Volunteer with WasteLess
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with WasteLess Solutions! We’re thrilled that you want to help us reduce food waste and fight hunger in our Utah communities. Below is a list of the many WasteLess programs you can participate in. On the following form, please provide a few details about your interests, skills, and availability so we can match you with the best opportunities - please plan to select all of the programs interest you!
- Food Rescue - Use your own vehicle to rescue edible food from donors and deliver it directly to nonprofit partners. Rescues typically take 30–60 minutes and are scheduled flexibly using our food rescue app.
- Become a Food Donor - For organizations that regularly have 50+ pounds of surplus food. Join us in fighting food waste by donating your excess food.
- Prepared Meals - Neighborhood Nourishment Program - Help cook or package meals in our kitchen for at-risk communities.
- Mobile Market - Neighborhood Nourishment Program - Help set up and distribute rescued food to community members during mobile market events.
- New Partner Outreach - Help us connect with local food businesses and spread the word about WasteLess Solutions.
- I have excess fruit or vegetables (Gleaning) - Register your fruit tree or garden for volunteers to harvest excess produce for donation.
- I want to help with local and community garden picking and pickups (Gleaning) - Volunteer to help harvest produce and transport gleaned items.
- Other / I have other resources or skills I’d like to contribute - Please indicate your desire to engage in the ‘Anything else’ field below - we are always looking for skilled photographers, networkers, creators, business owners, etc. who are willing to donate their services in support of our mission.
- Sign up for the WasteLess newsletter
Volunteer Code of Conduct
Thank you for volunteering with WasteLess Solutions! We are so grateful for your time and support toward our mission to reduce food waste and fight hunger in Utah. WasteLess couldn't do what we do without you! Our volunteers are the lifeblood of this operation and have helped us rescue over 3 million pounds of food since 2018.
When you're out on rescues, in the kitchen, or at programs and events, you're seen as part of WasteLess Solutions. To make sure we're all showing up in a way that's respectful, safe, and aligned with our values, we ask every volunteer to review and follow this Code of Conduct. Violation of this code of conduct will result in a verbal warning and/or possible removal from our volunteer pool.
Service-Leadership: Why We're Here
We show up to serve our partner organizations, the communities we work with, and the people we're fortunate to support through rescued food. Some volunteer activities involve working with vulnerable populations. Be mindful of personal boundaries and confidentiality and be sure to remember that this is a service-leadership role, not a rescue mission. Our partners are experts in their own communities, and we're here to support their work with humility and respect. Volunteering alongside us means:
- Listening more than you direct
- Following the lead of the organizations and staff we partner with
- Recognizing that everyone we serve brings their own strength and dignity: we're not here to "save" anyone, but to work together toward a shared goal
Leading with Kindness, Respect & Community Building
We're all here because we care deeply about this mission, and strong feelings are welcome. But how we express them matters. While volunteering, we ask everyone to:
- Use respectful, professional language at all times. Strong language, excessive profanity, raised voices, or aggressive tones have no place in front of our clients, partners, or fellow volunteers.
- Respect and appreciate the WasteLess team - our Coordinators work extremely hard to keep food rescues running 7 days a week and to keep partner relationships healthy. They deserve kindness and respect as they work hard, even if things don’t go perfectly to plan on a rescue or during a program.
- Share opinions with care. Passionate discussions are fine, but pushing strong personal views on others, especially in ways that feel dismissive or confrontational, undermines the welcoming environment we're building.
- Be a teammate. If you disagree with another volunteer or a partner, address it calmly and privately with a staff member, if needed. Rudeness, condescension, or talking over others won't be tolerated.
- Lead with warmth. A simple "how can I help?" goes a long way. We build community by treating everyone: clients, partners, and fellow volunteers, as equals and neighbors.
Safety & Professionalism
Remember that you represent WasteLess Solutions while volunteering. Act in a way that reflects positively on our mission and community by following these guidelines:
- Follow instructions from WasteLess Solutions staff or site partners at all times.
- Follow all food safety and hygiene standards (handwashing, glove use, hair restraints, and safe food handling as instructed by staff).
- Report any concerns or unsafe situations immediately to a staff member.
- Unless explicitly agreed upon beforehand, volunteers may not promote, market, or solicit products, services, religious beliefs, or political opinions while volunteering. Focus on service and connection — not sales or persuasion.
- Do not ask intrusive questions or take photos/videos of program participants. Photos are welcome when appropriate, but always check with WasteLess staff before taking pictures of community members, other volunteers, or staff.
- Use respectful, inclusive language at all times.
By volunteering with WasteLess Solutions, you agree to uphold this Code of Conduct. We reserve the right to end volunteer participation if these guidelines are not followed. Thank you for helping us build a more sustainable and compassionate Utah!
THANK YOU for all that you do to support WasteLess’ mission
