Help Deliver More Than a Meal
Volunteers are the heart of Bloomington Meals on Wheels. By sharing a little time, you help deliver meals, groceries, and meaningful connections to neighbors who may be homebound due to age, disability, illness, or transportation barriers.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and experience levels. Whether you’re new to volunteering or have been serving your community for years, there is a place for you here.
We aim to make volunteering accessible and meaningful. If you have questions, we’re happy to work with you.
Why Volunteering Matters
Volunteers do more than deliver food—they help reduce isolation, support independence, and strengthen community connections.
For many clients, your visit may be one of the few points of connection in their day. That brief interaction can provide reassurance, consistency, and a sense of belonging.
By volunteering, you help ensure that neighbors have the food they need and the support that helps them remain safely in their homes.
What to Expect
Most roles take 1-2 hours and happen in the late morning or midday. Depending on the role, you might deliver meals, drop off groceries, or work with a small team to prepare orders.
You can volunteer regularly or occasionally, depending on your schedule. Whether you have time once a month or once a week, your contribution makes a difference.
Volunteer Roles
Meal Delivery Volunteer
Our greatest need is meal delivery volunteers. This role provides not only meals but also a brief, friendly check-in that helps clients stay connected to their community.
What You’ll Do
- Pick up meals at our distribution site
- Deliver meals along a pre-planned route
- Offer a brief greeting and check-in
- Report any concerns to staff
Schedule
- Routes take 60–90 minutes, typically between 11 AM–1 PM
- Serve monthly, weekly, or as a substitute
What You’ll Need
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
- Ability to carry meal bags (about 10 pounds), or work with a partner
- Compassion, reliability, and a friendly attitude
Support We Provide
- Orientation and route training
- Easy-to-follow route instructions
- Staff support during your route
Groceries to Go Distribution Volunteer
Help prepare grocery orders for our Groceries to Go mobile food pantry.
This is a team-based role at our distribution site.
What You’ll Do
- Pack grocery bags based on individual order lists
- Stock shelves, refrigerators, and freezers
- Organize food and supplies
- Work as part of a small team
When
- Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sign up for a monthly shift.
What You’ll Need
- Ability to lift about 10 pounds, or share tasks within a team
- Comfort working with another person
Support We Provide
- On-site training
- Staff support throughout your shift
Groceries to Go Delivery Volunteer
Help deliver groceries to community members who may have difficulty accessing food due to transportation, health, or other barriers.
What You’ll Do
- Pick up pre-packed orders
- Deliver groceries along a pre-planned route
- Follow delivery instructions (usually drop-off)
- Report any issues to staff
Schedule
- Thursdays between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM
- Routes take about 90 minutes and include up to 12 stops
- Serve regularly or as a substitute
What You’ll Need
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
- Ability to carry grocery bags (about 10 pounds), or work with a partner
- Reliability and attention to detail
Support We Provide
- Route guidance and delivery instructions
- On-site support at pickup
- Staff assistance if needed
Group Volunteering: Adopt a Route
Businesses, faith groups, and community organizations can volunteer together through our Adopt-a-Route program.
Groups commit to delivering meals on a specific day each month and rotate volunteers within their organization.
Benefits of Group Volunteering
- Team building with purpose
- Consistent support for clients who enjoy familiar faces
- Flexible scheduling within your group
If your organization is interested in adopting a route, we would love to connect with you.
Flexible & Supportive
Volunteers have different schedules, abilities, and experiences. We work to create opportunities that are:
- Flexible – choose the frequency that works for you
- Welcoming – no prior experience is necessary
- Meaningful – every role directly supports neighbors
If you have questions about transportation, scheduling, or accessibility, we’re happy to talk through options.
Ready to Get Started?
Start by completing our volunteer application.
After applying, our team will follow up with next steps, including orientation and training.
Already a Volunteer?
Looking for training materials, forms, or program updates?
Visit the Volunteer Resource Hub for:
- Orientation and training materials
- Volunteer agreements and forms
- Program-specific resources
Volunteer Resource Hub
(Some materials are available only to active volunteers.)
Questions?
Have questions or need help finding the right role? We’re here to help.
karen@bloomingtonmealsonwheels.org
812-822-2499
Sign up to volunteer:
Online
Print and return the three forms above
Bloomington Meals on Wheels could not exist without our dedicated volunteers and generous donors. Both help keep the cost of our program affordable for our clients.
If you can volunteer over the noon hour once a month to deliver meals, please let us know. Download the volunteer application, agreement form and confidentiality form on the top of this page. Email to Volunteers@bloomingtonmealsonwheels.org or mail it to 2620 N. Walnut St., Suite 925, Bloomington, IN 47404.
Volunteers use their own vehicles to deliver meals and usually work in pairs. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and state mandated liability insurance on the vehicle they will use to deliver the meals. Each route takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.
Need more info on becoming a volunteer? Email us Volunteers@bloomingtonmealsonwheels.org or call us at 812-822-2499.
