PROGRAM ASSISTANT - HUNGER RELIEF

About the role

This part‑time Food Pantry Assistant position supports Metropolitan Family Service’s Hunger Relief efforts at multiple Community School sites. The role is guided by the agency’s values of creative problem‑solving, belief in the potential of families and individuals, prevention‑focused wellness, and building strong collaborative relationships with funders, partners, and volunteers while maintaining a deep commitment to diversity. Under the supervision of the Hunger Relief Coordinator, the assistant helps set up and distribute food, tracks volunteer and client data, ensures food safety standards, assists in volunteer training, checks clients in via a secure database, helps assemble weekend food backpacks for students, and supports resource referrals and partner engagement.

Responsibilities

• Support multiple SUN Community School sites with hunger relief services, including delivery, setup, and distribution of food.
• Assist in food pantry deliveries, setup, and distribution while assuring food safety protocols are met.
• Oversee volunteer protocols and processes for all food distribution sites, including volunteer paperwork, data, recruitment, and training.
• Support internal and external resource referrals for clients when possible.
• Work with Hunger Relief Coordinators at each site to notify school staff and clients of closures and schedule changes.
• Keep temperature logs, monitor food shelf dates, and maintain areas in compliance with OFB and MFS policies.
• Maintain MFS confidentiality policies and respect the privacy of participating families.
• Complete site OFB reports and assist with additional data collection, tracking, and reporting as needed, including proper data entry in the shared food banking database (SIMC).
• Maintain pantry compliance during recalls.
• Maintain food pantry files in collaboration with the SUN Site Manager.
• Communicate ideas and concerns to the SUN Site Manager, Hunger Relief Program Coordinators, and Program Manager in a timely manner.
• Comply with policies and procedures outlined in the Metropolitan Family Service Employee Handbook.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Obtain a valid Food Handlers’ Card for Multnomah County at time of employment (additional food safety trainings may be required by partner organizations).
• Fluency and ability to communicate effectively in languages in addition to English is beneficial.
• Must pass a criminal background check; MFS reviews results individually and considers all circumstances.

Skills

• Bilingual written and verbal communication in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Vietnamese, Karen, Tagalog, Nepali, or Burmese.
• Experience working with families in an enriching, positive manner.
• Experience in public school settings.
• Experience in food distribution, customer service, or a similar field.
• Willingness to ask questions and seek clarification when needed.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain appropriate and professional relationships with clients and volunteers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups.

Schedule

• Part‑time position with the possibility of more hours as funding allows.
• In‑person work required on site twice a week:
• Thursdays: David Douglas High School, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Fridays: Parklane Elementary School, 9:45 am – 1:45 pm