Surging demand, shifting hours: Scaling food bank volunteer operations for SNAP policy changes

Who should attend

• Food Bank Volunteer Managers and Directors
• Operations and Distribution Team Members
• Executive Directors

This session is for food bank and hunger-relief leaders who will feel rising demand first. That includes volunteer managers and directors, operations leaders responsible for distribution and shift coverage, and development teams who want to turn volunteers into long-term supporters. Executive directors and COOs planning for 2027 will also find it useful, as will anyone running a pantry network or community food program that depends on volunteer hours to keep up with need.

Speakers

Andrea Richardson, Director of Volunteer Services, Houston Food Bank

Results-driven non-profit leader with extensive experience directing large-scale volunteer programs, special events, and community engagement across the Greater Houston area. Currently serving as the Director of Volunteer Services at the Houston Food Bank, leveraging a strong background in volunteer management, operational strategy, and donor relations to drive community impact and support local hunger-relief initiatives.

Dawn Opel, Senior Vice President at RKD Group

A fundraising and marketing agency for nonprofits, where Dawn helps organizations use data and donor insight to grow supporter relationships and revenue.

Martin O’Neill, Head of Marketing, North America, Rosterfy (Host)

Martin leads Rosterfy’s North American marketing strategy, helping non-profits and community organizations leverage technology to engage, retain, and scale volunteer workforces. He specializes in connecting volunteer leaders with the tools and insights needed to streamline operations and maximize community impact.

What's Changing for Nonprofits in North America

Demand is rising as funding tightens. In the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2025 survey, 65% of nonprofit leaders reported increased demand and 69% experienced funding cuts.

The safety net is shifting. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates SNAP participation fell by more than 4.5 million people between July 2025 and April 2026. From October 2027, states with high error rates will face new financial penalties, so more households are likely to turn to community organizations.

The volunteer base is changing. Long-time volunteers are aging out, and younger people prefer one-time, event-based opportunities. In Canada, 44% of people volunteered in 2022, down from 53% a decade earlier.

What this means for you. These pressures won’t ease on their own, and responding takes time. Organizations that modernize their systems and plan for 2027 now will be ready when demand peaks.

About Houston Food Bank

Founded in 1982, the Houston Food Bank is the nation’s largest food bank in distribution, serving an 18-county network across Southeast Texas. Driven by its mission of “Food for better lives,” the organization provides access to more than 140 million meals annually alongside wraparound services—including nutrition education, job training, and disaster relief—to address the root causes of food insecurity.

About RKD Group

RKD Group is a leading fundraising and marketing agency dedicated exclusively to the non-profit sector. Combining data-driven strategy, technology, and creative storytelling, RKD helps non-profits build meaningful donor relationships, accelerate net revenue, and maximize their mission’s impact.