Policies and Procedures

Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions

General Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions & Contact Information

GROUPS:

We are delighted to host groups at Second Harvest. Volunteering with the food bank is a great activity for schools, business, civic, or religious groups. Please follow our guidelines to ensure a rewarding experience for all.

All groups must schedule their volunteer shifts ahead of time. With the size ofyour group, age of participants if under the age of 18 and your preferencewhen you would like to volunteer.

Our Saturday sort slots full up quickly, we recommend contacting us at leasttwo months in advance having more than one date in mind.

During the week we have more flexibility to accommodate your group, we stillrecommend contacting us two months in advance with more than one date inmind.

Group Chaperones/Supervisors: Chaperones/supervisors are responsible for keeping youth volunteers on task and for helping to maintain appropriate behavior.

Group Size: Second Harvest is able to accommodate up to 30 in a group during the week and up to 40 on Saturday sort.

Notifications: Please notify upon arrival or for any cancellations or change in schedule: Jael@thefoodbank.org or call 831-232-8141.

Orientation and Training: Will be provided for all youth volunteers. A general orientation to SHFB training specific to your position will be provided by the supervisor of the volunteer position.

YOUTH

Volunteering is a wonderful way for students and children to learn about the Food Bank and hunger in our community.

Youth ages 8-17 who wish to volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) are required to have written parental permission. The SHFB Volunteer Services Manager must also pre-approve all youth volunteers and their duties and is responsible to assure that this policy observed.

Policies & Procedures

Programs For Youth: Ages 8-13: May volunteer for Community Food Sorts (currently on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.) Ages 14-17: May volunteer for SHFB in the office and/or for warehouse duties during any regular volunteer hours. Age Guidelines for Youth:

Volunteers 18 and older can volunteer during any regular hours.

Volunteers ages 14 to 17 can volunteer during any regular hours with parent/guardian authorization.

Children ages 8 to 13 can participate at our Saturday food sorts with a parent or guardian.Chaperone/Supervision Ratio: The ratio of Chaperones/Supervisors for youth volunteers ages 8-10 is 1 to 1, and for youth volunteers ages 11-13 is 1 adult for every 5 youth. For youth volunteers 14 & up no adult supervision is required.

Individuals: Every extra set of hands make a huge difference in our community!

Individuals who volunteer on a regular basis make up the back-bone of our ability to feed hope to the community. You may be an individual when you sign up, but once you are here you become part of the volunteer family.

Community Service: The Food Bank welcomes volunteer needing to complete

community service hours.

The Food Bank offers community service hours for lawyer recommended services,court referral, probation, housing authority, tattoo removal, Sheriff Work ReleaseProgram, CalWorks and students.

All individuals interested in community service hours must contact us with yourpreferred date or dates to volunteer.

Individuals 8 to 13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times in order to participate.

Contact Information:

Jael Salinas, Volunteer Program Manager Phone: 831-232-8141

Email: jael@thefoodbank.org800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076

Sign up online: www.thefoodbank.org/volunteer

Policies and Procedures Continued

John Kovarik, Volunteer of the Month

Warehouse Perfect for groups and individuals! Tasks include sorting and packing produce bags and bulk food items.

Saturday Sorts Perfect for groups or individuals! Volunteers help pack USDA commodity bags and other tasks as needed in the warehouse.

Distribution Area Great opportunity for individuals! We looking for individuals to volunteer on a regular basis and also act as back-up when extra help is needed. This role involves interacting with our Agency Partner shoppers, weighing and stocking food, and assisting with organizing the area.

Food Drive Organizer Organize a food drive at your office, church or in your community.

Special Events Perfect for groups or individuals! Directed by our Development team, volunteers assist staff with special food and fundraising events, such as Hunger Hoedown, Chef’s Dinner, Annual Holiday Food Drive Kick-Off and more.

Food for Children Program Assist in registration and distribution of food at one of our 51 Food for Children sites. This role involves interaction with clients and their families, sharing of nutrition information, and help with cooking and physical activity demonstrations.

Passion for Produce Program Train to be a Nutrition Ambassador! Nutrition Ambassadors facilitate nutrition education and fresh produce distribution through the Second Harvest peer led Passion For Produce classes. Individuals encourage and train clients on healthy eating, physical activity and getting others involved in supporting a healthy lifestyle.

Office/Clerical work Assist Hotline Outreach Coordinator answering phone calls, walk-in-clients, data entry, envelope addressing, and general clerical.

Facility Maintenance/Custodial Maintains a clean warehouse and office facility to assure workplace and food safety. Keeps detailed records of cleaning and maintenance activities performed for audit purposes. Supports the vision and mission of Second Harvest, facilitates both internal and external communication, and demonstrates a service-oriented work ethic that promotes teamwork.

Schedule:

Warehouse: Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Saturday Sorts: Every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Distribution Area: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Food Drive Organizer: Anytime

Special Events: Varies based on specific event dates and needs

Food for Children Program: Tuesday-Friday times and location very, no more than one hour per site.

Passion for Produce Program: Tuesday-Friday times and location very, no more than two hour per site.

Office/Clerical work: Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Facility Maintenance/Janitor: Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. or from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions

Warehouse Dress & Safety Guidelines

The Food Bank aims to create a fun and safe environment for our volunteers at our warehouse. Please familiarize yourself with the rules and recommendations for working at the warehouse.

Closed toe shoes are required. Volunteers (including chaperones) who don not wear closed toed shoes will not be permittedin the warehouse.

Volunteers may not use any motorized equipment (forklifts or electric pallet jacks) and may only use manual equipment(manual pallet jacks ) without proper training.

Food or drinks other than water are not allowed on the warehouse floor.

Please do not use phones (even for texting) while working in the warehouse.

Youth volunteers may not operate or work around the following equipment:

Vehicles: may not operate, load and/or unload fleet trucks and/or forklifts; may not transport other SHFB volunteers in anyvehicle or any other equipment, not listed here, but prohibited by law, statute or local ordinance.

Accidents: If an accident does occur, report ALL the INFORMATION to your supervisor IMMEDIATELY!

Age Guidelines

Volunteers 18 and older can volunteer during any of our regular hours.

Volunteers ages 14 to 17 can volunteer during any of our regular hours with parent/guardian authorization.

Children ages 8 to 13 can participate at our Saturday food sorts with a parent or guardian.

Parking Parking is available anywhere along Ohlone Parkway. The Second Harvest parking lot area inside the fence is reserved during

the week. Parking in the lot is permitted on weekends only.

Contact Information:

Jael Salinas, Volunteer Program ManagerPhone: 831-232-8141

Email: jael@thefoodbank.org800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076

Sign up online: www.thefoodbank.org/volunteer

General Guidelines

Can I sign up online?

Yes! Please go to www.thefoodbank.org/volunteer

Can I bring a group to volunteer?

Second Harvest Food Bank welcomes groups to volunteer at our warehouse! We require groups to sign up in advance. We recom-

mend that groups schedule at least 2 months in advance and have more than one date in mind when booking.

What are the age requirements?

Anyone 14 years and older can serve during any of our regular volunteer hours . Youth ages 8 years to 13 years can volunteer at

our Saturday sorts as long as they have a parent/guardian with them at all times.

Can high school or college students volunteer to meet service hour requirements?

Absolutely! Students who are in need of service hours are welcome to volunteer during normal volunteer hours. Students the ages

Upon arrival please let Rosario Valerio or Silvia Mamolejo if the student will need documentation for the hours contributed.

Do you accept court-related community service volunteers?

The Food Bank welcomes volunteers needing to complete court-related community services hours.

Where can I park?

Volunteers can park along the street on Ohlone Parkway. Please pay attention to parking signs and do not park in the lots of nearby

businesses.

Do I have to wear closed toed shoes if I am just chaperone?

Yes. Anyone inside the warehouse needs to wear close toed shoes as required by OSHA.

What is your address?

800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076

Can I bring my purse in?

We do not have a place to store valuables and recommend you make other arrangements to secure these items.

Can I leave early from a session?

Volunteers are expected to stay for the time they have scheduled unless an emergency or illness arises.

Contact Information:

Jael Salinas, Volunteer Program ManagerPhone: 831-232-8141

Email: jael@thefoodbank.org800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076

Sign up online: www.thefoodbank.org/volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions