The Storehouse is always looking for, and appreciates, volunteers. Below are some frequently asked questions about volunteering. This information is current as of fall 2025.
When can people volunteer?
The Storehouse welcomes volunteers Tuesday through Saturday from 8AM until 2:30PM. The first step is to email us at info@StorehouseNM.org to get started and let us know when you’d like to come.
We need the most help on the days the pantry is open to hand out free groceries: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Our primary shift is from 8:30AM – 12:30PM, and our second shift runs from 10:30AM – 2:30PM. (We give out free groceries from 9 am to 12:00 pm)
If these four-hour shifts don’t work for you, we will be happy to work with your schedule. Just let us know what times work best for you.
Who is eligible to volunteer? How many people can come in a group?
The Storehouse appreciates individual volunteers and groups. We currently can allow groups of up to 20 people. Children aged 12 and above can volunteer. We understand that parents and teachers are trying to instill the value of community service. However because we are a warehouse environment with fork lifts and other equipment, for safety we don’t allow younger children to come. Teens and people under 16 must come with a parent, teacher, or other responsible adult such as a coach. Those 16 and older can come independently. Everyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent to get started.
What tasks do volunteers do?
The Storehouse has a small team of staff members, so volunteers do a wide variety of tasks at the food pantry. These are a few examples. First, volunteers help us sort and bag donated food. This can include sorting canned food that comes in from food drives into our warehouse containers, for instance. It might also be sorting and bagging donated fresh fruits or vegetables into family size packages. Second, volunteers pre-pack boxes of shelf stable items for deliveries or the days we give out groceries to the public. That is an assembly line set up that is great for groups. It’s also very helpful to have those boxes prepped for distribution days.
Third, on the days the pantry is open for giving out food, we need people to push and fill grocery carts with that day’s offerings. It takes a good size team of people to put a variety of foods in the grocery carts and help families get them to their cars or loaded on their bikes. Once emptied, volunteers push the carts back into the Storehouse where they are filled again and again. Fourth, we need volunteers to and clean and organize the warehouse. Finally, we need experienced volunteers to help with administrative tasks. That can mean making phone calls to people requesting deliveries, for example. Or, it might be helping enter client information into our computer systems.
Where do I park and sign in?
When you come to the Storehouse, you can park in our lot if there is any available parking. There is also street parking nearby on Gold and Arno. Do not park in our neighbor’s parking lot, at the former Standard Diner or you may be towed.
Once parked, please come to the back door in the east alleyway and ring the bell south of the large roll-up door to get inside. There, we will get you signed in, give you a brief tour, and get you started.
What should I wear to volunteer?
All volunteers are asked to wear close-toe shoes and comfortable clothes. It is a warehouse environment and you will be on your feet and moving most of your time at the Storehouse. During colder weather, be sure to dress in layers. Because trucks come and go with donations and we have the doors opened to welcome people and have carts exit it can be chilly inside. However, since it is physical work, many people are quick to warm up.
Get Started & Ask Other Questions:
If you or your organization want to volunteer with the Storehouse, call us at (505) 842-6491 or email Info@StorehouseNM.org to get started. We will answer your questions and can schedule dates and times to volunteer. Thank you for being willing to help us feed local families in need. Volunteers make our work possible.