Grand Forks' Northlands Rescue Mission seeks food pantry volunteers

The nonprofit's kitchen manager will be away for his wife's maternity leave, creating a need for extra help.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:15am

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Northlands Rescue Mission, a Grand Forks-based nonprofit that serves as the city's primary emergency shelter and provides daily hot meals and monthly food boxes, is seeking additional volunteers to help at its food pantry in the coming weeks. The Mission's kitchen manager will be away for some time in February as he and his wife welcome a new baby, creating a need for extra hands to put food boxes together and collect information from pantry visitors.

Why it matters

Northlands Rescue Mission plays a vital role in providing food assistance and other services to those in need in the Grand Forks community. Volunteer support is crucial to the organization's ability to continue operating its food pantry and meal programs, especially during times when key staff members are away.

The details

Volunteers are requested for the weeks of Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and beyond. Food box distribution takes place from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays. Volunteers will be tasked with putting food boxes together and collecting basic information from anyone who visits the pantry. Volunteers must be able to lift boxes. Last year, the Mission provided more than 8,600 food boxes to the community.

  • The Mission's kitchen manager and his wife will be welcoming a new baby in February 2026.
  • Food box distribution takes place from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.

The players

Northlands Rescue Mission

A Grand Forks-based nonprofit that serves as the city's primary emergency shelter, providing daily hot meals and monthly food boxes to community members in need.

Matthew Collings

The communications coordinator for Northlands Rescue Mission.

Korrin Nadeau

A staff member at Northlands Rescue Mission who will be in contact with volunteers to go over the application, volunteer duties and other expectations.

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What they’re saying

“In my mind, I see volunteering as equally valuable as any monetary gift. You are donating your time, and it allows us to do so much more than we would be able to (otherwise.)”

— Matthew Collings, Communications Coordinator

What’s next

Volunteers are requested for the weeks of Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and beyond. Anyone interested can sign up at northlandsrescuemission.org/volunteerspots under "food distribution volunteer" or reach out to staff member Korrin Nadeau at (701) 772-6600 ext. 1015.

The takeaway

Northlands Rescue Mission relies heavily on volunteer support to continue operating its vital food assistance programs in the Grand Forks community. With the kitchen manager away for his wife's maternity leave, the organization is seeking additional help to ensure the food pantry can remain open and serve those in need.