AmeriCorps Community Product Partnerships Member (PAID)

Company: St. Louis Area Foodbank
Location: Saint Louis
Posted on: March 18, 2023

Job Description:

Program Purpose: The St. Louis Area Foodbank has identified interventions related to COVID-19 recovery that will respond to the need and advance the organization's mission of building stronger communities by empowering people with food and hope. AmeriCorps Members will expand access to nutritious food, and aid in the recovery of the community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization will complete this through a combination of food access interventions-including public benefits outreach, sourcing food donations, improving the client intake process, and strengthening community relationships. Each of the efforts will be supported by AmeriCorps Members. The outcome of these actions will be to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and program reach of the Foodbank's network of partner agencies, as well as increasing the number of individuals who report increased food security.

Program Impact: Building a stronger bi-state region by nourishing people, empowering communities and transforming systems.
Service Position Summary: The Product Partnerships Member supports St. Louis Area Foodbank's Product Acquisition department. The member will actively solicit food drive partners and organize community product collection events within the Foodbank's service territory with a goal of at least 50 organized food drives over the course of the year. The member will interface with department leads to develop their own strategic plan leading up to their planned events, providing a Foodbank presence in the community. The member will manage their own event budget, collaborate in planning sessions, coordinate logistics, and manage relationships.

Essential Functions of Position: The St. Louis Area Foodbank has determined that the probability of access to vulnerable populations is so great that all members will undergo all required criminal history checks: NSOPW, FBI, and Missouri State Police, as well as other states, as necessary. Must be able to successfully pass pre-placement drug screening and have a clean driving record.

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• Solicit new Foodbank sponsored event partners by use of Email, Phone, and in-person visits.
  
• Educate food drive event participants on the Foodbank mission and serve as an ambassador.
  
• Attend food drive events as an in-person community ambassador at schools, camps, organizations, etc.
  
• Promote community product partners through media, photos, and social media.
  
• The member is required to attend monthly touch base with supervisor to review monthly pounds solicitated results, list of organizations solicited, and provide an update on progress towards goal.
  
• In coordination with Partner Relationship Coordinators, work directly with partner pantries, work directly with partner pantries to determine product needs and create a strategy to source necessary items through an organized drive.
  
• Research and network with community stakeholders through various platforms such as community events, tabling / booth opportunities and other appropriate social gatherings to better understand specific community needs and create opportunities for acquiring food.
  
• Recruit and engage volunteers in community food drive events.
  
• Additional service projects, as approved by the program director.
  
• Leverage at least 5 additional non-AmeriCorps volunteers to serve alongside Members in order to increase the impact of the program and build sustainability in the community.
  
  
  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
  
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  • Understanding the life cycle of a project from conception to completion.
    
  • Self-awareness and the ability to adapt in different community environments.
    
  • Experience with running an event from conception to completion.
    
  • Proficient with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other web-based applications.
    
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
    
  • Ability to work cooperatively and independently with different types of personalities.
    
  • Able to lead a team of volunteers.
    
  • Must be able to lift up to 25 LBS of boxes on and off a truck, and push food drive barrels at events.
    
  • Ability to display a confidence when engaging with community partners.
    
  • Ability to safely maneuver a motor vehicle.
    
  • Experience preferred and comfortable with attaching, detaching and towing 7' x 16' trailer. (Orientation provided)
    
  • Experience preferred and comfortable driving a 17' box truck and operating lift gate. (Orientation provided)
    
    Eligibility: An AmeriCorps participant must: be at least 17 years of age at commencement of service; be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria. Due to the nature of this position, SLAFB requires a minimum age of 21.
    
    Academic and Experience Qualifications: At minimum, have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Must provide valid driver's license and proof of current personal vehicle insurance. Members must have completed at least an Associate College Degree or at least 2 years in a nonprofit or event role.
    
    Commitment Required: This position requires a minimum of 1,720 hours of service during a period of not more than one year. Generally, members are expected to serve a minimum of 35 hours per week. While general work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, workdays may differ due to project demands. Start dates are flexible. End date will be no more than 365 days after start date. Members will be expected to participate as a team in MCSC AmeriCorps Opening Day in Jefferson City and in at least 3 local national service days (9/11 Day of Remembrance, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, AmeriCorps Week).
    Orientation and training provided.
    AmeriCorps Program Benefits:
    
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    • Living allowance stipend: Members will receive a total allowance of up to $18,880 depending on term of service.
      
    • Education award: Members may receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award in the amount of up to $6,495 upon successful completion of their term of service in accordance with the Member Service Agreement. (Award subject to federal and possible state tax in the year each payment is made.) Members that are at least 55 years of age at the start of service may transfer their award to a child, stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild or foster child.
      
    • Additional benefits may include access to healthcare, childcare, and other benefits.
      
      

Keywords: St. Louis Area Foodbank, St. Louis , AmeriCorps Community Product Partnerships Member (PAID), Other , Saint Louis, Missouri