Community Empowerment Collaboration: Food Pantry Delivery Support Volunteer

Food Pantry Delivery Support Volunteer Job Description

Shorefront Jewish Community Council (SJCC) provides support to help meet the human and social services needs of the indigent elderly, vocationally disadvantaged poor, and immigrant populations of Brighton Beach and surrounding communities. SJCC’s main services include case management, operation of a large food pantry, and immigration services. A significant portion of our clients are Russian-speaking older adults, including Holocaust survivors. SJCC additionally fosters neighborhood stabilization to support the needs of the wider community.

Description

Food Pantry Delivery Support Volunteers play an essential role in ensuring that SJCC’s food pantry remains stocked, organized, and ready to serve community members experiencing food insecurity. Volunteers are responsible for assisting with delivery days, including unloading pallets, transporting goods within the building, and restocking shelves and storage areas. This position is hands-on, fast-paced, and vital to the smooth operation of the pantry.

Volunteers will receive orientation and on-site instruction on proper lifting techniques, food handling guidelines, and pantry organization procedures.

Responsibilities

• Unload and unpack pallets of food from delivery trucks.
• Transfer boxes and goods onto hand trucks and transport them through the building, including via the elevator.
• Move food into the designated warehouse and storage areas.
• Stock pantry shelves and organize food items by category as directed.
• Unpack, sort, and place items in appropriate locations to support efficient distribution.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized workspace.
• Follow SJCC guidelines for safety, lifting, and food handling.
• Assist pantry staff with additional tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Ability to lift, carry, and move boxes of varying weights (typically 10–50 lbs.).
• Comfortable with physical, fast-paced work.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Positive attitude and enthusiasm for supporting community food access.
• Willingness to follow safety guidelines and instructions.
• Russian-language skills optional but helpful.

Hours

Volunteer hours vary based on organizational needs. Typical shifts last 3–6 hours. Volunteers may participate once weekly or as their schedule allows.

To Apply

Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@shorefrontjcc.org or 718-743-0575, ext. 7506 with all questions. Interested volunteers should complete the volunteer application available on the Shorefront JCC website.