How to Volunteer with Community Loaves

Step-by-Step

1. Attended an Information Session.
2. Create your volunteer profile and connect with your local baking community.
3. Order supplies through our Flour Fundraiser shop.
4. Access our signature formulas and bake your bread or energy cookies.
5. Package up your baked items and drop them with your hub leader for donation!

Here is a list of the Food Banks We Support.

Volunteer Safety Best Practices & Program Requirements

Guidelines For Safe Food Handling & Packaging

Our donation project is successful thanks to the personal commitment each of our bakers makes to adhering to the following food safety practices:

• Store your ingredients in a clean, dry, and cool environment. 
• Store energy cookie base in the refrigerator until you use it, as it contains almond meal.
• Wash your hands and keep your work surface clean.
• Pull long hair back or even better, regardless of hair length, wear a cap, like a ball cap to prevent unwanted hair from falling into your baked goods.
• Make sure loaves and cookies are thoroughly baked, nice brown coloring all the way around. Bread loaves will sound hollow when you gently thump on the bottom. 
• Thoroughly cool, to room temperature loaves and/or cookies before packaging. This prevents unwanted condensation from building up inside the packaging. 
• Packaging
  • When items are completely cooled, use kitchen tongs or a gloved hand to place in the bag. (Avoid placing a warm loaf in the bag, which creates condensation, leading to mold and spoilage.)
  • For the bread loaves, squeeze out as much air from the bag as possible, then twist tie tightly closed.
  • For the cookies, fold the top of the wax bakery bag over and affix a sticker over the flap to seal. Watch our packaging video in baker resources if you have questions.
  • Place items in your freezer or a freezer bank until donation. Or, if donating within 24 hours, place them in a brown paper bag, mark the bag with your name, and take them directly to your designated hub by the drop-off time.
• Home kitchen inspection is not required.
  • Baked goods that do not require refrigeration are considered safe to be donated from home kitchens.

Age Requirements

Our requirements regarding volunteering are governed by common sense and insurance standards. The following should provide you the information you need, but please reach out if you have further questions:

1. Baker – anyone accepting and following our baking best practices can bake and donate. Younger bakers, middle and high school age can earn volunteer service hours for their time. It is expected that all young bakers will follow the safety practices and follow the recipes precisely.
2. Flour Packer – no age limit. However, precision in breaking down 50 lb bags into 5 lb portions is a must. Flour is our thing, so neatness and attention to detail matter.
3. Stage and Load the Truck – ability to lift, without struggle, 40 lbs.
4. Drive The Truck – Twenty-five years of age or older with a valid driver’s license and insurance.