Caridad Community Kitchen is looking for long-term volunteers to join our team in distributing prepared Grab & Go Meals and personal care supplies to the community. Our team is looking for volunteers who can join us on a weekly basis & are excited to work directly with the community.
Prior to volunteering, staff will lead volunteers in guided training exercises, email us at caridad@communityfoodbank.org to inquire about availability & training!
Volunteers partner with Caridad staff to distribute meals. Meal distribution takes place in a covered area outside and community members walk up to receive meals. Volunteers will always have a staff member available to support them during their shift and will often be working directly alongside staff.
This volunteer opportunity works directly with the public. Meal service takes place outdoors & masks are optional. KN95 mask are available but not required.
Tasks
- Gather and set up grab & go meals and distribution supplies.
- Distribute meals and personal supplies to guests while also providing excellent customer service
- Examples of personal supplies include face masks, hygiene items such as soap, safer sex materials, socks and underwear, Naloxone kits - the opioid overdose reversal medicine, clean syringes & injection safety supplies, and many more.
- Distribute print materials with additional resources for clients as requested.
- Treat all clients with dignity and respect, while adhering to Caridad Community Kitchen’s safety & food distribution guidelines.
- Organize products for distribution, as time allows.
Ideal candidate qualifications
- Comfortable working directly with community members who may be experiencing a wide range of hardships, including homelessness, substance use disorders, and behavioral health issues.
- Excellent oral communication skills.
- An organized, self-starter with the ability to work independently.
- Able to lift between 30-40 pounds.
- Able to stand for 3 hours.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred but not required).
Dress code
- Closed-toe shoes
- Short or long sleeve shirts
- Attire appropriate for representing the Community Food Bank to the community
Our dress code helps us keep both our volunteers and our food safe! This volunteer opportunity involves working outdoors or through an open door or window.
We have lockers and locks for storage of any items while volunteers are here in our space.
Pandemic Safety Measures
Self-Monitoring: Do not arrive to our volunteer shift if you are not feeling well, especially if you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to COVID19. This extends to anyone you have had sustained close contact with. For an up to date list of symptoms created by COVID19, click here.
Illness & COVID19 Exposure Policy: Out of an abundance of caution we are asking any volunteer who feels ill to stay home for 2 weeks. If the illness is due to a certain & known cause (such as allergies, medication, etc.) this policy can be disregarded. If any volunteer has been exposed to COVID19, we ask that they remain home until a COVID19 negative test result is received by the volunteer.
Face Coverings: Face coverings are optional while indoors on CFB property & during CFB activities. If you would like a KN95 mask for extra protection during your shift, please let us know. (Updated 3/21/2022)
Practice Social Distancing: (This position has the option of working alone with plenty of space in our classroom & conference room.) During your shift, please be conscious of how close you are to staff & other volunteers. Do your best to keep a 6-foot distance between you and everyone else, even when we are all wearing masks. We set up our work spaces to allow for space between volunteers, but it can be easy to slip up when we get "in the zone"!
What our staff are doing: All CFB staff self-monitor for COVID19 symptoms, take their temperatures before beginning work, and set up work spaces to practice social distancing throughout the day. Our staff sanitize commonly touched surfaces every hour, including internal and external doorknobs & handles. Surfaces in areas designated for eating and drinking are sanitized after each use & the air is flushed from this room 3 times a day. We have single use drinks as well as single-use plates & utensils available for meals and breaks.
Guidelines for Volunteer Health & Food Safety
These Health and Food Safety Guidelines encourage practices and behaviors that can help prevent individuals from spreading illnesses and/or foodborne pathogens to food. Health & food safety is of the highest important to us. Our meals are serving community members who may be experiencing a compromised immune systems and potentially lack regular access to medical care.
If you have a sore throat, fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, please do not come to our facility until more than 24 hours have passed since your last symptoms have subsided. Please do not arrive for your volunteer shift. If you are feeling unwell, reach out to our volunteer coordinator by phone or email. And don't worry! While we rely on and love to have our volunteers with us in person, your health is more important!
If you have been diagnosed with a contagious disease that can be transferred via food AND you have worked at the Caridad Community Kitchen, please notify our volunteer coordinator. Our highest priority is everyone's safety & we practice respect, trust, and discretion when discussing sensitive information.
Location, Parking, & Contact Information
Caridad Community Kitchen is located at:
845 N Main Ave.Tucson, AZ 85705Parking: We have a small parking lot located to the south of our building (enter via Main Ave.) and street parking is available on our cross street, 2nd Street. If you are arriving via bike, we have bike hanging available indoors.
Contact Information: For any questions, please see our contact information on our Caridad Community Kitchen location page! All communications can also be sent to caridad@communityfoodbank.org and phone calls can be directed to our main number at 520-882-5641.
