Program:
The Hand-Up Food Pantry provides food relief to 800+ families monthly throughout San Diego County. We believe in helping clients reach self-sufficiency by providing a ‘hand up’ - not just a hand out - to clients experiencing food insecurity. As part of our Hand-Up Food Pantry, the Corner Market is just as it sounds - a small shop designed to create a shopping experience for clients who need extra support with their groceries each month. Clients are able to select fresh produce, meat, bread, dairy, and non-perishable shelf-stable pantry items in familiar environment, with no money exchanged. Instead, we use a "points" system which assigns a number based only on how many people are in the household. In this way, clients can meet their family's basic needs while customizing their choices to their unique food preferences and dietary restrictions.
Goal of Position:
Volunteers are able to help assist in a critical area of need and help alleviate hunger in San Diego, with an impact that can be seen and felt in every client interaction. Volunteers are needed to assist clients with checking in, shopping, answering questions about food preparation and storage, tallying points used, bagging groceries, and scheduling future appointments. We aim to provide a warm and welcoming experience for all, meeting each client where they are, and providing help without judgment.
Responsibilities:
- Provide excellent and professional customer service to clients
- Demonstrate a high level of professionalism and empathy at all times and in all encounters on campus
- Be compassionate, friendly, patient, and to develop and maintain good rapport with clients
- Be mindful of client arrivals, greet them quickly, check them in for their appointment, and explain the rules and processes of the market
- Keep accurate and confidential records at all times
- Answer questions, scan grocery items, and bag selections as needed
- Assist with scheduling future appointments, as needed
- Escort clients between the parking area and the market
- Keep the pantry area clean and in compliance with food safety standards
- Organize and restock the pantry as needed
- Make reminder calls to clients as needed using the provided script
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Be able to lift bins and boxes up to 25 pounds.
- Be able to bend, twist and lift, and stand for extended periods of time.
- Comfortable working with and serving people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures.
- Demonstrate a high level of customer service and empathy skills.
- Be able and confident in computer use.
- Be able to volunteer in person at Balboa Campus.
- Be willing to follow all current health, safety, and security guidelines.
- Schedule shifts in advance in Galaxy Digital and give 24 hours advance notice if unable to keep your commitment.
- Complete and sign current Volunteer Waiver.
- Pass background check.
- Complete HIPAA/Privacy and Security training and demonstrate full understanding of the material.
Time Commitment:
- Preference given to volunteers who can make an ongoing commitment of at least a 3 months
- Volunteer shifts will be 2.5-3.0 hours long
- Volunteers can register for multiple shifts, days, and times as desired
- Volunteers will need to give 24 hours’ notice if they will not be able to fulfill their commitment
If you feel you would be unable to meet the physical demands of the opportunity, please reach out to volunteer@jfssd.org before scheduling a shift to discuss possible accommodations or alternative opportunities.
