Food Pantry Shopping Assistant

Do you have a passion for helping those in our community access healthy foods? Join MCC as a Food Pantry Shopping Assistant to ensure that those in need can access food in a warm and positive environment.

The Food Pantry Shopping Assistant plays an essential role in creating a positive and supportive shopping experience for our pantry clients. Volunteers in this position work one-on-one with clients to help them select food items, ensure their needs are met, and provide a friendly and respectful environment.

Please note that this is the first step of the volunteer application process. Before your first volunteer shift, you must complete the MCC application and have this processed with the MCC Volunteer Coordinator, Arlene Gonzalez. Generally, this process will take 1-2 business days upon your application.

Responsibilities:

• Greet all participants warmly and assist them throughout their shopping experience, helping to navigate the full-choice pantry and offering guidance on available food choices
• Treat all clients with dignity, equity, and respect; ensure privacy and confidentiality are maintained at all times.
• Effectively address participant questions(changing from “customer” because it can imply that people need to buy items), and requests, and problem-solve or escalate to staff as needed.
• Keep all shelves organized, clean, well-stocked, and properly rotated for freshness: Monitor and restock food items during pantry hours to ensure shelves are always full and organized.
• Assist in general cleanup such as breaking down boxes, wiping down shelves and surfaces, emptying trash, sweeping, etc.
• Assist food pantry staff by bagging items including fresh produce, meat, food and non-food bags, etc.
• Communicate any client needs or feedback to the Pantry staff to help improve pantry services
• Help clients box/bag items and carry their groceries to their vehicles if needed
• Participate in cleanup tasks and ensure the work environment provided is clean and debris-free at the end of the shift
• Foster a positive work environment of outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication.

Qualifications /Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent/guardian
• Participate in orientation and training
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs
• Commitment to volunteering on a regular schedule and punctuality for assigned shifts
• Positive attitude/team player, willingness to work collaboratively with a diverse team of volunteers and staff members respectfully and effectively
• Adhere to food safety guidelines safety, MCC policies
• Bilingual: Spanish/English is a plus