Morning Food Bank

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Morning Food Bank

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. -MargaretMead

The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank (IFCB) serves an average of 400 households each week thanks to the amazing team of volunteers who come in each day to make good things happen. IFCB runs on "volunteer power" and we couldn't do the work that we do without volunteers like you.

Volunteers are needed weekday mornings to help process food deliveries, sort donations, organize and stock foods, portion bulk foods, and assist clients during grocery hours.

The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank (IFCB) uses a self select grocery model so clients can shop for the foods that their families will actually eat in a space designed to feel like a grocery store. The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank places a special emphasis on providing access to fresh, local produce, and healthier food options. We receive fresh food donations from local grocery partners, community gardens, private gardens, farmers markets, fruit gleaning projects, and other community harvest partners.

Where:

Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank
179 1st Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA 98027

When: Monday-Friday, 9 am - 1:15 pm

What will volunteers be doing?

Part of the volunteer crew will be working on food intake in the back of the food bank while other parts of the team will be stocking and preparing the grocery store for grocery services which begin at 10 am Tuesday-Thursday. Once we open for grocery services, volunteers in the front of the food bank will be busy assisting clients while the volunteers in the back of the food bank will continue to process the "waves" of food deliveries that come in thoughout the morning.

• Helping unload delivery trucks, weighing and recording food donation
• Date checking foods and checking donations against Food Lifeline recall lists
• Sorting, washing and portioning produce
• Restocking grocery areas
• Portioning bulk foods
• Assisting clients
• Helping families to their vehicles or walking seniors to the senior center (Grocery Cart Duty)
• Sanitizing food surfaces and cleaning (we try to keep the food bank as clean as possible)

General Safety Stuff: The IFCB staff strives to provide a welcoming and inclusive volunteer environment, and to prevent injuries (nobody get's hurt on our watch). Some tasks may involve standing for extended periods of time or lifting (generally 30-60 lbs.). Please notify a staff member if you have any lifting restrictions or if you need assistance, special accommodations, alternate tasks or modified tasks.

Since some bulks foods that get portioned may include nuts or other potential allergens, please let IFCB staff members know if you have any food allergies that require particular caution so we know not to assign food portioning tasks.

How to sign-up:

1. Please register online at https://www.issaquahfoodbank.org/volunteer/

2. Log in to the volunteer dashboard and sign up for a new volunteer orientation. **Orientations last approximately 30 minutes and are required for all new volunteers.**

3. Sign up for any volunteer shift that fits your schedule

4. Have fun volunteering. If we're not having fun, we're not doing it right.

Other Stuff You Might Be Wondering About:

Q. Where should I park?
A. Free public parking is available in the lot directly across the street from the food bank, on the other side of the green space dividing the two parking lots and by the community center. Free street parking is also available alongside our building. We kindly ask that volunteers avoid parking in the side ally (which we use for deliveries) or in parking spaces designated for Spa Chi.

Since parking in front of the building is also for clients, please park a littler further out if possible.

Q. What should I wear?
A. The dress code for the food bank is pretty casual and IFCB is definitely a "jeans and a t-shirt" sort of place. Please plan to wear something comfortable that you can move in and something that you don't mind getting dusty or dirty. It is strongly advised that you wear comfortable, closed toe shoes since the floors can be rather hard on feet and you'll want to protect your toes.

Q. What should I bring?
A. All you need to bring is a positive attitude, an open mind and a desire to help. We generally provide water, tea, coffee and donuts/pastries. Please feel free to bring your own munchies if you would like to stop for a snack. A fridge and a microwave are both available for volunteer and staff use.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email megan@issaquahfoodbank.org or call 425-392-4123, ext. 10.

*Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer during regular volunteer shifts. IFCB Family Weekends are offered on the first Saturday of every month and are open to teens 13-15 years old. Teen volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or adult during Family Weekends.

**We accept court ordered community service volunteers, however we reserve the right to ask you how many hours you are required to serve and what your infraction was. We reserve the right to decline volunteers based on the nature of the offense.