Food Bank Coordinator - AmeriCorps

North Helpline is proud to be a partner site for Washington Service Corps. Volunteers through this program receive a stipend, education award upon successful completion of service, training, health coverage, and childcare assistance if eligible. Currently, North Helpline is seeking three AmeriCorps members to serve our neighbors. Positions would start September 1st and continue until May 15th (8.5 months). Members who serve in these roles work directly with our neighbors to provide access to nutritious food. Members will direct volunteers to ensure operations run efficiently. These positions require members to stand for long periods and be able to lift 30lbs repetitively. Members serving in this position will need to go into a freezer and work in the warehouse which is not climate controlled. Applicants should have moderate computer abilities. Ability to speak a second language (Spanish, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Russian, Tigrinya) is highly desired.

The Food Bank Coordinator (FBC) will assist in facilitating all in-person and home delivery distributions as well as donation intake. To accomplish this, the FBC will direct volunteer teams on how to sort, categorize and distribute donated items. They will be responsible for training volunteers daily (or as needed) and consistently helping create a welcoming environment for both volunteers and clients. The FBC will also assist in sourcing foods that best meet clients’ cultural and health needs. North Helpline distributes 7,000 lbs. of food at every distribution!

Donations will need to be checked for quality and sorted into categories. The member serving in this role will ensure items are stored appropriately, which will include working in a refrigerator and freezer. This member will also manage the flow of the warehouse and ensure all areas are clean, organized and sanitary.

Driver’s License and ability to drive U-Haul-like vehicles strongly preferred. This position may occasionally be called upon to pick up donations or make deliveries when volunteers are not available

Responsibilities:

• Ensure all items donated or brought into the food bank are properly logged and that they are handled in an orderly, clean and food-safe manner;
• Partner with outside organizations to accept food donations or pack food for their use;
• Assist in monitoring food and supply inventory;
• Actively sort hygiene items and keep inventory of current stock levels;
• Direct volunteer teams on how to sort and categorize donated items;
• Manage the flow of the people and goods within the warehouse;
• Occasionally pick up donations or make deliveries
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Be organized and skilled in attention to detail
• Coordination and communication skills to facilitate working with team members
• Comfortable working in a shared, fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Commitment to building an anti-racist organization
• Moderate computer skills required (email, basic spreadsheet use, etc)
• Bi/Multilingual a plus but not required (especially Spanish, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Russian and Tigrinya)

Physical Requirements: This position will require staff members to stand for long periods of time and be able to lift 30lbs repetitively and 50 pounds occasionally. The role can be very physically demanding. Staff serving in this position will need to go into a freezer and work in the warehouse which is not climate controlled.