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
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
Support with stuffing a Newsletter that will be mailed to donors.
Volunteers needed to assist for Volunteer Appreciation Lunch.
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
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.
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.