Volunteering at Open Arms Ministry Food Pantry

Save to Favorites

Role: Food Pantry Support

Mission: Open Arms Food Pantry provides grocery items to individuals and families struggling with food insecurity and/or homelessness. Even more than providing food, the pantry also provides helpful resources for guests such as SNAP (food stamps) application information, locations of other food pantries in the area, seasonal free food programs, and free recipes.

Objective: The Food Pantry support role is a cross-functional position that ensures that the activities of the Food Pantry run effectively and efficiently. Volunteers may be engaged in a number of activities, serving where the need is greatest. This will include support with set up of the pantry, assisting guests during the pantry, and closing/clean-up of the pantry. Food Pantry support should anticipate need and adapt in a fluid environment.

General responsibilities include:

• Organization of food delivery received from GCFD to include organizing incoming food on food pantry portable shelves as well as storing overflow food in pantry storage room.
• Store all frozen/refrigerated food delivery items in proper locations.
• Bag bread and set up of bread display at the pantry.
• Set up of tables/chairs and beverage/snack table.
• Set up and restock portable pantry shelves.
• Organize the produce display.
• Assist at registration table.
• Greet and assist pantry guests with food selection.
• Assist pantry guests as they exit with their bags of groceries.
• Breakdown and disposal of boxes.
• Restock/organize pantry shelves/clean up.
• Help with transport of leftover food to another pantry as needed.
• Build relationships with the people served.

Skills and attributes sought for this role include:

• Love and care for those in need and a desire to see individuals succeed.
• Flexibility and consistency.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to take direction as appropriate.
• Ability to respond appropriately in tense or uncomfortable situations.
• Initiative and ability to spot needs.
• Ability to speak Spanish and/or Polish (NOT required).
• Basic computer skills.

Need and Time commitment

• Wednesdays 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm (at least 1-2 hour shifts within this time frame)

Role Requirements

• Any volunteers under 18 must be accompanies by a parent or guardian.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Food Pantry, please click the following link to complete our volunteer application: https://secure.lglforms.com/ form_engine/s/ Vze6ssLaFzPojhn6EZbx4g