in Iowa City.
Do I need to use my car for food rescue volunteer work?
How often do I need to volunteer in Iowa City?

Table to Table can be quite flexible when scheduling volunteers, depending on the volunteer role. We have food rescue route volunteers who volunteer once per week, some who volunteer several times per week, and some who volunteer a couple of times per month. Chances are, if you’re interested in volunteer opportunities in Iowa City, we can find a schedule to fit your availability.
What time of day are volunteer opportunities available?

While the majority of our food rescue routes are morning volunteer shifts, other opportunities like Fleet & Facility, Reception, and Data Entry typically take place in the afternoon. The majority of our volunteer roles in Iowa City take place between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.
Do you need volunteers on the weekend in Iowa City?
How long are the volunteer shifts at Table to Table?

Ready to become a food rescue volunteer in Iowa City? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator today at volunteer@table2table.org or call 319-337-3400. Join the Table to Table volunteer team and help fight hunger in Johnson County—no experience necessary!

Become a Food Rescue Superhero like these amazing volunteers!

Check out more volunteer spotlights here.

Accordion Title

Volunteer in Iowa City with Table to Table: Join Our Food Rescue Team

Food Rescue Volunteer Opportunities in Iowa City and Johnson County

Local Produce Recovery: Fresh Food Volunteer Opportunities in Iowa City

Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions – Iowa City Food Rescue

Do I need to be a driver to volunteer with food rescue routes in Iowa City?

Do I need to use my car for food rescue volunteer work?

How often do I need to volunteer in Iowa City?

What time of day are volunteer opportunities available?

Do you need volunteers on the weekend in Iowa City?

How long are the volunteer shifts at Table to Table?

Become a Food Rescue Superhero like these amazing volunteers!

Remembering Our Friend and Fellow Food Rescuer Kenn Bowen

Meet Mary Palmberg, the ultimate food rescue ambassador

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