D.C. Hunger Solutions Outreach Volunteer

Position Available

Volunteer to make a difference in the District of Columbia and help to end hunger. DC Hunger Solutions is a non-profit organization that works to end hunger by increasing access to all of the federal nutrition programs through a combination of advocacy, education, outreach, and collaboration.

Organizational Background

FRAC works to improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To attain this mission, FRAC engages in research, policy analysis and advocacy, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance and training, and an array of communications strategies. In partnership with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations, schools, and labor organizations, FRAC addresses hunger and food insecurity, and poverty as their root cause.

Founded in 2002, D.C. Hunger Solutions is a separately staffed and budgeted initiative of FRAC, seeking to end hunger in the nation’s capital.  By leveraging substantial available federal dollars and improving D.C.’s operations of federal and local nutrition programs, D.C. Hunger Solutions work has helped to feed tens of thousands of District residents struggling with hunger and has increased access to healthy, affordable food. D.C. Hunger Solutions also leads or plays a key supporting role in the efforts of the various anti-hunger and anti-poverty coalitions throughout the city (e.g., the D.C. Fair Budget Coalition, D.C. Food Policy Council, the Language Access Coalition, the Senior Advisory Coalition, and the Mayor’s Commission on Healthy Youth and Schools).  For more information on D.C. Hunger Solutions, visit: www.dchunger.org.

Responsibilities

As an outreach volunteer, you will be performing food resource triage. This role involves calling back DC residents who left us a message on our voicemail and performing a need assessment on their food resources. In many cases, callers are looking to apply for SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps. While we direct many of our callers to apply for benefits online on their own, some lack the technology or the ability to do so. To fill this gap, DC Hunger Solutions and its volunteers receive referrals from partnering organizations to assist with the SNAP application process. This role requires completion of trainings that will provide you with the knowledge to successfully assist others with applying for SNAP benefits as well as finding food resources in their area.

This role has also expanded to refer callers to partner organizations providing assistance with health benefits, rental and energy assistance, and delivery options for meals and food. Additional training and meetings are required to attend to provide volunteers with up-to-date information on protocol and policy changes.

In addition to supporting our SNAP direct service work, we are looking for volunteers to help build capacity for the federal nutrition programs in the District by serving at our in-person outreach events. This opportunity involves connecting with community members and partnering organizations to enhance awareness and increase participation in federal programs such as SNAP and WIC.

These positions are both unpaid and performed and can be performed in-person or virtually, depending on the opportunity. As a volunteer, you are an extension of our organization. We primarily work with low-income clients and expect volunteers to treat clients with dignity and respect.

Required skills

• You should be comfortable making phone calls, as this position may require phone calls to clients or to arrange outreach opportunities.
• Ability to travel and be comfortable attending in-person community events throughout the District of Columbia.
• You should be comfortable working with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and writing skills.
• Willingness to volunteer for varied hours.
• Commitment to social justice and hunger related issues is a plus.

Preferred

• Foreign language skills (reading, writing, and conversational)
• Flexible schedule
• Experience working with low-income clients or with a non-profit organization.

To Apply

Please answer the application questions and submit your resume.

FRAC is especially interested in volunteers with lived expertise with hunger or poverty who can contribute to the diversity of the organization.  FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, gender, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin.

Keywords

Outreach VolunteerHungerNutritionAdvocacySNAPFood ResourcesCommunity EventsSocial JusticeForeign LanguageNonprofit