Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

Warehouse/Food Rescue Driver & Helper

Purpose: The Warehouse/Food Rescue Driver & Helper volunteers are responsible for processing incoming food deliveries and keeping varieties of food stocked in the food shelf, refrigerator, and freezer.

Description of Role:

The Food Rescue Driver & Helper volunteers partner together to enhance our organization’s ability to directly impact our mission to provide food for those who need it, when they need it. Be a part of sustainability by cruising around Stillwater in the Valley Outreach box truck collecting food donated by local grocery stores to get it into the hands of people who need it most. 

Volunteer  Duties and Responsibilities: 

Drive to local grocery stores to collect food past its marketability -- but not its usability, also known as “food rescue.” Load all food into our box truck provided using a pallet jack, carts, dollies, etc. Unload and weigh all food brought back to Valley Outreach.  Follow food safety guidelines-collecting and documenting temperatures of product and handling and storing product safely (training and all equipment provided).

Volunteer Requirements and Expectations:  

All Food Rescue Drivers must provide their driver’s license and insurance and pass a background check before driving the box truck. Be comfortable driving box truck (no additional licensure required – “it’s like driving a U-Haul!”). Have a familiarity with pallet jacks OR a willingness to learn to use them. Be punctual for your volunteer shift. Follow Valley Outreach Standard of Appearance guidelines. Respect for client confidentiality, consistent with treating clients with dignity and respect. A commitment to racial equity and social justice and willingness to learn and be curious.

Physical Demands:

Able to lift, push and pull up to 60 lbs. repetitively and safely. Able to tolerate walking and standing on hard surfaces for up to 2 hours at a time. Be able to move and bend for loading and unloading food rescue.

 Time Commitment: Two times per Month 

Food Rescue driver volunteer shifts vary by the day of the week. See below for time ranges.

 Time Commitment: two times per Month

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

7am-11am

10am - 11:30am

7am - 11am

10am - 11:30am

7am – 11am

Training and Support:  

Volunteers in this position will receive initial training and ongoing support from food program staff  in addition to working closely with a volunteer partner throughout every shift.

Warehouse/Food Rescue

Purpose: The Warehouse volunteer is responsible for processing incoming food deliveries and keeping food stocked in the food shelf, refrigerator, and freezer.

Description of Role:

The role of Warehouse/Food Rescue Volunteer enhances our organization’s ability to provide food for those who need it, when they need it. Volunteers in this position can expect to receive training and ongoing support from food program staff and work alongside several fellow Warehouse Volunteers.

Volunteer Duties and Responsibilities

·        Sort, store, and distribute bulk food products that are delivered to our warehouse.

·        Follow food safety guidelines provided for each category of product and dispose properly of products that do not meet guidelines.

Take guidance and direction from Valley Outreach staff.

·        Ensure a safe working space by following all warehouse safety guidelines.

 

Volunteer Requirements and Expectations:

·        A friendly demeanor

·        A desire to serve others.

·        Be punctual for your volunteer shift.

·        Follow Valley Outreach Standard of Appearance guidelines.

·        A willingness to follow specific directions.

·        The ability to work independently and as part of a team.

·        Respect for client confidentiality, consistent with treating clients with dignity and respect.

·        A commitment to racial equity and social justice and willingness to learn and be curious.

 

Physical Demands:

·        Must be able to lift 30 pounds (or even 40–50-pound bags of produce)

·        Must be able to bend and twist to pick up items.

·        Able to tolerate walking and standing on hard surfaces for up to 3-5 hours at a time.

·        Able to bend, reach and grasp cans of food.

 Time Commitment: 3-5 hours

Warehouse volunteer shifts vary by the day of the week. See below for time ranges.

Monday

Tuesday

    Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

8am-1pm

11am - 2pm

8am - 11am

11am - 2pm

8am – 1pm

1pm - 4pm

1pm - 4pm

10am - 1pm

 

4pm-7pm

4pm-7pm

 

 

 

 

 

Training and Support:

Volunteers will receive training from the Warehouse Coordinator prior to the start of their shift. New volunteers will shadow experienced volunteers prior to working alone. All volunteers will receive training applicable to their position as needed.

StyleXchange Store Volunteer

Purpose: The StyleXchange volunteer will assist clients through the checking out process in a warm, friendly, and welcoming manner.

Description of Role:

The role of StyleXchange Volunteer enhances our organization’s ability to directly impact our mission by providing low-barrier access for clients to receive high-quality clothing in an inclusive and welcoming thrift environment—all at no cost to them! As a StyleXchange store volunteer, upholding the dignity and integrity of our clients is at the forefront of every interaction.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

·        Welcome shoppers, answer questions, and assist, as necessary.

·        Follow customer service standards established by Valley Outreach to provide equitable, dignified, and respectful treatment for all shoppers.

·        Operate a register, using our simple tablet point of sale process. Follow cash handling and credit card processing procedures.

·        Assist with other related tasks, such as cleaning, restocking, merchandising, etc.

·        Be reliable and responsible.

Key Requirements and Expectations:

·        Interest(or experience)in providing high quality customer service.

·        Comfortable using computer applications, iPad, or other tablets. 

·        Friendly demeanor.

·        Desire to serve others.

·        Be punctual for your volunteer shift.

·        Follow Valley Outreach Standard of Appearance guidelines.

·        Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

·        Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. 

·        Willingness to follow directions. 

·        Respect for client confidentiality, consistent with treating clients with dignity and respect.

·        A commitment to racial equity and social justice and willingness to learn and be curious.

Physical Demands:

·        Able to lift up to 10 lbs. repetitively and safely.

·        Able to tolerate walking and standing on hard surfaces for up to 2 - 3 hours at a time.

·        Able to bend, reach in front, above and below the waist.

Time Commitment: 2 – 3 hours

StyleXchange store volunteer shifts vary by the day of the week. See below for time ranges.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

Closed

10am-1pm

Closed

 1pm - 4pm

1pm - 4pm

1pm-4pm

 

  4pm – 7pm

4pm - 7pm

Training and Support:

StyleXchange store volunteers will receive training from the StyleXchange Manager prior to starting the position. New volunteers will shadow experienced volunteers prior to working alone. All volunteers will receive training applicable to their position as needed.

 

StyleXchange Sorting Volunteer

Purpose: The StyleXchange Sorting volunteer will assess the quality, seasonality, and usability of the clothing items that are donated.

Description of Role:

As a clothing sorting volunteer, you will process donated items and prepare them for the store floor. Providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all shoppers is our goal! You'll be making a real difference in the lives of people in need by providing low-barrier access for everyone to receive high-quality clothing for free or at a low cost in our thrift store. 

Volunteer Duties and responsibilities.

·        Understand and abide by quality standards set by Valley Outreach to ensure positive client experience. Consider quality and seasonality, understand what "usable condition" means, and center the dignity of shoppers.

·        Work independently and use decision-making skills to effectively sort, select, and evaluate donated goods in line with our quality standards, using "Keep - Pass - Shred " sorting process.

·        Follow established processes for organizing, tagging, and properly adding items into inventory to prepare them for the store floor.

·        Maintain area cleanliness and organization.

Volunteer Requirements and Expectations

·        Friendly demeanor.

·        Desire to serve others.

·        Be punctual for your volunteer shift.

·        Follow Valley Outreach Standard of Appearance guidelines.

·        Willingness to follow directions, including verbal, written, and posted signage.

·        Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

·        Respect for client confidentiality, consistent with treating clients with dignity and respect.

·        A commitment to racial equity and social justice and willingness to learn and be curious.

Physical Demands:

·        Able to lift up to 15 lbs. repetitively and safely.

·        Able to tolerate walking and standing on hard surfaces for up to 2 hours at a time.

·        Able to bend, reach in front, above and below the waist.

Time Commitment: 2-3 hours

StyleXchange sorting volunteer shifts vary by the day of the week. See below for time ranges.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9am-12pm

11am – 1pm

8am - 11am

11am – 1pm

9am-12pm

1pm-4pm

1pm-4pm

 

Training and Support:

Clothes sorter volunteers will receive training from the StyleXchange Manager prior to starting the position. New volunteers will shadow experienced volunteers prior to working alone. All volunteers will receive training applicable to their position as needed.

Intake Volunteer

Purpose: The Intake Volunteer is responsible for checking -in new and existing clients prior to receiving services. 

Description of Role:

The role of Intake Volunteer enhances our organization’s ability to provide compassionate, thoughtful, energetic, and focused interaction directly with clients who use our services. As an Intake volunteer, you will have the opportunity to provide the type of warm, welcoming first impression that communicates our commitment to our values of equity and inclusion. No experience necessary and fluency in Spanish or Karen languages is a plus!         

Volunteer duties and responsibilities

Greet clients. Accurately enter client information into our database. Maintain client confidentiality. Seek support of staff for unusual challenges.  Address client questions and provide information.  Other duties as assigned. 

Volunteer Requirements and Expectations

Must be comfortable with computer applications. Friendly demeanor. Desire to serve others. Basic computer skills. Legible handwriting. Willingness to follow directions. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.  Basic knowledge of computer and data entry. Commitment to racial equity and social justice and willingness to learn and be curious.

Physical Demands:

Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.

Time Commitment: two times per Month

Time commitment varies depending on volunteer availability. A typical shift is 3 hours, once a week. If unable to commit to a regular weekly shift, volunteers can also opt to be placed on substitution list to be called whenever there is a volunteer absence.

 

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

9am-12:30pm

1pm-4pm

1pm-4pm

9am-12:30pm

 

4pm-6:30pm

4pm-6:30pm

 

 

Training and Support:

Intake volunteers will receive an orientation from the Client Support Services Manager prior to stating the position. New volunteers will shadow experienced Intake volunteers prior to working alone. All volunteers will receive as needed training applicable to their position.

Food Shelf Volunteer

Purpose: The Food Shelf volunteer is responsible for providing clients with great customer service while creating a positive and welcoming environment in the Food Shelf.

Description of Role:

The role of Food Shelf volunteer enhances our organization’s ability to destigmatize the food shelf shopping experience by providing great customer service to clients shopping in the food shelf. By demonstrating our organization’s values, volunteers will employ empathy and understanding as well as practicing non-judgement and inclusion to foster a welcoming environment. Volunteers in this position will receive initial training and ongoing support from food program staff and work alongside several fellow Food Shelf Volunteers.

Volunteer Duties and Responsibilities

Roles included: Scale attendant, Aisle attendants, Personal care/household items attendant.

Greeting clients Explain any item limits and answer any questions. Maintain area cleanliness and organization. Notify staff when additional items are needed for restocking. Notify staff before leaving your station.

Volunteer Requirements and Expectations:

A desire to serve others. Be punctual for your volunteer shift. Follow Valley Outreach Standard of Appearance guidelines. A willingness to follow specific directions. The ability to work independently and as part of a team. Willingness to work and speak directly with clients throughout the shift. Maintain a friendly and approachable demeanor. Patience and a desire to serve others. Respect for client confidentiality, consistent with treating clients with dignity and respect. A commitment to racial equity and social justice and a willingness to learn and be curious.

Physical Demands:

Able to tolerate walking and standing on hard surfaces for 3-4 hours at a time. Able to bend, reach in front, above and below the waist. Some volunteers may be tasked with stocking products in boxes (up to 15 pounds).

Time Commitment: 3-4 hours

Food Shelf volunteer shifts vary by the day of the week. See below for time ranges.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9am-1pm

1pm-4pm

Closed

1pm-4pm

9-1pm

 

4pm-7pm

4pm-7pm

 

Training and Support:

The Food Shelf volunteer will receive training from the Food Program Assistant or experienced volunteer prior to working the position alone. All volunteers will receive training applicable to their position as needed.