Peer Navigator Volunteer Role

Community Markets are large-scale, multi-day pantries that are equity-centered and community-led. They feel like a grocery store with community participants able to browse, touch, and choose products. This opportunity is an indoor community market being operated by Food Bank staff. The Peer Navigator plays a vital role in connecting individuals in our community to the resources and support they need to thrive. This individual is a specialist who provides emotional and social support to individuals facing a range of personal challenges including food insecurity.

Peer Navigator Volunteers are trusted community members who support participants at Community Markets in finding and accessing local help. They use their own lived experience to assist with things like making appointments, contacting service providers, and connecting participants to partner organizations. Peer Navigator Volunteers also share useful information about local resources, offer support, and help keep track of who was referred to where, so no one has to figure it out alone.

Key Responsibilities

  • Offering guidance and warm referrals to trusted community partners, in relationship with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and grounded in lived experience
  • Learning about and referring peers to community services and programs
  • Tracking participant referrals to service providers by topic

What You’ll Gain

  • Hands-on training in resource navigation and referral practices
  • Experience in meaningful, community-based outreach
  • Opportunity to uplift and empower neighbors
  • A chance to be part of a supportive, purpose-driven team
  • A training stipend and another stipend upon completion of service

What We’re Looking For

  • Compassionate and dependable individuals
  • Strong listeners who respect privacy and boundaries
  • Interest in community resources and service navigation
  • Must be 18 or older
  • Bilingual skills with Spanish and/or Cantonese are a big plus!

Time Commitment

  • 6-month time commitment (includes 5-hours of training)
  • Shifts available weekly at local San Francisco and Marin Community Markets
  • Flexible hours with a minimum commitment of 10 hours/week

Apply here.


Shifts at Community Markets do not qualify for SFMTA, SF Court, and Project 20 hours, more info here.