Current volunteer FAQ

Where can I find more information about my route?

Route Guides are available for volunteers picking up from meal donors and delivering to one of our nonprofit partners. These guides provide key information for the route like the time of the pick-up, donation type, address, how to find the kitchen/pickup location, key contacts, parking suggestions, and step-by-step app use instructions. You can review them before signing up for a route or after sign-up by using the 'view/cancel my shifts' option on the shift management webpage.

Since Home Delivery routes in Princeton and surrounding areas sometimes change, they do not have formal route guides. However, our Operations Associate at our Hub (Dorothea's House in Princeton) will provide volunteers with detailed delivery information ahead of their shift (via email, text, or in-person), including additional directions, photos for locating recipient addresses, and other helpful resources.

When will I be able to see my volunteer shift in the Field Service app?

Your shift and related service appointments will appear in the Field Service app at least two hours prior to the scheduled donation pickup time. Often, it will not appear until two hours before because our meal donors are still determining if they will have a donation that day. If no service appointments are visible two hours prior, first try refreshing the app by pulling down on the screen. Then, check that you're viewing the correct date in the Salesforce Field Service app by tapping the calendar icon in the upper right corner of the homepage screen or navigating to the Schedule view in the bottom left of the screen, and confirming the selected date matches your assignment. If you still don't see an appointment, it is likely that no donation is scheduled for that day and our Operations Team will reach out to alert you to the cancellation. To confirm, please contact the Operations Team at 970-470-8369.

What if I need to cancel a shift?

To cancel a shift more than 24 hours in advance, click the shift management webpage link here: Shift Management Webpage. After entering your email address, select 'View/Cancel Shifts' and check the box next to the shift you wish to cancel. Next, click 'Cancel Selected Shift'. The following screen will confirm the cancellation.

To cancel a shift less than 24 hours in advance, please contact our Operations Team as soon as possible at 970-470-8369 so we can ensure the food is still recovered.

What should I do if I’m running late for a meal pickup or delivery?

Please contact the Operations Team at 970-470-8369 as soon as possible so we can notify the donor or recipient.

What should I do if the meal recipient is not available (not home or not at the organization)?

Food should not be left unattended for any reason and must be delivered directly to an individual. First try contacting the recipient directly by calling the recipient phone number provided in the Field Service app’s delivery ‘To Do List’ or route guide site contact information. If you still cannot reach them, contact the Operations Team at 970-470-8369 for next steps.

What should I do if I have more food than fits in my car?

Contact the Operations Team at 970-470-8369. We will help coordinate a solution.

What should I do if the donation isn’t ready or the location is closed?

Contact the Operations Team at 970-470-8369 for guidance before leaving.

What should I do if there is no donation when I arrive at the pickup location?

Call the Operations Team at 970-470-8369 to confirm whether there is a donation scheduled for that day. If the donation is confirmed to have been cancelled, make sure you mark it as “Failed with pickup” in the Field Service app.

What should I do if a food item is warm/hot?

If a container feels hot or warm, immediately contact the Share My Meals Operations Team for instructions, as Share My Meals does not accept hot food under most circumstances. If you are instructed to transport it, place it in a separate bag from cold items.

What should I do if food looks spoiled?

If you notice any signs that food may be spoiled, please contact our Operations Team right away for guidance on how to handle the item. Indicators of spoilage can include a sour or unusual smell, visible mold, discoloration, slimy texture, leaking packaging, or if the food is past its expiration date. When in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution.

What should I do if a Share My Meals container is missing a barcode or is cracked or broken?

If a container is broken or damaged, please take a picture of the container, including the barcode, and send it to the Operations Team or text them the barcode number and a description of the issue. We will follow up with instructions on how to discard it.

If you see a container that is missing a barcode, please contact the Operations Team at 970-470-8369.

What should I do if empty Share My Meals containers are returned dirty?

Containers returned to the Share My Meals Hub or to corporate and professional kitchens will be cleaned and sanitized before their next use. If containers are returned with visible food residue, please do not attempt to wash them yourself. Volunteers should contact the Operations Team at 970-470-8369 to let us know, especially if the containers are heavily soiled.

If you are comfortable doing so, you may ask the recipient to keep the used containers and return them washed when they receive their next donation.

What should I do if I'm unable to log into the Field Service app?

First, make sure you are using the same login information you created for your Volunteer Portal account. Your username is your email address, and your password is the one you set during registration. If needed, we can send you a link to reset your password upon request.

Also confirm that the Share My Meals logo appears on the page where you are trying to log in. If the logo does not appear, follow the instructions below to reset the Share My Meals app connection.

If you continue to have trouble accessing the Field Service app, please contact the Share My Meals Operations Team to confirm that your access is active or to request a password reset link.

For volunteers using a group login (corporate volunteers and partner organization volunteers), please reach out to our Operations Team (970-470-8369) for assistance.

If a step in a Service Appointment's To-Do List does not apply, what should I do?

For example, you may not need to access directions through the Field Service app, contact the site contact, or scan empty containers during a meal donation pickup.

In this case, tap the three dots next to the step and select "Not applicable".

How should I report an incident while volunteering?

Incidents involving harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior, concerning interactions at a donor or recipient site or with an individual recipient, and receiving a parking ticket or citation during a pickup or delivery should be reported to the Operations Team immediately at 970-470-8369 so we can assist and document the situation.

How can I stay connected to Share My Meals aside from volunteering?

There are several great ways to stay connected with Share My Meals beyond your volunteer shifts. You can keep up with updates and impact stories by reading our volunteer newsletter, stay informed about important news and opportunities through app announcements, and deepen your involvement by attending volunteer events throughout the year.