COVID-19 has hit families hard in the wallet - help get food to neighbors in need

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Feeding South Dakota is currently working to serve more than twice as many families as usual who are facing food insecurity made more critical to the COVID-19 crisis. Help your neighbors in need today by volunteering to distribute boxes and bags of emergency food to those who need a little extra food assistance.

This opportunity is located at the current site of the Sioux Falls community food distributions - the former Fareway Foods supermarket on W. 41st St., between S. Grange and West Avenues.

Key Responsibilities:

Volunteers will assist with a variety of tasks to help with the twice-weekly distribution of emergency food boxes to the public. The community food distributions are currently held from 1 pm to 7 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. Distributing food also involves a large amount of prep work to ensure the process is safe, friendly and no-contact.

Volunteer duties may include:

• Assisting Feeding South Dakota staff in unloading, sorting and packing perishable food items such as bread and produce into boxes and totes
• Unloading food boxes from pallets for distribution
• Directing traffic
• Greeting the public
• Registering guests receiving food using tablet computers or clipboards/paper
• Loading food boxes into vehicle trunks and ensuring a friendly farewell

Support/Training:

Wear comfortable clothing, your CDC-recommended cloth face covering or disposable mask and closed-toe/closed-heel shoes. Volunteers will be given instructions and training upon arrival and will have staff support and supervision throughout their shift. Distribution volunteers working around traffic will be given additional safety gear to wear.

Qualifications:

• Ability to stand and walk for 2-3 hours at a time
• Ability to lift 10 to 30 pounds
• Work will be both indoors and outdoors in summer weather

Age Requirements:

This position may be working in a facility alongside forklift traffic as well as outdoors in a parking lot around vehicle traffic. For safety reasons, all volunteers must be 11 years or older. Volunteers under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Health/Safety:

At Feeding South Dakota, there is no higher priority than the safety of our volunteers and the people we serve. We strive to maintain clean facilities and follow best practices for food safety. Due to COVID-19, we are taking extra precautions, including increased cleaning of surfaces throughout the day and emphasizing frequent handwashing, use of hand sanitizer, changing of gloves and wearing face coverings. Do not volunteer if you are sick or have been exposed to anyone who has been sick.

To view available shifts and sign up to volunteer, please sign up at our volunteer website at http://feedingsouthdakota.galaxydigital.com.