Volunteer with FOCUS

Every day the Pantry is operating, it takes a minimum of three (3) volunteers to help guests check in, and pack and distribute food to guests. Volunteers may also help guests enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At other times, volunteers are needed at other times to pick up food from the Regional Food Bank, unload deliveries, and keep data and paperwork up-to-date.  Some volunteer positions at the Pantry include:

CHECKING-IN VOLUNTEER (1 per day)
​Help guests get started by checking proof of current address, necessary ID, or other documents. Make sure each guest has a “Food Choice Sheet” to start their visit with food packers.

​FOOD CHOICE VOLUNTEER (1 per day)
​Help guests decide what food they want from available selections and clearly mark them on the “Food Choice Sheet”. They may also obtain some personal care items. If there are young children, diapers, baby food, or formula is offered.  

​PRODUCE & BREAD VOLUNTEER (1 per day)
​Assist guest with the available selections for that day. 

​PACKING VOLUNTEER (1 per day)
Packers put together bags of food based on guest choices indicated on the “Food Choice Sheet”.  Amounts provided are based on family size and state and federal guidelines.

DRIVER (1-2 days per week/varies)
Pick up food supplies from the Regional Food Bank (90 minutes round trip from FOCUS).

​Additional Food Pantry Information Including: Food Handling, Guest Relations, Parking, and more here. 

Civil Right Training Manual: All FOCUS food program staff and volunteers are required to read through, and confirm their review by signing the log at the FOCUS Food Pantry. This is a Regional Food Bank requirement that must be adhered to. Read the Civil Rights Training Manual here.   

Breakfast Program Roles & Responsibilities

• COOKS (Winter Breakfast; 2 per day): Prepare hot meal and side dishes (oatmeal/grits, meat). Cleans Griddle.

• DISHWASHER (1 per day): Loads and empties dishwasher, runs disposal, helps wash pots. Must receive “dishwashing 101” training prior to use.

• SERVERS (3 per day): Take hot meal orders from guests, serve hot meals, remind guests to bus their dishes when finished, encourage guests to move to side chairs after meal in order to free up table for those who haven’t eaten yet.

• COFFEE MAKER (1 per day): Makes continuous pots of coffee, replenishes pots in the dining room when needed. Brings clean dishes/silverware out to Fellowship Hall.

• LUNCH MAKERS Make sandwiches and prepare lunch bags with assorted items, according to the direction of the Food Manager. Guests may take ONE lunch per person and are asked to sign the lunch list. Guests may not take lunches for others who are not present.

• FLOATERS Keep side tables clean, refill items on serving tables, clean up spills, wrap utensils, and other tasks as assigned by the Breakfast Coordinator.

• CLEANUP We ask everyone to pitch in! Kitchen cleaning, reconfiguring the hall as needed, and breaking down boxes.

• SUBSTITUTES Volunteers who are not on the regular schedule but who can fill-in from time to time. DRIVERS Volunteers who do food pickup at the Regional Food Bank and deliver to the church.

Please call the FOCUS office at 518-443-0460 if you would like to help with occasional mail campaigns, data entry, or other tasks. 

Do you like to organize events? Meet and greet new people? FOCUS hosts programs and events throughout the year. Call the FOCUS office @ 518-443-0460 to show your interest.