OUR VOLUNTEERS

At So What Else, we strive to improve the lives of children and families living in underserved communities in Montgomery County, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., by providing free food, home goods, high-quality after-school programs, and service opportunities to the children and families we serve.

To support this work, we host a number of volunteer opportunities across the region, including food recovery, education, event support, warehouse assistance, and more. We aim to make volunteer service accessible and meaningful for people of all backgrounds, experiences, interests, capabilities, and capacities.

All SWE volunteer opportunities are listed at the link below, and signing up is easy!

  • Create your profile and browse opportunities that fit your interests and availability.
  • Review of the full description of the volunteer opportunity.
  • Please be sure to register for each instance of a volunteer opportunity you wish to serve. For example, if you want to help out at the Saturday Outdoor Food Pantry, be sure to sign up each time (instance) you want to serve.
  • Sign-ups are closed 24 hours before the start of an opportunity. For last-minute sign-ups, please send an email to volunteer@sowhatelse.org or, for Baltimore opportunities, email baltimore@sowhatelse.org.

We hope to see you soon!

Sign Up to Volunteer

BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER

Age Requirements

We welcome anyone aged 10 and above to volunteer. A parent or guardian must accompany children aged 10-15. If they arrive without one, their parent or guardian will be contacted. Volunteers aged 16 and above can participate independently without the presence of a parent or guardian.

Volunteer Orientation

Volunteers coming to our North Bethesda location must watch this video before they volunteer. This is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT to do before you arrive so you are familiar with the rules and regulations.

What to Wear

Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather, especially if you are volunteering during a Saturday distribution. Volunteers MUST wear closed-toe shoes. Crocs are not allowed.

Parking

North Bethesda – Please park in the large parking lot of Wyaconda Road. Do not park  in front of the warehouse or in the loading dock/pickup area. 

Baltimore – Parking instructions for various Baltimore locations are included in each volunteer sign-up description.

Group Volunteering

If your group, team or organization is interested in volunteering, please contact us at volunteer@sowhatelse.org for North Bethesda opportunities, or baltimore@sowhatelse.org for Baltimore opportunities!

After School Program or Summer Camp Volunteering

If you’re interested in volunteering at one of our after-school or summer camp programs, please send an email to Youth Director Nifemi Olugbemiga at oolugbemiga@sowhatelse.org.

Welcome to the So What Else Volunteer Community!

Discover more about our incredible volunteers, past volunteer opportunities, and everything you need to know about volunteering with So What Else below:

So What Else Team Spotlight: Sean Bolden

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Team Spotlight: Sean Bolden Montgomery County Hunger Relief Program Coordinator Sean Bolden has grown up alongside So What Else. At just 12 years old, Sean joined the So What Else youth program at Rockville Housing in Rockville, Maryland.…
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From Volunteer to Future Leader: Akhil Vadivel’s So What Else Story

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When Akhil Vadivel first discovered So What Else, he was simply looking for a way to give back. As a high school sophomore, he began volunteering at Saturday morning food distributions and quickly saw the organization’s impact firsthand. Later…
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How So What Else Volunteers Help Protect the Planet and Nourish Our Neighbors

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Every Earth Day, we are reminded that caring for the planet is not only about what we reduce, recycle, or reuse. It’s also about how we care for one another. At So What Else, Earth Month is a time to recognize the clear connection between…
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Contact Details

Reach out to us!

Phone: (301) 887-3808
Email:info@sowhatelse.org
Fax: (240) 778-2660
EIN #: 27-1219231

Locations

  • So What Else Food Rescue Bank: 4924 Wyaconda Rd, North Bethesda, MD 20852
  • Baltimore Resource Center: 424 S Pulaski St, Baltimore, MD 21223
  • So What Else, Inc. Office: 6901 Rockledge Drive, Suite 709, Bethesda, MD 20817 (Mailing address only – Do not come to this address)

Contacts