Opportunity Details

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! Below is some information about the program and what to expect when volunteering. If there are any location-specific logistics that volunteers need to know (parking directions, weather updates, etc.), Coordinators will send an additional email prior to the distribution.  For any questions in the meantime, please see the contact information below. Please know that court-ordered and / or attorney recommended volunteers are not allowed to participate. We won't verify court- ordered hours.

Program Overview:

Most of the product that flows through the Food Bank is distributed by our network of partner agencies – over 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, after school programs and more who serve their communities directly. Despite their amazing work, there are still parts of our service area where food resources are difficult to access.   

This is where Pop Up Markets come in. They are no cost food distributions facilitated by the Food Bank with no residency, income, or ID requirements to participate. Unlike traditional partnerships, the Pop Up Markets program is meant to provide flexible and temporary assistance across our service area. It can act as a bridge to partnership for sites, or as a supplemental resource for the community while the Food Bank works to grow our capacity in the area.  

Pop Up Markets are primarily walk-up, client choice food distributions. We bring 8-12 pallets of food, mostly fresh produce, and serve an average of 200 families over the course of a 2-hour distribution. After a brief check-in process on our iPads with the assistance of volunteers, neighbors can grab one of our carts and select the items they know their family will enjoy.  

The Food Bank values the diversity of our staff, volunteers, neighbors, and community partners and is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all. Harassment of any member of any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, transgender status and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and other characteristics is a form of discrimination that violates the law and our organizational policy. We expect that all individuals present for Pop Up Markets adhere to these guidelines.    

Volunteer Roles:

Volunteer roles for distributions are assigned day-of, with Pop Up Markets Coordinators leading the setup process and a volunteer “huddle” before we begin. If you have a specific role in mind, feel free to let us know! Some do require more heavy lifting than others, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance or to change roles if needed.  

Intake: Checking in neighbors on an iPad. This quick survey allows us to track how many households/individuals we are serving and supports programmatic decision-making. The only personal information we ask for is a phone number in the event of product recalls, and/or if neighbors want their number added to our mass text list for cancellation or rescheduling notifications.

Stocking tables: Moving food from pallets to tables for neighbors to pick up as they come through the line. This includes informing neighbors of any item limits and/or sharing recipes for the items we have that day!

Sorting bulk produce: Occasionally we bring bulk produce to Pop Up Markets, which then has to be bagged into household-size quantities. These are often foods like sweet potatoes, zucchini, onions, etc.

Wagons: Assisting neighbors by pulling wagons through the line and/or to their vehicles to unload. This is the most physically active of the roles! Also includes monitoring the parking lot for any wagons that can be brought back to the next person in line.

What to Wear/Bring 

All Pop Up Markets are outdoors, so please check the weather and dress appropriately! We will have a cooler with bottled water, but feel free to bring a snack or anything else you may need to be comfortable during the distribution. Closed toe shoes are required, as we are working around pallet jacks and other heavy equipment.  

Contact Information

Isa (eesa) Bailey - Pop Up Markets Coordinator: ibailey@foodbankcenc.org, (910) 622-0035 (call or text!)

This event is not located at the Food Bank. It is located at the different locations.

Opportunity Name: Pop Up Markets - Wilmington Branch Based
Description: Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! Below is some information about the program and what to expect when volunteering. If there are any location-specific logistics that volunteers need to know (parking directions, weather updates, etc.), Coordinators will send an additional email prior to the distribution.  For any questions in the meantime, please see the contact information below. Please know that court-ordered and / or attorney recommended volunteers are not allowed to participate. We won't verify court- ordered hours. Program Overview: Most of the product that flows through the Food Bank is distributed by our network of partner agencies – over 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, after school programs and more who serve their communities directly. Despite their amazing work, there are still parts of our service area where food resources are difficult to access.    This is where Pop Up Markets come in. They are no cost food distributions facilitated by the Food Bank with no residency, income, or ID requirements to participate. Unlike traditional partnerships, the Pop Up Markets program is meant to provide flexible and temporary assistance across our service area. It can act as a bridge to partnership for sites, or as a supplemental resource for the community while the Food Bank works to grow our capacity in the area.   Pop Up Markets are primarily walk-up, client choice food distributions. We bring 8-12 pallets of food, mostly fresh produce, and serve an average of 200 families over the course of a 2-hour distribution. After a brief check-in process on our iPads with the assistance of volunteers, neighbors can grab one of our carts and select the items they know their family will enjoy.   The Food Bank values the diversity of our staff, volunteers, neighbors, and community partners and is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all. Harassment of any member of any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, transgender status and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and other characteristics is a form of discrimination that violates the law and our organizational policy. We expect that all individuals present for Pop Up Markets adhere to these guidelines.     Volunteer Roles: Volunteer roles for distributions are assigned day-of, with Pop Up Markets Coordinators leading the setup process and a volunteer “huddle” before we begin. If you have a specific role in mind, feel free to let us know! Some do require more heavy lifting than others, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance or to change roles if needed.   Intake: Checking in neighbors on an iPad. This quick survey allows us to track how many households/individuals we are serving and supports programmatic decision-making. The only personal information we ask for is a phone number in the event of product recalls, and/or if neighbors want their number added to our mass text list for cancellation or rescheduling notifications.  Stocking tables: Moving food from pallets to tables for neighbors to pick up as they come through the line. This includes informing neighbors of any item limits and/or sharing recipes for the items we have that day!  Sorting bulk produce: Occasionally we bring bulk produce to Pop Up Markets, which then has to be bagged into household-size quantities. These are often foods like sweet potatoes, zucchini, onions, etc.   Wagons: Assisting neighbors by pulling wagons through the line and/or to their vehicles to unload. This is the most physically active of the roles! Also includes monitoring the parking lot for any wagons that can be brought back to the next person in line.   What to Wear/Bring  All Pop Up Markets are outdoors, so please check the weather and dress appropriately! We will have a cooler with bottled water, but feel free to bring a snack or anything else you may need to be comfortable during the distribution. Closed toe shoes are required, as we are working around pallet jacks and other heavy equipment.   Contact Information Isa (eesa) Bailey - Pop Up Markets Coordinator: ibailey@foodbankcenc.org, (910) 622-0035 (call or text!) This event is not located at the Food Bank. It is located at the different locations.
Meeting Location:	Multiple Locations Multiple Locations View Map / Get Directions
Organizer:	Isa Bailey ibailey@foodbankcenc.org 910-622-0035

Category:	Food Distribution / Wilmington

Date/Time & Details	Spots Available
Mon, Nov 3, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 257 Church St, Cerro Gordo, NC 28430	Closed

Wed, Nov 5, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 8730 Point Caswell Rd, Atkinson NC 28421	14

Tue, Nov 11, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 1308 N 5th Ave, Wilmington, NC 28401	8

Wed, Nov 12, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 945 NC Hwy 241, Pink Hill, NC 28572	15

Sat, Nov 15, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 6224 Chadbourn Hwy, Chadbourn, NC 28431	13

Tue, Nov 18, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 811 N College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405	7

Fri, Nov 21, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 2586 Old Ocean Hwy, Bolivia, NC 28422	11

Tue, Nov 25, 2025 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM 27 Old Town Creek Rd NE, Leland, NC 28451	8

Opportunity Details | Pop Up Markets - Wilmington Branch Based