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Good 4.18rating (74)
  • Zero Hunger

Food Waste Reduction Experience

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Create an impact while traveling
  • Contribute to the development of the community
  • Pack meals for families of the communities registered distributed with periodical routine

Highlights

  • Create an impact while traveling
  • Contribute to the development of the community
  • Pack meals for families of the communities registered distributed with periodical routine
  • Meet other like-minded volunteers from all over the world.
  • Learn Italian and improve your language skills.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Reduce food waste contributing support those in needs.

    In response to the growing need to reduce food waste and support families facing economic hardship in Rome, our Food Rescue volunteer program steps in where surplus meets scarcity. Every day, large retailers and food distributors generate high-quality excess products that would otherwise go to ...

    About the program

    In response to the growing need to reduce food waste and support families facing economic hardship in Rome, our Food Rescue volunteer program steps in where surplus meets scarcity. Every day, large retailers and food distributors generate high-quality excess products that would otherwise go to waste. Our volunteers help recover, sort, and redistribute this food, ensuring it reaches local charities and community organizations that support individuals and families in vulnerable situations.

    Through close collaboration with trusted local partners, volunteers actively contribute to transforming surplus into solidarity. By collecting unsold yet perfectly edible food and facilitating its redistribution, they help reduce environmental impact while strengthening community resilience. Food Rescue is more than a logistics effort — it is a tangible act of social responsibility that connects businesses, nonprofits, and citizens in a shared commitment to dignity, sustainability, and collective well-being across Rome.


    What to Expect:

    • Hands-on: label and sort food donation
    • Community impact: Pack meals for families of the communities registered distributed with periodical routine
    • Cultural exchange & collaboration: Work alongside local volunteers in a warehouse to organise and distribute for the families in need.

    Tasks:

    • Sort donations
    • Grocery prep

    Why Join?

    • Make an Impact: Considering the huge amount of food this is an endless chain we do not want to break
    • Gain Experience: Learn more about being part of a team, food conservation, big distribution system
    • Cultural Immersion: Experience life in Rome while making a positive difference.

    Typical day

    07:00 am – 10:00 am | Breakfast at the volunteer’s accommodation

    10:00 am – 13:30 pm | 

    • (1) Travel to project to join local placement staff and begin work on your volunteer project or 
    • (2) Explore the city, relax or enroll in other activities if you have an afternoon project

    13:30 pm – 02:30 ...

    Typical day

    07:00 am – 10:00 am | Breakfast at the volunteer’s accommodation

    10:00 am – 13:30 pm | 

    • (1) Travel to project to join local placement staff and begin work on your volunteer project or 
    • (2) Explore the city, relax or enroll in other activities if you have an afternoon project

    13:30 pm – 02:30 pm | Lunch at the Restaurant. After lunch, you will have the remainder of the day free to relax and use as you wish.

    02:30 pm – 07:30 pm | 

    • (1) Travel to project to join local placement staff and begin work on your volunteer project or 
    • (2) Explore the city, relax or enroll in other activities if you have a morning project

    08:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Dinner at the Restaurant. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

    Free-time activities

    We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local!

    Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in ...

    Free-time activities

    We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local!

    Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 18:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    What’s included?

    • Pick up at one of the two international airports & transfer to the accommodation - on Sunday 

    On Sunday, the ImpacTrip team will be at the airport waiting for you with a big sign and a smile on their face! :)

    If you arrive prior to Sunday, you will still be able to receive an airport pickup and our team can transport you to the accommodation, but you will need to pay an extra fee for this service.
    • Accommodation in a shared room in a gender-separated rooms
    • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at local restaurant (Local style. Vegetarian, gluten-free and meals for lactose-intolerant are also available upon request)
    • Shared use of common spaces, including spacious gardens and pool, and free WIFI
    • Orientation event on arrival (including an introduction to Italian and culture, volunteer experience, overview of programs, practical information, safety guidelines)
    • Guided city tour
    • The best tips to discover the city!
    • Allocation and coordination of a work placement in an impactful non-profit project
    • Introduction on the first day of volunteering
    • Ongoing support throughout the stay
    • 24h/7 emergency support

    Airport Pickup at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport

    On Sunday, the ImpacTrip team will be at the airport waiting for you with a big sign and a smile on their face! :)

    If you arrive prior to Sunday, you will still be able to receive an airport pickup and our team can transport you to the accommodation, but you will need to pay an extra fee for this service.

    We will reach out to you by WhatsApp a few days before your start date to connect

    Accommodation

    Volunteers are accommodated in a hostel in the very city center, 15min walking to the main station in Rome, Termini. You can expect to share the dorm with up to three more volunteers of the same gender. Every room has its own bathroom; also you can find common toilets around the hostel. Bedding and towels are provided, and there are shared western bathrooms. Staff will clean the accommodation throughout the week, however volunteers are required to keep their room tidy. 

    The hostel offers a common kitchen on the third floor to warm or prepare some food (not big meals). 

    Wi-Fi covers the entire structure

    The closest pharmacy is 5mins walking distance to the hostel. 

    ATTRACTIONS NEARBY (walking distance)
    Colosseo
    Via dei Fori Imperiali
    Fontana di Trevi 
    Pantheon
    Piazza Navona

    Life hack: every first Sunday of the month museums are free (there are some exceptions so please check on the official website of the exposition/museum you want to visit before showing up). 

    Food & Beverages

    We provide 3 meals a day.

    Meals happen outside of the structure. Three mins walking from the hostel there is the affiliated bar where volunteers are guaranteed cornetto and cappuccino from 6.30am to 10.30am. Lunch and Dinner happens 10 mins walking from the hostel in the affiliated restaurant from 12pm to 2pm, and 7pm to 10pm. The restaurant is closed on Sunday. On Sundays dinner can be provided in the same bar as the breakfast. 

    For both, you always have available more than one option, as well as vegetarian/vegan dishes. 

    Tap water is drinkable in Rome  (unless it is specified it is non-drinkable water) and in the accommodation where you can refill your reusable bottle. 

    Do you have any Food Restrictions? If you have any diet restrictions or special diet, please let us know as soon as possible so we can be prepared to provide appropriate meals for you.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome. We assist you to find cheap flights to Italy. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Italy provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Italy you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Italy. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Our Rome programs start every Sunday.
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $1,221 per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.2
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers
    •
    2025
    I ended up staying in the program for a week. I loved working with the cats and the people there, who were all really sweet. The program ...
    •
    2024
    I recommend this experience to absolutely anyone, it was the best of my life. The first week my placement was in a Skatepark in Cascais, so ...
    Alba Gala Torrero

    Child & Youth Supporter

    •
    2024
    Stayed 2 weeks in October 2024. Warm welcomed by a dynamic and enthusiastic team. Clear and detailed information provided. Good location, ...
    Eliane BURLAC

    Child & Youth Supporter

    •
    2024
    This stay in Barcelona was amazing. To be able to discover a city and to work at the same time is a great thing for me. I worked in a cat ...

    Location

    Europe > Southern Europe > Italy > Roma

    Meet your project coordinator

    Cristiana
    74
    reviews
    4.18
    Good
    2015
    Founded

    Verified

      Good response rate
    Spoken languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English
    Travel safely by using Volunteer World for your communication and bookings. This way, you can benefit from the Flex Option, Refund Guarantee, and Resolution Support.

    You might also be interested in

    Volunteer Abroad  >  Community  >  Social Work in Italy
    Contact Cristiana
      Good response rate
    Portuguese, Spanish, English

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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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