Become A Volunteer

About Volunteering

Join us on our Mission

BEAM helps make a difference in the lives of those in need in our community. We would not be able to provide these families with hope and help if it was not for our amazing volunteers.  We rely on more than 200 outstanding volunteers who commit to volunteering every week in support of our daily operations. These weekly volunteers support our food pantries, food bank, thrift stores, senior program, front desk and financial assistance areas. 

Additionally, BEAM is fortunate to have hundreds more volunteers who help with special projects such as outreach events, fundraisers, food drives, and more. 

Volunteer with BEAM and connect with others who are working to make a difference in our local community!

What to Expect

  • An application to be a BEAM volunteer is found here (LINK) or by clicking the button above. Our volunteer coordinator will reach out to you after receiving your application to further discuss your interest, availability and to identify an open volunteer shift. Some volunteer positions require a background check.
  • Age requirements:
    • For most volunteer positions, volunteers must be 16 years old.  
    • Some volunteer roles require that volunteers are 18 years or older*. 
    • Student volunteer opportunities are limited to full-time students between the ages of 15-21 years old. Student opportunities can be accessed directly through this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EADA628A0F9C07-beam1
  • Many volunteer opportunities require a weekly commitment to a shift that lasts 2 – 4 hours long.
  • Volunteers who wish to volunteer for an event, on a one-time basis, or on short notice should specify "SPECIAL PROJECTS" on the volunteer application.
  • Small groups are welcome. Contact sarah@jaxbeam.org for more information on available group volunteer opportunities.
  • BEAM has LIMITED availability of court-ordered community service hours and cannot guarantee a specific number of hours. Contact sarah@jaxbeam.org for more information. 

Ways to Volunteer 

BEAM Food Bank
318 7th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Food Sorter: Volunteers help maintain quality standards for the food that is distributed to the community through our warehouse. As a volunteer in our Food Bank, you will sort and inspect donated food (frozen, fresh, canned, boxed items) or help pack meal kits that will be distributed at mobile food pantry events. Volunteers should be able to bend, lift up to 15 lbs. and stand for up to 4 hours.


Food Donations Pickup: Volunteers work in teams and travel in the BEAM delivery truck to pick up food donations at BEAM partner retail grocery stores (Publix, Winn Dixie). Volunteers must be able to bend, lift up to 30 lbs., and get in and out of the BEAM delivery truck. 

BEAM Food Pantry
Jax Beach Location: 850 6th Avenue South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

 

Mayport Location: 1447 Mayport Road, Suite 6C, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

BEAM Food Pantry volunteers work with clients in our food pantry, assisting the client as they make food selections in a mini-supermarket setting. Volunteers may also be called upon to restock shelves in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer to ensure that the food pantry is prepared to serve clients. Volunteers should be able to bend, lift up to 15 lbs. and stand for up to 4 hours.

BEAM Financial Assistance
850 6th Avenue South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

* Volunteers must be 18 or older

Financial Assistance Interviewer: BEAM volunteers work with clients one-on-one either in person or on the phone. Volunteers discuss client’s need for financial assistance (rent, utilities, other). Volunteers will verify client information and evidence in support of assistance request and enter client information into BEAM’s database. Volunteers should have moderate computer skills, be willing to meet with clients and sit at a desk for up to 4 hours. 

 

Food Stamp Interviewer: BEAM volunteers work with clients one-on-one either in person or on the phone. Volunteers assist clients to register for or re-certify SNAP (food stamp) benefits on the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) web portal. Volunteers should have moderate computer skills, be willing to meet with clients and sit at a desk for up to 4 hours.

BEAM Thrift
7 North Thrift - 318 7th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
 
Shetter Thrift - 1110 Shetter Avenue, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250


BEAM relies on income generated through our thrift stores to support all of our assistance programs. BEAM thrift volunteers provide friendly service to BEAM’s customers, run the cash register, and receive restock and tag donated items in the store as needed. Volunteers should have interest or experience working in a retail setting, be able to lift up to 10 lbs., and stand for up to 4 hours.

BEAM Seniors Case Management Program

Telephone Reassurance Callers (Volunteer from home): Volunteers provide support through weekly telephone calls to seniors. Volunteers work remotely and schedule calls based upon your availability. Volunteers should love working with seniors and have a compassion heart.

Food Pantry Delivery Drivers (Volunteers travel in beaches area): Volunteers deliver groceries (using your own vehicle) to 2-3 seniors per week in the BEAM (beaches) service area. Volunteers will pick up pre-packed groceries at one of BEAM’s two food pantries (Jacksonville Beach or Mayport), and deliver grocery orders to local seniors. Volunteers should be willing to use your vehicle to deliver groceries, be able to lift up to 15 lbs. and have compassion for seniors.

 

Handyman/Yardwork (Volunteers travel in beaches area): Volunteers provide minor home repairs and basic yardwork to seniors as needed. Volunteers may be called upon to first assess home repair and/or yardwork projects to determine if BEAM can provide support or recommend referral to an alternate agency for assistance. Volunteers may then be asked to complete minor home repairs if possible. Volunteers should be willing to use your vehicle to travel to senior’s homes, able to lift up to 15 lbs. and have compassion for seniors. 

BEAM’s Grace Garden
850 6th Avenue South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250


BEAM’s Grace Garden produces thousands of pounds of fruits, vegetables and herbs that are distributed to BEAM clients through our Food Pantries. Volunteers plant, harvest, weed and provide general upkeep of the garden. Volunteers should be willing to work outside tending the garden as needed.

BEAM Special Projects

BEAM special project volunteers help with special events, projects that occur on a one-time basis, or projects that develop on short notice. Examples of special projects include Back to School with BEAM (late summer), the National Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger food drive (late spring), and BEAM’s Beach Ball fundraiser (late August) and BEAM’s end of year mailer.

Some of the partners and donors who help us make a difference. Thank you for your support!