Packing Food Boxes for Seniors
Focus: HOPE provides food to over 42,000 limited-income seniors in and around Detroit. Each month, every one of those seniors receives a box of food which contains healthy groupings of nonperishable foods. We rely on volunteers to pack the vast majority of this food, so both individuals and volunteer groups are always welcome!
HOW PACKING WORKS:
Volunteers work together in groups of up to 30-40 per assembly line, cutting stock and then placing canned foods into Focus: HOPE boxes as they roll by. Volunteers may also unwrap and unbox pallets of food, collapse boxes for recycling and dispose of plastic waste. These tasks require moderate levels of activity, bending and lifting.
A full line of volunteers is usually able to pack 500-1000 boxes of food for our seniors!
DRESS CODE:
Comfortable attire and shoes are welcome. The warehouse temperature may fluctuate with the seasons, so layers are encouraged. Volunteers are prohibited from wearing open-toed shoes, sleeveless shirts, short shorts or exposing midriff. Please keep valuables at home, in your car or on your person.
We recommend you bring work gloves.
SAFETY:
For everyone’s safety, if you are not feeling well or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home.
Focus: HOPE strongly encourages all volunteers, guests and colleagues to wear a mask while in the building, regardless of vaccination status.
Handwashing and sanitizer stations are available throughout the building.
HOW TO REGISTER:
If you have already completed a digital waiver this calendar year, scroll to the bottom of the page to register for an open time slot. Otherwise, click “Respond” at the top or bottom of the page, log in, complete the waiver qualification, and then return to this page to see the available volunteer shifts.
Minors may not complete waivers digitally, so the system will not allow a minor to sign up to volunteer. Minors may not volunteer without a guardian present. Once on-site for the selected volunteer event, guardians may register their minors by signing a printed waiver on their behalf. For packing you must be age 13 or older to participate.
To register a large team or organization, please contact volunteer@focushope.edu for options.
COURT MANDATED HOURS:
If you have court mandated community service hours, you must attend a separate, court-specific orientation. This orientation only takes place on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at 1400 Oakman Boulevard, 48238. After the brief orientation, you may choose to stay and begin volunteering, or return another day.
Bring a photo ID and know the name of your court and/or officer. If you have an official document which states your hours, bring it with you.
If you do not attend a Friday orientation prior to volunteering, your hours will not be recorded for the court. No exceptions will be made.
You do not need to register to participate. More information at: https://focushope.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=601721
LOCATION:
Focus: HOPE has permanently relocated all volunteer activities to 1400 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit MI 48238. Parking is directly across the street within the gated black fence. The lot entrance is on La Salle Boulevard by where it intersects with Oakman Boulevard. Please do not park in the Early Learning Center lot or between buildings.
CONTACT:
Volunteer & Community Outreach
Focus: HOPE
313-494-4270
