The Nutrition Programs Assistant (NPA) is critical to the success of that goal by connecting targeted groups to healthy food through special programs. Thus, the NPA must be skilled in communicating and working with people of all ages, abilities, and walks of life. The NPA also supervises the volunteers who work in these programs. By combining outreach and volunteer management, the NPA helps build connections across age, ability, and interest, thus further integrating volunteers into the service model.
Service Activities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Product/Program Coordination:
Home Delivery:
Liaise with targeted social impact agencies to coordinate the delivery of groceries to clients
Communicate monthly with individual clients to confirm participation and dietary needs
Collaborate with Registered Dietitian in revising new clients’ dietary restrictions to ensure our menu plans adhere to such
Lead and guide volunteers through their shifts
Assist with all logistic aspects of Home Delivery including:
Ensuring dietary plans for targeted medical needs are effectively coordinated
Modifying distribution routes as client usage changes
Recruiting volunteers for program delivery day
Troubleshooting problems in the packaging and delivery process as they arise
Assisting with data collection and entry into Salesforce and Food Bank Manager
Summer Meals:
Work with Program Manager to ensure site eligibility and readiness of various community agencies (2-5 agencies)
Assist with marketing outreach process targeting potential beneficiaries
Attend all required state and local SM training and incorporate the information learned into volunteer orientation
Assist in the development of programming for each site, including partnering/collaborating with other social agencies to provide educational activities during meal times.
Coordinate data collection for the assessment/evaluation process
Surplus Project:
Assist the Program Manager with day-to-day operations of the Surplus Project.
Troubleshoot problems as they arise during daily meal deliveries
Maintain meal tracking spreadsheets for all sites
Update Surplus Project supplies inventory and work with partners to manage ordering more supplies
Social Services:
Work with Social Services Coordinator to ensure ALL walk-in clients receive the assistance they need within business and distribution hours.
Help oversee Social Services Volunteers to ensure they have all information, supplies, and clear direction to complete their shifts.
Volunteer Management:
Work with pantry staff to schedule volunteers for all programs as needed
Supervise volunteers in each of the programs
Plan and implement protocols and training for food packing and delivery for Home Delivery
Assist in the volunteer orientation/training process for Summer Meals, ensuring all agency-specific, state, and federal requirements are met
General Responsibilities:
Attend training and community meetings as approved by supervisor
Prepare program outreach document as needed in collaboration with Communication and Data Coordinator
Maintain flexibility with time, tasks, and priorities
Assume additional responsibilities as necessary or as assigned by Program Manager to accomplish the purpose and goals of the Pantry
Crossed-train with food pantry registration procedures
Community Need Addressed
Food insecurity and poor nutrition go hand in hand. For those struggling with hunger, food choices are often prioritized based on an item’s cost, not its nutritional value. Long-term effects on children experiencing hunger include lowered academic achievement, decreased emotional development, and increased health problems. In the elderly malnutrition exacerbates diseases, decreases resistance to infection, and extends hospital stays. In providing emergency hunger relief, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry aims to deliver the very items our clients need most: nutrient-dense and protein-rich foods.
Position Outcomes
Food insecurity and poor nutrition go hand in hand. For those struggling with hunger, food choices are often prioritized based on an item’s cost, not its nutritional value. Long-term effects on children experiencing hunger include lowered academic achievement, decreased emotional development, and increased health problems. In the elderly malnutrition exacerbates diseases, decreases resistance to infection, and extends hospital stays. In providing emergency hunger relief, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry aims to deliver the very items our clients need most: nutrient-dense and protein-rich foods.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem
Teamwork
Derive consensus
Decisions
Accepts responsibility
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction