42 East Street, Crystal Lake IL 60014 | 815-455-0961

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If you need to cancel your volunteer shift, please try to do so 24-48 hours in advance. We understand emergencies happen, but if you need to cancel last minute, please notify our front desk or our volunteer coordinator as soon as possible so we can try to find a replacement.

The Food Pantry aims to create a fun, yet safe environment for all of our volunteers. The building is air-conditioned, and we suggest appropriate, casual attire and shoes. Do not bring valuable items. Volunteers are not able to use any equipment without proper training. 

Safety Guidelines

In the case of inclement weather,  we close the food pantry when District 47 or 155 indicates that they will be closed using the emergency school closing list available online. 

Dress Code

PLEASE WEAR CLOSED-TOED SHOES
Our warehouses are not temperature-controlled. Please be sure to dress comfortably and appropriately for the current weather conditions. Please bring a sweater in the event that you work in the cooler. Some work may be outside for short periods of time, so appropriate outerwear should be worn. Individuals who do not adhere to this policy will not be allowed to complete service hours that day. Continued failure to adhere to this policy will result in dismissal from the work site.

Food Pantry Rules

  • ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings
  • Avoid areas where equipment is being used by staff.
  • No sandals, flip-flops, heels, slippers, or open-toed shoes.
  • To ensure your own safety as well as the safety of others please DO NOT:
    • Attempt to operate any machinery you have not been trained to use
    • Perform a task you have not been trained on by staff
    • Lean into an empty tote (large box)
    • Step on wooden pallets
  • There is absolutely NO SMOKING in the building at any time. You may only smoke in the outside designated smoking area during your designated break or lunch.
  • Absolutely no food and/or other products are to be taken from the Food Pantry for your personal consumption or use. If you are in need of food assistance, we will gladly direct you to a pantry in your area. Water and coffee are available for you during your break/ lunch. These items can be found in the break room.
  • Absolutely no personal food and/or beverages are allowed in the grocery area. These items can only be consumed in designated areas during your designated break/lunch.
  • You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself after lunches and breaks.  You are also responsible for performing any clean-up duties as they pertain to specific tasks that you are asked to complete.
  • No iPods, MP3 players, or any other devices using headphones are permitted to be used during the workday.
  • Any illegal acts are subject to being reported to the appropriate authorities. Theft will not be tolerated. If you are suspected of taking any products from the warehouse, office area, or food pantry vehicles, you will be asked to leave the premises and not be permitted to return to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.
  • Due to a lack of storage space, we suggest keeping all personal items (wallets, cell phones, etc.) either with you or at home/in your personal vehicle.  A locker is available for you to store your personal items; however, the Crystal Lake Food Pantry is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
  • Participation in any type of offensive or harassing behavior will prohibit you from volunteering at our site.  Crystal Lake Food Pantry is committed to providing an environment that is free from harassment based upon a person’s status (ie: gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, disability, and additional categories protected under law.) Offensive and harassing behavior will not be tolerated.

Volunteer Consent Form

If you wish to volunteer, please bring the Volunteer Consent form with you when you arrive for your first shift. We do have them at the Pantry as well. 

“IMPORTANT NOTE: All volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Consent Form (“Agreement”) as a condition of volunteering (link below). Please print the Volunteer Consent Form, fill it out completely, and bring it with you on the day you are volunteering to give to the team leader. As well as being available via the links above, Team Leaders will have forms available to sign, as well as a copy of the Volunteer Handbook of which the Volunteer Consent Form is a part. The Volunteer Consent Form need only be signed once, so please advise the team leader if your signed Agreement is already on file.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry! 

Volunteer Consent Form