State Office Of Volunteerism Healthy Eating Food Program

State Office of Volunteerism Healthy Eating Food Program

This VISTA will be on the front line of fighting food insecurity by building a network and system to harvest excess usable food from grocery stores and restaurants for food bank distribution. VISTA will also recruit volunteers to conduct cooking/eating classes to promote use of the available healthy food options.

VISTA will design and build the classes program. The DE Governors Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service works with nonprofits to support and collaborate to expand individual nonprofit reach within the community. This particular effort brings together private businesses (groceries and restaurants), Rotary clubs and food resources (food banks, churches and school-based efforts) to harvest foods that would otherwise end up in landfills.

VISTA will have a leading role reporting to established businesses and groups (Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, grocery stores, restaurants) to make them aware of both the challenges of hunger and of solutions in which they and their businesses can contribute. As part of the Bridging Project, VISTA will team with up to 20 other VISTAs to identify gaps in service to combat poverty and identify possible ways to bridge those gaps. Further help on this page can be found by clicking here.

Member Duties : VISTA will work with local (Sussex County and Kent County) grocery stores and restaurants to develop a system to harvest usable food. VISTA will build a system to recruit volunteers to pick up and deliver donated foods.

VISTA will build and recruit volunteers to provide classes on cooking/eating using donated food to provide healthy options for family meals. VISTA will work with established businesses and organizations within the community to expand and enhance food security. VISTA will be part of a Bridging Project to identify gaps in services to address poverty and find creative ways to bridge those gaps.

Program Benefits : Childcare assistance if eligible , Training , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Living Allowance , Education award upon successful completion of service , Health Coverage* .

Terms :

Car recommended , Permits working at another job during off hours , Permits attendance at school during off hours .

Service Areas :

Health , Hunger .

Skills :

A desire to serve , General Skills , Communications , Leadership , Community Organization .