Food Pantry Associate

Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

35-hour workweek

Generous vacation and sick pay

14 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical, Dental, Vision, and FSP

Employer-paid Life Insurance and LTD

403(b) with employer matching

Supportive working environment

Job summary

Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines is seeking a Food Pantry Associate to support daily operations, assist with food distribution, client service, inventory management, and the upkeep of the facility in a safe, welcoming environment.

Under the direction of the Program Manager, you will supervise volunteers, determine eligibility for government programs, maintain accurate records, coordinate with community partners, and help ensure compassionate service and dignity for every client.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent with 6 months–1 year related experience
• Solid knowledge of human and social service programs including food insecurity
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations
• Experience working directly with clients in a social services setting preferred
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist clients and donors with professionalism and respect
• Use data collection software to distribute items and track client information
• Supervise volunteers and determine eligibility for government programs
• Receive, unload, and organize donations
• Perform daily cleaning and end-of-day sanitization
• Manage food inventory, ordering, storing, and distribution
• Maintain records and prepare reports for funders
• Coordinate volunteer schedules and update database
• Foster partnerships with community organizations
• Address on-site client concerns and resolve grievances

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Data entry

Education

Associate’s Degree or equivalent

Tools

Data collection software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

Are you looking to make a real difference in the lives of others? Join the Catholic Charities team! For the last 100 years, we have had the distinct honor to provide help and hope for those in need. At Catholic Charities, our mission is to empower individuals and strengthen families. We do this through our vital programs including a food pantry, counseling services, emergency family shelter, community resource coordination, and domestic violence and sexual assault programming. We care for the dignity of the person, regardless of background and strive to provide unparalleled support for those in need.

The Food Pantry Associate supports the daily operations of the Food Pantry by assisting with food distribution, client service, inventory management, and general upkeep of the facility. This role ensures that clients are served with dignity and respect in a safe and welcoming environment. Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Food Pantry Associate provides oversight and guidance to volunteers supporting the pantry, ensuring effective service delivery consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Catholic Charities.

We Offer

• Competitive pay
• 35-hour workweek
• Generous vacation and sick pay
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flex Spending Plans
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• A supportive and uplifting working environment

Key Responsibilities

• Greet and assist clients and donors upon arrival, responding to inquiries with professionalism and respect.
• Use data collection software to distribute personal care items, diapers, and food boxes, and accurately track client information as needed.
• Supervise volunteers assisting clients with food boxes and determine eligibility for government-subsidized programs. Provide guidance on program policies and complete related documentation.
• Receive, unload, and organize donations according to established procedures.
• Perform daily cleaning tasks and end-of-day sanitization to maintain a safe, clean facility. Report any maintenance or repair needs.
• Manage food inventory, including ordering, receiving, storing, and distributing food in compliance with USDA food safety standards. Coordinate food pickups/deliveries and maintain accurate inventory records.
• Maintain accurate records and perform data entry for program reporting. Complete reports for funders, partner agencies, and the Program Manager as needed.
• Coordinate with the Community Relations Manager to assess volunteer needs, manage volunteer schedules, and update the volunteer database.
• Foster partnerships with community organizations to support program growth and sustainability.
• Address on-site client concerns and resolve grievances to improve the client experience.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent from a college or technical school; 6 months-1 year related job experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid knowledge of human and social service programs including food insecurity and/or poverty.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people having diverse social concerns and problems, while maintaining personal boundaries.
• Experience working directly with clients in a social services setting preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically, including strong verbal, listening, and comprehension skills. Demonstrates good judgment and setting boundaries when handling various personalities, cultural backgrounds, age groups, and different personal practices or beliefs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related software. Ability to learn program specific software applications.

Additional Expectations

• Ability to pass a criminal background screening, including Child and Dependent Adult Abuse registry check is required. Compliance with Safe Environment training and monthly bulletins.
• Must maintain absolute confidentiality of information, written or verbal, according to policy and legal requirements.
• Attend staff meetings, community meetings, approved seminars, agency trainings/retreats, and professional conferences.
• Possess a strong commitment to the mission of Catholic Charities including the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and ability to demonstrate the philosophy and values of the agency. Employees are expected to support the Catholic Social Teaching principles in public forum. Fulfillment of the employee’s job responsibilities should be consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting while stocking and distributing food.
• Ability to lift and move capacities ranging up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 75 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to safely operate a pallet jack/stacker.
• Some work is performed in fluctuating temperatures (coolers, outdoors).
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.