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Volunteer at SODO Community Market

SODO Community Market is a no-cost grocery store that offers great customer service, dignity, and a sense of community

Volunteer Roles

Market & Back-of-House

Volunteers greet guests, bag groceries, restock the market, repack staple items for distribution, sort donations and more. Market roles are concurrent with Back-of-House roles. Roles are assigned at the start of the shift.

We welcome groups, but due to the size of the market, group size is limited to 5. Larger groups often split up and volunteer over multiple days.

  • Monday – 1:15pm-4:30pm / 4:15pm-7:30pm
  • Wednesday – 7:45am-11:00am / 10:45am-2:00pm
  • Friday – 7:45am-11:00am / 10:45am-2:00pm
Interested in Volunteering?

Fill out our application form HERE.

SODO Community Market Volunteer FAQs

How do I sign up for a shift?

After we receive your application, our SODO volunteer coordinator will send you an email to discuss shift availability and scheduling. Once we’ve found a mutually agreeable shift (or shifts), we’ll send you a confirmation email with all the details you’ll need for volunteering. Please note that we have a two-shift limit per week and that these must be on different days.

If a recurring shift is not available, we are offering standby volunteering.

Are there drop-in volunteer opportunities?

Unfortunately, we don’t offer drop-in volunteer opportunities. We plan our daily operations around the number of volunteers we have on the schedule. In order to best support smooth operations for our market team, all shifts must be scheduled in advance.

Do I need to attend an orientation?

Individual volunteers and small family groups are required to attend a 2 hour separate orientation.  Orientations are offered twice a month.

Corporate groups, service groups, and religious groups will be provided an orientation at the start of their shift.

Can you confirm service hours?

We’re happy to provide hours confirmation for school or work purposes. However, we’re unable to offer court-related service.

Can any age volunteer or do you have an age limit?

Anyone who is nine years old, or in the third grade, is welcome! Nine-to-15-year-olds need to have a parent or guardian with them. Individuals who are 16 and 17 years old are able to volunteer on their own with an application and a parent/guardian permission form on file.

SODO Community Market

1915 Fourth Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98034

Directions: The SODO Community Market is located just south of the intersection of Fourth and Holgate in the SODO neighborhood. Metro routes 131 and 132 stop right in front of the market and routes 21, 101 and 150 also serve the area. The closest light rail stop is the SODO station, which is between Lander and Holgate.