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WHY- National Hunger Hotline: WHY is a leading advocate for innovative, community-based solutions to hunger and poverty. WHY challenges society to confront these problems by advancing models that create self-reliance, economic justice, and equal access to nutritious and affordable food. The National Hunger Hotline is one of the services provided by WHY. Every year, we receive thousands of telephone calls to our National Hunger Hotline. Our trained staff connects individuals in need to emergency food, government programs, and community services in their own communities through our extensive network of community-based organizations.

Need: A motivated and passionate person who is looking to gain invaluable experience working in the social service field, specifically hunger and poverty by responding to calls received by the National Hunger Hotline.

Volunteer Tasks: The National Hunger Hotline (NHH) Volunteer will be trained to respond to calls we receive on the National Hunger Hotline. The NHH Volunteer will assess the needs of the caller in order to provide information and referrals to emergency food programs, government programs, and other social services. The NHH Volunteer will be responsible for documenting calls in our database.

Skills: People looking to explore their interest in domestic hunger and poverty issues would be well suited for this opportunity. Ideal candidate will be a good listener who can empathize with our callers. The NHH Volunteer should be comfortable speaking on the phone and with data entry. The NHH Volunteer should have proficiency in Microsoft Word and Access. This volunteer opportunity requires someone who is detail oriented and works well in a team environment as well as independently.

Qualifications:
•Experience working for anti-hunger or poverty organizations, preferred
•Excellent writing and oral communication skills
•Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and prior experience working with databases, preferred


Benefits:
•Develop familiarity with Federal Food and Nutrition programs and grassroots hunger and poverty agencies available across the country.
•Exposure to everyday situations facing low-income people
•Play a part in discussions concerning issues effecting low-income people
•Experience in speaking with many different populations across the country.

Time Requirements: NHH requires a volunteer to provide a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 hours per week of service. The Hotline’s hours of operation are M-F from 9am-5pm.

Reporting Requirements: The NHH Volunteer would report directly to the National Hunger Clearinghouse Program Director.

To apply, email cover letter and resume to Patricia at NHC@whyhunger.org or fax to 212-465-9274.