Emergency Food Pantry Associate

Harvest Hope Food Bank; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvest Hope Food Bank in South Carolina is seeking an Emergency Food Pantry Associate to support daily pantry operations, maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming space for clients and volunteers. Under the supervision of the Emergency Food Pantry Supervisor, you will manage inventory, assist volunteers, prep food for distribution, and provide compassionate customer service.

This role offers meaningful community impact, opportunities for growth, and the chance to contribute to ending hunger

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ years in customer service, warehouse, food service, retail, or volunteer engagement preferred.
• Nonprofit, food pantry, or warehouse experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the daily operation of the Emergency Food Pantry to ensure an efficient, organized, and welcoming environment for clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Stock pantry shelves, coolers, and freezers throughout the day.
• Monitor pantry inventory and communicate replenishment needs to the EFP Supervisor.
• Rotate inventory using FIFO practices and remove products that do not meet quality standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout pantry and work areas.
• Assist with receiving, sorting, organizing, and preparing food products.
• Welcome, train, and provide guidance to volunteers on daily projects and safety.
• Work alongside volunteers to ensure projects are completed accurately and safely.
• Assist clients with selecting and loading food while providing compassionate customer service.
• Help maintain an orderly and safe client flow.
• Follow all Harvest Hope Food Bank policies related to food safety, employee safety, and client confidentiality.
• Operate pallet jacks and forklifts (upon certification).
• Assist with special distributions and other duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Task prioritization

Customer service

Basic computer skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Pallet jack operation

Forklift operation

Job description

About Harvest Hope Food Bank

Join Harvest Hope Food Bank, South Carolina's largest hunger-relief organization, serving 20 counties and distributing 30 million pounds of food annually. We value innovation, collaboration, and diversity, offering a rewarding experience for those dedicated to ending hunger. Join our team and partner with nearly 400 agencies to make a meaningful impact on food insecurity across the state.

Position Overview

The Emergency Food Pantry (EFP) Associate supports the daily operations of the Emergency Food Pantry by ensuring the pantry remains clean, organized, well-stocked, and welcoming for clients and volunteers. Working under the direction of the Emergency Food Pantry Supervisor, this position plays a key role in maintaining inventory, assisting volunteers, preparing food for distribution, and providing exceptional customer service to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

Emergency Food Pantry

The emergency food pantry provides free groceries to individuals and families who need help putting food on the table. We offer shelf-stable items and, when available, fresh foods such as produce, dairy, and bread. The pantry is open to anyone experiencing a temporary hardship, with no complicated requirements. Our goal is to ensure neighbors in our community have access to nutritious food during difficult times.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The emergency food pantry provides free groceries to individuals and families who need help putting food on the table. We offer shelf-stable items and, when available, fresh foods such as produce, dairy, and bread. The pantry is open to anyone experiencing a temporary hardship, with no complicated requirements. Our goal is to ensure neighbors in our community have access to nutritious food during difficult times.

• Assist with the daily operation of the Emergency Food Pantry to ensure an efficient, organized, and welcoming environment for clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Stock pantry shelves, coolers, and freezers throughout the day.
• Monitor pantry inventory and communicate replenishment needs to the EFP Supervisor.
• Rotate inventory using FIFO practices and remove products that do not meet quality standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout pantry and work areas.
• Assist with receiving, sorting, organizing, and preparing food products.
• Welcome, train, and provide guidance to volunteers on daily projects and safety.
• Work alongside volunteers to ensure projects are completed accurately and safely.
• Assist clients with selecting and loading food while providing compassionate customer service.
• Help maintain an orderly and safe client flow.
• Follow all Harvest Hope Food Bank policies related to food safety, employee safety, and client confidentiality.
• Operate pallet jacks and forklifts (upon certification).
• Assist with special distributions and other duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

HHFB Team Member Accountabilities

• Demonstrates a commitment to the HHFB mission and to fighting to end hunger in South Carolina.
• Displays a desire to work with culturally diverse populations using a compassionate, collaborative, and respectful approach.
• Supports a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and communicating process and safety improvements.
• Follows all safety policies and procedures, including reporting all unsafe acts and behaviors, safety hazards, incidents, or accidents immediately.
• Acknowledges that HHFB team members are considered emergency responders and may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties in instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One or more years of customer service, warehouse, food service, retail, volunteer engagement,
  or related experience preferred.
• Nonprofit, food pantry, or warehouse experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Basic computer skills preferred.
• Safely lift up to 30 pounds regularly.
• Proficient operating a pallet jack.
• Stand-up forklift experience preferred.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform physical work.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Harvest Hope Food Bank is an equal opportunity employer and embraces a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain and promote a talented diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their full potential.