Food Bank Assistant

**Position**:Food Programs Assistant (16-week contract with possibility of extension)

Must be able to start in the first two weeks of May

**Salary/Hours**: $17.20/hr for 35 hrs/week - with some evening and weekend availability

**Location**:75% In-person, 25% Virtual

**Reports to**: Food Programs Coordinator

**Position Summary**: Are you passionate about food justice, community care, and making a real difference in people’s lives? Join our team at NeighbourLink North York as a **Food Programs Assistant** and help bring dignity, warmth, and support to neighbours through innovative food access programs. You’ll work alongside a dynamic team to run 2 food banks, a weekly veggie distribution, and a mobile food delivery service, all while growing your leadership, communication, and project coordination skills.

**Responsibilities**:
**Food Program Coordination (75%)**
- Assist with the preparation, execution, record-keeping and evaluation of NeighbourLink’s food programs.
- Assist with establishing respect and dignity in all food program areas, including ensuring information confidentiality and creating a welcoming, respectful and engaging environment for clients and volunteers.
- Learn about and support in development of program procedures and guidelines for the various food programs, including logistics, safe food handling practices, and compliance with all regulatory health and safety requirements.
- Coordinate with volunteers and clients in the lead-up to programs as needed.
- Assist with the logístical preparation of each food program utilizing the Google Workspace (Sheets, Drive, Docs, etc.)
- Keep notes on client engagement and record statistics after each food distribution.
- Draft program policy and communications documents for the revision of the Food Programs Coordinator.
- Assist in the preparation of food distribution space, including the proper storage of non-perishable foods and equipment.
- Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure best practices are integrated into volunteer training and orientation, and help volunteers execute their roles to these standards.

**Outreach and Communications (25%)**
- Engage with community partners, including churches, supporting organizations, local businesses, schools, and neighbours to help the sustainability of the 415 Food Hub, including but not limited to actively seeking and securing funding, food donations and logístical support.
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Events Manager to create content for our stakeholders and donors and identify strategies and next steps to increase community engagement.
- Engage with the community and support major community events when necessary, including postering sessions with volunteers to promote an event.
- Collectively lead Food Hub meetings with lead volunteers.
- Participate in weekly in-person team meetings as required.
- Assists in workshops, outreach and community events representing NeighbourLink’s caring, engaged, and welcoming attitude.
- Collaborate with the Community Care Team to provide appropriate support and develop individual plans for clients who require assistance beyond NeighbourLink’s food programs, including providing additional information and referrals to other food banks and community services.

**Qualifications**:

- Post-secondary education in social work, community services work or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Organized, efficient, and comfortable with spreadsheets and logístical planning
- A heart for community development, equity, and working with people from all walks of life
- Commitment to working for and with low-income people and diverse cultural groups and to the principles of anti-oppression, diversity and social justice work
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues surrounding food security and poverty
- Strong understanding of and commitment to inclusivity
- Experience with vulnerable populations or in non-profits is a bonus.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, time management and organizational skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
- Able to multitask and demonstrate flexibility in taking on new tasks as they arise
- A vulnerable sector screening is required as part of the hiring process
- CPR/First Aid and Food Handler certification is considered an asset
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as required
- Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs without assistance
- G2/G Driver's Licence required

**About Us**: NeighbourLink North York is a Christian community development organization based in Willowdale, North York. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Our mission is to engage and empower neighbours to care for each other in practical, relational, and sustainable ways that give everyone the opportunity to live out their potential. As a Christian organization, we integrate spiritual practices, including silence, contemplation,