Home > Organizations > Interfaith Food Bank > Client Advocate Volunteers
Populations Served
- Adults
- Children
- Immigration & Refugee Services
- Indigenous
- Low-Income
Competencies/Skills
- Adaptability & Resourcefulness
- Communication
- Community Engagement/Advocacy
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Social Skills
Opportunity last updated: July 15th
Client Advocate Volunteers
Volunteer Advocates support the Service & Care Team by working with the Client Advocacy Coordinator to provide information, referrals and community connections to help address the underlying issues that are placing individuals in need of food bank supports. Duties include providing referrals, assisting clients with applications, appointments and systems navigation, and general administrative duties to maintain client files. Advocacy roles require an understanding of local community resources, a familiarity with vulnerable populations with complex issues, and a commitment to providing services with upmost dignity.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Familiar with working with vulnerable populations, able to respond and support with dignity, respect and tact
- High attention to detail and strong listening skills
- Intermediate computer skills required for navigating websites and referral processes
- Awareness of community services and programs an asset, ability to research available supports to provide effective information and referrals
Volunteer Duties
- Support Service & Care team – Volunteers will be cross trained with the Client Services Team to ensure the flexibility to fill in where most needed, and for familiarity with core food bank services
- Meet clients to hear them express their needs and/or issues placing them in need of food bank support
- Suggest solutions/steps to addressing underlying needs leading to food insecurity
- Provide information and/or referrals to local community resources
- Support clients in making appointments, filling out application forms, navigating next steps
- Follow up with clients to track progress towards goals
- Support Client Advocacy Coordinator with Empowerment Programs such as Tax Clinics, Employment Readiness Programs, Special Program Registrations (eg. Christmas Hope, Ready Set Go, etc.)
Age Requirements
18 years old or above
Other Requirements
- Volunteer Application
- IFB Volunteer Interview
- IFB Shift Orientation and Volunteer Profile Creation
- Successfully complete trial shift
- Attend Volunteer Onboarding session
Schedule
- Morning shift: 9:30am-12pm
- Afternoon shift: 1pm-3:30pm
- Interfaith Food Bank has a 2 shifts/week maximum
- Willing to make long-term (at least 4-month commitment ideal)
Time Commitment
Continuing commitment
Type of Opportunity
Administrative & Office Work,Community Engagement,Immigrant & Refugee Services,Mental Well-Being
Application Type
Advanced
Other Opportunities with Interfaith Food Bank
At The Second Door, we recognize the value of the forgotten and the timeworn, offering unique pre-loved items, as well as those that never even made it off the shelf. You will find an array of new, used and slightly bruised items for home, kitchen and personal use. With the assistance of volunteers, donated items are turned into funds that the food bank uses for food and operational costs —every purchase helps to support those in the community who need it most.
Service & Care Volunteers support the Client Services team in providing Emergency Food Assistance. This involves supporting clients while ensuring a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment. Duties include tasks such as greeting clients and updating files, fulfilling hamper orders, facilitating pick room access and empowering clients while decreasing barriers to services. These tasks are done safely and effectively through detailed processes while adhering to food safety guidelines.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Good customer service skills including listening, empathy and maintaining dignity for clients
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while standing continuously
- Able to work with a diverse group of individuals
- Some positions require heavy lifting activities on a regular basis (40lbs and over)
- Must be able to work with minimal supervision and demonstrate initiative
- Intermediate computer skills are an asset
Volunteer Drivers provide support to our Operations Team by assisting with smaller pickups and/or deliveries using their own vehicles and assisting our paid staff with additional errands and warehouse activities. As representatives of the food bank off-site, Volunteer Drivers will interact with donors and suppliers on our behalf and should be capable of heavy lifting and working in fast-paced and ever-changing environments.
Drivers interested in supporting Hamper Deliveries to food bank families will be subject to additional screening requirements (not required for all Volunteer Drivers).
Thanks for your interest in this volunteer position!
We'll just need a bit of information so we can pass your application along to Interfaith Food Bank.
In December 2025, we’ll focus only on event-based opportunities. We’ll respond to other volunteer inquiries or referrals starting in January 2026.
Volunteers can sign up for up to 3 continuing commitment opportunities for immediate referrals. If you signed up for more than 3, a Volunteer Lethbridge staff member will connect with you before making new referrals.