CalFresh Outreach Volunteer

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CalFresh (also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps) is a federally-funded food assistance program that provides qualifying households money for groceries each month. If approved, a household receives an EBT debit card, which is reloaded automatically each month and can be spent at most grocery stores and farmer’s markets. You can learn more about CalFresh on our website: www.feedingsandiego.org/calfresh/

The CalFresh Team at Feeding San Diego works to eliminate hunger in San Diego County by connecting eligible San Diegans with CalFresh, through education and outreach, case management, and advocacy efforts. CalFresh Outreach Volunteers support this goal by working alongside our CalFresh team to promote CalFresh in the community.

Major Responsibilities/Tasks

CalFresh Outreach Volunteers will conduct community outreach and pre-screening at FSD partner sites (including Together Tour distributions, pantry sites, and resource fairs). Together Tour distributions involve walking along a stacked line of waiting cars to talk with people at their windows. Pantry or resource fair sites have a table set up.

Tasks include:

• Increasing CalFresh awareness, de-stigmatizing "food stamps," and myth-busting fears regarding CalFresh enrollment.
• Explaining CalFresh program eligibility, application, and renewal guidelines to community members.
• Passing out CalFresh and other resource flyers when appropriate.
• Prescreening community members for CalFresh eligibility and referring them to FSD CalFresh team for application or renewal follow-up.
• Engage community members in conversations about how they can add to their food budget by applying to CalFresh for food assistance benefits.
• Not required: If applicable, help provide application translation support at certain sites, particularly in Spanish or Vietnamese.

Benefits to Outreach Volunteer

• Volunteer will receive an orientation and training from FSD, which will provide not only a functioning knowledge of the organization but also an education on the state of hunger in San Diego.
• Volunteer will receive an in-depth training on CalFresh eligibility, program barriers, and compassionate outreach practices.
• Volunteer hours will be logged and service letters are available upon completion of minimum time commitment (upon request).
• One FSD shirt will be provided at the completion of full training period.
• Volunteer will help address the issue of health and food insecurity in our community.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge or interest in social justice, public benefits assistance, and/or social work.
• Comfortable being proactive and outgoing when engaging community members in conversations about food insecurity and nutrition.
• Ability to work in a variety of settings with culturally-diverse communities and be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to commit to one to two regular distributions per month in order to build relationships with a specific community.
• Ability to carry boxes of outreach flyers, set up tables and pop-up tents, and walk down a line of cars at a large scale distribution.
• Reliable transportation and possession of a valid driver’s license, a satisfactory driving record, and proof of personal vehicle insurance.

Preferred Abilities

• Previous outreach experience with a non-profit organization preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, and/or Tagalog preferred.

Training Schedule

The CalFresh Team at Feeding San Diego will provide an understanding of Feeding San Diego as a whole, as well as role specific training on CalFresh program guidelines and outreach. There will be opportunities to shadow staff or a more experienced volunteer.