Food Distribution Volunteer

QUICK OVERVIEW
Help Distribute Breakfast to our Unhoused Community and maintain our Day Resource Center clean.
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MISSION
Depaul USA is a national homeless service nonprofit organization and affiliate of the international homelessness services organization, Depaul International Group. Celebrating over 12 years of working with homeless individuals across the United States. We aim to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.
 
IMPACT
In 2022, the need for Casa Milagrosas services increased greatly with the increase of unhoused and unserved people living in the Westlake District and Greater Los Angeles areas. With your help, Casa Milagrosa will ease the lives of those in need. As of April 2022, Casa Milagrosa has provided 1,047 meals to our unhoused community. With your support, you can make the success of feeding more of our unhoused guests possible.
 
VOLUNTEER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
On the last Wednesday of the month, we host our Monthly Food Distribution event on-site. Volunteers can expect a larger group of fellow volunteers on these days and to work alongside other volunteers in various capacities, including sorting, packing, and distributing fresh produce. The following roles will be available:

• Food Sorter and Packer: These volunteers are tasked with assisting the driver in unloading pallets of food. Moving and arranging produce boxes to the parking area to facilitate the packing process. Pack produces bags/boxes with predetermined quantities of produce items. Once packed, place packed bags/boxes on distribution tables.
• Food Distributor: Volunteers distribute pre-packaged produce boxes/bags and help our guests with loading into their carts or vehicles if necessary. Clean up, including breaking down boxes and removing empty pallets if applicable.
• Guest Greeter/Registration: If you’re bilingual and able to assist clients at distribution sites, we need your help as a client greeter and registration volunteer. A guest greeter and registration volunteer is the first point of contact for guests at the Casa Milagrosas distribution site. These volunteers must have a cheerful, welcoming demeanor and a willingness to welcome new clients. The greeter and registration volunteer is responsible for: Answering questions clients may have (in their preferred language), Setting expectations for the distribution and helping new guests navigate the distribution.

REQUIREMENTS

• Please wear casual, comfortable attire with closed-toe shoes.
• Volunteers need to be able to lift boxes above 20 lbs., this will require bending and lifting. 
• Volunteer opportunities for court-mandated service hours must be approved 48 hours in advance before starting. Please email Ricardo.Torres@Depaulusa.org for approval.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our Food Distribution program is located onsite, and we ask that all volunteers maintain caution as they unload the food from the truck and place the items on the packing tables.
Location
Casa Milagrosa- DepaulUSA is located at 161 S. Alvarado St. Los Angeles, CA 90057, near Macarthur Park.
Parking
Metered parking (coins and credit cards accepted) outside our Center. Meters start at 8 am. Limited Onsite Parking.
 

All volunteers participating in this volunteer opportunity should adhere to the health and safety guidelines outlined here: https://www.laworks.com/health-and-safety.

By clicking “Sign Up,” I acknowledge that I am aware and understand that I am signing up for Activities that may be inherently dangerous and may expose me to a variety of foreseen and unforeseen hazards and risks including exposure to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”).  The Activities may involve a degree of contact with clients who need assistance and other volunteers who may be carriers of COVID-19 and that personal protective equipment may not be available for my use and/or effective against preventing transmission of COVID-19 whether as a result of my own actions or otherwise.   

By clicking “Sign Up,” I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in the Activities and have considered those risks. I hereby expressly and specifically assume such risks, including any and all risk of injury, illness, harm, or loss that I may incur as a result of my participation in the Activities. I hereby fully and forever release and discharge L.A. Works from, and expressly waive, any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, that may arise from my participation in the Activities.