PRISM - Marketplace Food Shelf Volunteers

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We depend on individual, ongoing volunteerism more than ever to support our programs and services. Volunteers are key components in PRISM’s mission of providing social services and connections that empower people in our community to build healthy, stable lives. Our vision to lead in providing innovative and dignified services that foster resilient individuals and a healthier, more sustainable community. Our food shelf continues to see record high numbers amidst the pandemic. Help us in our efforts to combat issues of food insecurity in our community.

Volunteer Duties and Requirements:

Before the pandemic, the Marketplace Food Shelf utilized a "choice" model, meaning the participants are free to shop just as they do in a traditional grocery store by choosing exactly the food they need from the shelves within Food Shelf guidelines. During the pandemic, our service system has changed in order to avoid unnecessary exposure while serving a larger volume of participants simultaneously. Volunteers working in the Marketplace Food Shelf will perform a variety of duties including:

• Accept donations from the public, offer and provide the donor with a receipt if requested.
• Review and sort food donations for packaging issues and expiration dates compared to PRISM guidelines
• Build and assemble non-perishable boxes for participants shopping at our food shelf
• Stock shelves with purchased and donated products
• Break down packaging for trash and recycling
• Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work environment
• Be a resource for new recruits in the Marketplace Food Shelf, provide guidance and support to other team members.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Education, Experience:

• Effective interpersonal skills under all types of conditions, exhibiting a supportive, direct, and positive approach with participants, staff and other volunteers
• Experience and comfort working with diverse populations with the demonstrated ability to communicate and relate effectively to a wide variety of individuals
• Volunteers with experience in retail and/or direct customer service do particularly well here
• Passion for food insecurity
• Be able to lift 10 pounds, stand for duration of shift, bend and twist
• Be able to use step stools and/or ladders
• Be able to use scissors and box-cutters
• Must wear close-toed footwear

PRISM seeks to be a leader in creating meaningful and impactful volunteer experiences for community members. Our ability to best serve the community is hinged on our capacity to physically do the work, as well as having the trust and involvement of community stakeholders.

If interested, please reach out to Nolan Isaacson, Volunteer Manager, and 763-432-4230 or nisaacson@prismmpls.org.