Volunteering with the Food Pantry
THE BURLINGTON COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
The Pantry is an all volunteer organization. The pantry is housed on the grounds of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Burlington and serves residents of the town. Currently the pantry serves 130 families and is open from 3 – 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The pantry has existed for 29 years and has seen continual growth. It is overseen by a Board of Directors comprised of community members, representatives from local congregations, a representative from the Burlington Community Life Center and a representative from the Clergy Association. Support also comes from 24 active volunteers.
Job Descriptions for Volunteer Recruiting
Sale Shoppers
The pantry needs weekly volunteers to shop at local stores for sale items. The volunteer may choose each week or only one week per month. These volunteers will receive a list from the director, contact the store to place the order, pick up the order and deliver it to the pantry. The shopper will need to pay for the order and be reimbursed upon delivery or get a check payable to the store before pick up. Delivery to be coordinated with the director.
Tuesday Bag Preparation
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 9:00am the pantry volunteers bag items from customized lists for the clients with restricted diets and clients who require deliveries. These volunteers need to be able to carry the filled bags to the shelving area. 1.5-2 hours.
Wednesday Bag Preparation
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 12:00 noon until about 2:30 the pantry volunteers bag groceries for the clients. These volunteers need to be able to carry the filled bags to the shelving area.
Grocery Pick Up/Transporters
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning at 8:30 the pantry needs volunteers to pick up a very large grocery order from Market Basket in Billerica and deliver it to the pantry. These volunteers need to be able to carry 50 pounds. They also need a large vehicle to transport the groceries and unload them at the pantry. This process usually takes from 1.5 to 2 hours.
Wednesday Shelving Prep
On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning from 9:15-10:30 the pantry needs volunteers to unpack the groceries and stock the shelves. They will also setup the produce and other items to prepare for that days distribution. Need to be able to bend and lift.
Wednesday Delivery Prep
On the 2nd Wednesday from 11:30-1:00 the pantry volunteer will bag the perishable items for that days deliveries. Carry to the delivery area.
Wednesday Deliveries
On the 2nd Wednesday from 12:45-2 pm each month volunteers deliver groceries to clients who are unable to come to the pantry. Volunteers for this must be able to carry multiple bags of groceries up a flight of stairs. They also need to provide the transportation for deliveries.
Wednesday Distribution
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 2:45 to 6:00pm the pantry uses volunteers to distribute food to the clients. This job requires standing for long periods of time. We also need volunteers on these afternoons to carry out the groceries for the clients.
Panera Pick Up
On the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 9:15pm one or two volunteers go to Panera to pick up surplus bakery items which are being donated to the pantry. The donation needs to be delivered to the pantry on Wednesday morning at 9:00 am and bagged for that days’ distribution.
Bin Pick Up
The Pantry has five donation bins which require weekly pick ups. The bins are located at the Burlington Market Basket, the Burlington Library, Shaw’s, Cambridge Savings Bank and St. Malachy’s Church. Individuals who volunteer or this job will need to pick up the contents of one or two bins each week and deliver them to the pantry. After training and screening the volunteer will have a key to the pantry and will be able to pick up and deliver whenever it is convenient. The only time the pantry will not accept delivery is on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays during distribution which is from 3pm to 6pm.
Saturday Sorting
On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 9-11 am volunteers date check and sort donated food. They also stock the shelves. This is a good job for teens as well as working adults. During the holidays, additional days and times may be added. Attention to detail is very important.
GBFB Order
The pantry places a monthly grocery order with the Greater Boston Food Bank. One volunteer is needed to be on call to place this online order at 9:15 am for four consecutive days at the beginning of each month. This volunteer will need to have access to a computer and coordinate with the director to determine the schedule and the items needed. This takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
If you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity, contact Janet Fitzgerald, Volunteer Coordinator, at jfitzgerald@peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org
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