Care-n-Share Food Pantry Volunteer Handbook
Thank you for volunteering with the Care-n-Share Food Pantry!!! We are a completely volunteer organization that has been serving the community since December of 2010. We rely on volunteers to help us operate the food pantry and generous donors to assist us with operational costs. We abide by the guidelines set by The Food Bank of Western New York. This handbook should be a reference for you but you can also learn about us through our website: carensharefoodpantry.com and Facebook Page: Care-n-Share Food Pantry THANK YOU again, for your support of Care-n-Share!
About Care-n-Share Food Pantry Located at: 3628 Ransomville Road, Ransomville Operating Hours: Thursdays 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Saturdays 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Serving the needs of people in Youngstown, Lewiston, Porter, Ransomville, Sanborn and parts of Wilson. Checks should be sent to ICS Inc or Care-n-Share PO Box 401 Ransomville, NY 14131 We are a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit under our Parent Organization of Inter-Community Services or ICS Inc. If you are unable to make your shift, please contact Volunteer Coordinator: Ellie Murphy 628-0409
Volunteer Information Every volunteer must provide the following: Name Address Phone Emergency contact # of days available As a volunteer you are responsible for forms relevant to the process such as: Confidential Client Information Forms Inventory Forms Food Allotments Expiration Log Temperature Log for Food Freezer Log As well as stocking/restocking shelves
Verifying Clients (Please note: it is our policy that no one is turned away the first time they visit the food pantry regardless of proper ID.) The following documentation is needed to verify a client: Volunteers should place their initials on the forms that they process. Proof of ID for everyone in the household (license, birth certificate, picture ID) Proof of residence (utility bill, rental agreement, driver s license with correct address) Proof of income (Social security statements, DSS award letters, pay stubs) When verifying IDs DO NOT write down numbers (ie: social security or Driver s License) Only the amount of income ***And please be mindful that this is private and confidential information***
Explain to clients: Food allotments are allowed once a month, please take your full allotment! You cannot come back within the month. You are only allowed to take food for the correct number of people in your family. If you don t need a food group you cannot replace the items with items from other food groups. Volunteers are not allowed to give a client s food to anyone other than the client without written consent from the client. Food Distribution All volunteers are to follow the guidelines for the size of the family and must follow limit amounts posted. Accepting Donations When accepting donations, ALWAYS check for expiration dates before placing food on the shelves (Discard items if they are past the expiration date) Checks should be made out to ICS Inc or Care -n- Share Please make note of all donations in the donation book!
Volunteer Duties Be ethical! Please DO NOT discuss clients or clients information outside of the pantry. Please treat all clients FAIRLY (no preferential treatment may be given) *** Please note: no one under 18 should have access to the client files online or the paper files.*** Be 10 minutes early to your shift to assist in setting up. Place the sign outside (and take it back in ) Clear sidewalk of snow or ice Properly fill in books/logs Get bags/boxes ready to start food pack up Check freezers for types of food Greet clients, have them take a number, be seated and wait for their name to be called Allow only one client at the desk at a time (please remember to verify ID, but DO NOT write down numbers) Assist them in gathering their food, keeping with the proper allotments Once started the next person may be called to the desk Assist elderly or disabled clients with loading and unloading If you get injured, be sure to fill out an incident report If you cannot make your shift, please contact Ellie or try and get a replacement to work for you - we depend on you! Don t bring important/valuable things with you and do not leave money or keys in your coat pockets If you can be called if we are short a volunteer -