Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard (UMACC). Volunteers are the heart of our mission, and we could not serve our neighbors without your time, energy, and compassion.
UMACC is a Full-Choice Pantry & Resource Center, set up much like a supermarket. Families receive a shopping cart and shop just as they would at the market, selecting the food and resources that best meet their needs. Visit our About UMACC page to see a live video of the inside operation of the pantry and resource center.
Welcome to the UMACC Volunteer Platform!
Individual Volunteers
The Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard (UMACC) relies on the dedication of caring and compassionate community volunteers. We welcome neighbors of all ages, backgrounds, and faith traditions to join us in serving our community.’
How to Get Started
Please take a few minutes to read each volunteer description carefully so you can find the role that works best for you. Some positions require heavy lifting, traveling, or specific training.
New Volunteers: Please sign up using the volunteer sign-up platform and fill out your information. You’ll then see the open availability.
Returning Volunteers: Please continue signing up according to your availability. Your ongoing commitment makes it possible for us to serve our community each week.
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer a variety of ways to serve: Volunteer opportunities are available on Mondays - Thursdays.
Stocking & Sorting (Mon–Thu): Organize pantry shelves and prepare supplies. Tasks include stocking produce, bagging bread, stocking personal-care items, and more.
Tuesdays Patron Shopping (Day & Evening): On Tuesdays, we are open for our patrons to shop.
If this is your first time volunteering on a Tuesday, please select the “New Volunteer” spot when signing up for your first three Tuesday visits. This allows us to provide on-the-job training and ensure you feel fully supported by our volunteer team. After those initial visits, you’ll be ready to sign up for regular slots. We apologize if the “New Volunteer” spots are full, please take a moment to check for other Tuesday “New Volunteer” openings or consider volunteering on Monday or Thursday.
Retail Rescue (Mon–Thu Mornings): Assist drivers with unloading, weighing, and sorting rescued food donations. This role requires traveling, training, and heavy lifting, and is an assigned role.
Retail Rescue and Food Pickups are by assignment only. These opportunities require the ability to lift 50lbs or more, willingness to travel, and training.
If you’re interested in joining our Retail Rescue team, please contact us at UMACC.Coordinator@outlook.com. We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help us keep this vital operation running strong!
Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older and no longer in high school to serve on Tuesdays.
All volunteers must complete the Civil Rights training (15 minute video) and required paperwork.
The liability waiver form must be filled out fully (both sides).
Volunteer Documentation Requirement
Volunteers who require written documentation of service hours (for school, employment, or other purposes) must contact the UMACC Manager prior to registering for a shift. This ensures that program requirements can be reviewed, and appropriate documentation can be provided.
Mondays
Monday volunteers help with receiving donations, restocking shelves, date checking donations, and preparing the pantry for food distribution the following day.
***If you are under the age of 18, please use the Minor Monday spot to sign up.
*** Some heavy lifting may be required.
Tuesdays
On Tuesdays, we are open for our patrons to shop. We rely on volunteers to assist with check-ins, guide and support patrons while shopping, restock shelves, serve as hosts to greet and visit with patrons.
Because you are working with the public, Civil Rights training and all required paperwork must be completed before volunteering.
*** If you are new to UMACC, please sign up under the "New Volunteer Spot" only for your first three visits.
Thursdays
On Thursdays, volunteers pack home delivery bags, unload and put away incoming food deliveries from the local food bank and restock shelves as needed.
Youth Volunteers
Minors ages 13 and older are welcome to volunteer at UMACC during designated times. Summer volunteer hours for minors are Mondays from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, with tasks including stocking shelves, bagging pantry items, and assisting with recycling.
Please note:
Only minors age 13 and above may volunteer.All youth volunteers must be signed up through our official volunteer platform.Required paperwork must be completed at arrival by the parent or guardian.
Garden Watering (Summertime)
Each day we need someone to water the two UMACC garden plots it the UM Community Garden. This can be done at any time of the day (but watering is best done sometime in the morning). – Note: UMACC’s two garden plots are in the middle of the rows and both have the UMACC signs on them. There is a hose that can be pulled across to water the garden. Gardens do NOT need to be watered if there was any significant rain the day before.
Corporate Volunteers
We host corporate volunteering events on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, for 1.5-hour sessions. While there is no fee to participate, for groups larger than 12, we kindly ask that you support the UMACC by either hosting a drive or participating in one of our programs, purchasing and bringing items on the day of your event to assemble.
If your company is interesting in volunteering as a group, please contact Angela at UMACC.Coordinator@outlook.com.
