Volunteer

Food belongs in people, not in landfills.

Join us one hour a week!

  • White Fight Hunger Icon – Last Mile Food Rescue

    Help fight hunger and food waste

  • White Schedule Icon – Last Mile Food Rescue

    Give time when it works for your schedule

  • White Rewarded Icon – Last Mile Food Rescue

    Feel rewarded for doing your part

Are You Driven to Make a Change?

  • Would you like to help us end food insecurity?
  • Do you want to help keep food out of the landfill?
  • Are you looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity that fits into your busy schedule?

Join us and make a difference!

Your Time Is Valuable

We understand you want to help but sometimes it’s tricky to fit volunteering into your schedule. That’s why Last Mile Food Rescue makes it easy to volunteer. You can do a rescue on your way to work or on your lunch hour.

  • Over 17 million pounds of excess food saved since 2020
  • 4.4 million meals provided in 2025 alone
  • 1 easy-to-use app does it all

Fighting Food Waste and Hunger? There’s an App for That!

And it's easy to use.

Our app guides volunteers to pick up and deliver donated surplus food. It's as easy as ordering a ride and our dispatchers are always available to help.

Not Sure If Rescuing Is for You?

Shadow someone on a rescue! We have regulars who are happy to walk you through your first rescue. Schedule one by emailing us at info@lastmilefood.org or calling 513-449-1698.

A Closer Look at Our App

Last Mile Food uses a smartphone app to connect volunteers with food donors and the agencies that feed people. Watch this short video for a closer look at how the app works.

Beyond Food Rescues: More Ways to Help

We have volunteers who help us with other tasks including events, administrative work, or even data analytics. If you want to get involved, email us to let us know or check out our current openings if you are interested in joining us full time!

Testimonials

Help End Hunger and Wasted Food

  • Green Download App Icon – Last Mile Food Rescue

    1. Download our app.

  • Orange Guidelines Icon – Last Mile Food Rescue

    2. Claim and complete a rescue.

  • Navy Feel Good Icon – Last Mile Food Rescue

    3. Feel good about doing your part.

Spread the Joy of Giving Back

Did you know? Volunteering reduces stress and releases positive feelings. If you have just 60 minutes (or less) and access to a vehicle, you could be making a big difference in our community and in your mindset, too!

Why Wait To Spread the Joy of Giving Back?

Did you know? Volunteering reduces stress and releases positive feelings. If you have just 60 minutes (or less) and access to a vehicle, you could be making a big difference in our community and in your mindset, too!

FAQs

What do I need to volunteer?

All you need is a personal vehicle, a smartphone and an hour of time to give! You’ll download the Last Mile Food Rescue app, and use the app to browse, claim and complete a rescue route. Volunteers also complete a brief food safety training in the app or online.

Where/when do food rescues happen?

Food rescues happen all across Cincinnati and NKY, Monday through Saturday. Download the app to see which rescues work for your location and availability! New rescues pop up every day, so check back often.

Is my car too small?

Yes! Mini is mighty! Many food rescues can fit into a sedan. When you view a rescue on the app, you’ll see an estimate of what the average rescue there includes. If a larger vehicle is required, the rescue will say so. If you have a super small car, stick to smaller rescues like UDF and Chick-Fil-A instead of our large produce rescues like Kroger or Trader Joe’s. 

How long does a rescue take?

Most rescue routes take an hour or less. We try to design rescues so that you are not in the car for any longer than you might be traveling from your grocery store to your home.

When you claim a rescue, you’ll see a time range such as 10:30-11:30 a.m. This is a range for when you should PICK UP. In this example, you just need to arrive at the food donor no later than 11:30 a.m. and then take it directly to the nonprofit. 

What if I have questions while on my rescue?

Text or call our dispatch team at 513-449-1698. They’re always available to help while you’re on the road. There’s even a phone icon in the app that you can tap to call us anytime.

If you have questions before your rescue, check out our YouTube channel, which has lots of tutorials. Call us if we can help with anything!

What if my schedule changes?

If you are unable to complete a rescue, it’s easy to drop it in the app. Simply go to the “my rescues” tab and click “drop this rescue.” Or, if you have signed up for a weekly rescue, you can “request a sub” and then either drop a specific week or cancel all weeks.

If it’s within two hours of the start of the rescue, you won’t be able to drop it in the app. Just give us a call and we’ll handle it from there.

Are there other ways I can help?

Of course! If you are unable to do rescues and still want to join the Last Mile volunteer team – or you do rescues and want to get more involved, let us know! We have “superhero” volunteers who help us with other tasks including captaining a Kroger store, helping at events or with admin work, or even doing data analytics. If you want to get involved in a bigger way, email Erin, our volunteer coordinator!