Make a direct impact on seniors in need as an Order Ahead Distribution Volunteer!

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Second Harvest Heartland is committed to delivering a premiere volunteer and client experience, and we need your help! Volunteers in this position will help distribute packed food boxes for our hungry neighbors while providing high quality customer service and attention to detail to carry out the mission of Second Harvest Heartland.

As a Distribution Volunteer, you would assist the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) team primarily by working with CSFP program participants/clients and assisting in direct distribution and program operation necessary for the timely and accurate implementation of the CSFP client choice programming pilot, Order Ahead, at our Brooklyn Park location. In the Order Ahead pilot program, participants pre-select the items packed in their boxes and volunteers fill and distribute the orders to client during their pick-up appointments.Through CSFP, Second Harvest Heartland provides a box of nutritious food each month to low-income seniors 60 years and over through the Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS).

We are looking for volunteers to commit to one shift a week for 6 months. Available volunteer shifts are Tuesday 9:00-11:30AM and 1:00-3:30PM, Wednesday 9:00-11:30AM and 1:00-3:30PM

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greet and welcome clients and other volunteers on-site
• Update our client database and track client pick-up schedules
• Help with other duties as needed, including sorting, bagging, distributing extra food items to clients, or occasional light clerical or janitorial tasks
• Load prepared boxes of 30-35 pounds into client’s vehicles during their pick-up appointment
• Provide a meaningful and productive experience for clients by being available for questions, providing direction, and building rapport with clients and other volunteers
• Adhere to food safety and safety guidelines

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Comfortable using a computer-based client software and food ordering website
• Ability to stand and walk around for extended period, 2-3 hours
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds consistently and frequently bend and twist
• Ability to work in warehouse conditions and in indoor/outdoor environments
• Ability to adjust to changing conditions, multi-task and prioritize tasks appropriately with a strong attention to detail due to nature of pilot programing and think on your feet
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality, punctuality, accountability and patience under stress
• Ability to provide timely feedback on pilot program experience to enhance the program to benefit volunteers and clients
• Understand safety policies and actively promote safe practices in all program activities
• Enjoy working with people and a willingness to interact patiently and with empathy with participants from diverse economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds and uphold a non-judgmental, positive regard. Volunteer will be communicating with and assisting seniors from many different cultures and ethnicities.
• Ability to meet SHH’s guidelines for background check: Volunteers in this position work closely with vulnerable populations and are exposed to sensitive client information. SHH will be conducting criminal background checks for all volunteers in this position. SHH reserves the right to decline working with a volunteer, or dismiss a current volunteer, based on the results of the background check.

TIME REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE:

TOTAL TIME REQUIRMENT: Minimum 6-month commitment

START DATE: On or after October 11th, 2021

SHIFT OPTIONS:Tuesday or Thursday: 2-3 hour shifts for box distribution (9:00-11:30AM and 1:00-3:30PM)

WORK SITE: Second Harvest Heartland, 7101 Winnetka Ave. N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

To apply: Visit the opportunity on our portal, www.volunteer.2harvest.org and click on Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities to see all available roles. If the opportunity sounds like a good fit for you, click on "Respond" to express your interest and complete the initial steps in the process. After responding, you’ll get an email confirming your interest and a link to our application.

Questions? Reach out to Beth Ashton, bashton@2harvest.org.