Get hands-on in a Foodbank Victoria warehouse, helping stock School Breakfast Club programs across Melbourne.
Part of thrive*'s new excursion series, bite-sized adventures for VU students to try something different and meet people along the way.
After a welcome, induction, and health and safety briefing, you'll join a team of 2–3 to pick and pack orders headed out to schools. Expect pallet jacks, moving around the floor, and a proper physical day, with plenty of chances to sit, eat, and chat as a group too.
Arrive: Please arrive by 8.15am for sign-in, we'll get started at 8.30am sharp.
Groups: Teams of 2 or 3. Coming on your own? That's completely fine, many people will be. You'll be placed in a team on the day, so come ready to meet some new people. Let us know if there's someone specific you'd like to be teamed up with.
Lunch: Bring your own lunch – VU will supply snacks.
What to bring:
- Water bottle
- Lunch
- Proper socks (you will wear steel toe boots)
Vollies credit: Current Vollies can be credited 6 hours for participation.
Physical work
Due to the physical nature of warehouse volunteering, tasks involve significant amounts of manual handling, including lifting/bending, twisting/turning, repetitive movements and standing for extended periods of time.
Please consider if this activity is right for you.
What to wear
For your safety they provide steel capped boots and gloves which are mandatory to wear. Please bring long, thick socks to wear with the boots. Alternatively, if you have your own steel capped boots you can BYO.
Wear clothing that is suitable for bending, lifting and repetitive movements. Shorts/pants/leggings/jeans with a comfortable t-shirt and jumper is recommended. The temperature inside the warehouse is generally the same as outside. They do not have air-conditioning or heating in the warehouse.
Accessibility details
This is a physical, hands-on role involving lifting, bending, twisting, repetitive movement, and extended periods on your feet, using pallet jacks and moving around the warehouse floor. The warehouse isn't heated or air-conditioned, so it's the same temperature as outside.
Steel-capped boots and gloves are provided and mandatory. Bring long, thick socks to wear with them (or bring your own steel-caps).
Alternate tasks can sometimes be arranged for specific accessibility needs, although options can be limited so please let us know in advance rather than on the day. Do you need any support to participate in this event? Please indicate if you have any accessibility needs when you register.
Getting there
Address:
Foodbank Victoria Warehouse
77 Millers Rd Brooklyn
Enter via Gate 5 off Millers Road, then through the Volunteers entrance at Door 2. Limited parking is available at the rear; buses 411, 412 and 903 stop nearby on Millers Road.