Emmanuel Church Grab and Go Site Manager
Time commitment: Approximately 4–6 hours per week
Location: Boston’s Back Bay
Schedule: Tuesday morning availability required, with limited coordination during the week
Reports to: Director of the Food Assistance Program
Role Overview
The Program Operations Manager of the Food Assistance Program (Grab & Go) helps ensure the smooth, consistent operation of AFTDJ’s weekly meal distribution program in Boston’s Back Bay. This is a hands-on operations role focused on making sure that the people, supplies, procedures, and on-site logistics are in place each week so that meals can be prepared and distributed efficiently, reliably, and with dignity.
The Program Operations Manager works closely with the Director of the Food Assistance Program and with volunteer team leads. The role is not expected to perform every task personally; rather, the Manager helps organize the work, anticipate needs, coordinate volunteers, and address practical issues before and during program operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Help ensure the reliable weekly preparation and distribution of Grab & Go meals.
- Confirm that program activities run on time and according to established procedures.
- Coordinate the practical flow of program day activities, including setup, meal preparation, distribution, and cleanup.
- Identify opportunities to improve workflow, reduce confusion, and make program operations easier for volunteers to execute consistently.
- Help maintain clear written procedures, checklists, and practical instructions for recurring program tasks.
- Work with the Director and other AFTDJ leaders to ensure that volunteer slots are filled or backup coverage is arranged.
- Recruit, onboard, and orient new volunteers in coordination with AFTDJ’s broader volunteer engagement efforts.
- Serve as a welcoming and practical point of contact for volunteers before and during program activities.
- Help volunteers understand their roles, timing, and responsibilities so that they can contribute confidently.
- Foster a respectful, hospitable, and team-oriented environment for volunteers and guests.
- Help monitor food, packaging, and other supplies needed for weekly operations.
- Communicate purchasing, restocking, or storage needs to the Director of the Food Assistance Program or designated shoppers.
- Coordinate setup needs, transportation details, and distribution logistics as needed.
- Help ensure that supplies and materials are available and organized before program activities begin.
- Assist with basic inventory tracking in a practical, easy-to-maintain format.
- Experience coordinating volunteers, organizing a small operation, or helping lead a recurring community service activity.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Dependability and comfort with hands-on, practical work.
- Ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Sensitivity to issues of food insecurity, homelessness, and social justice.
- Comfort using email, spreadsheets, SignUpGenius, or similar scheduling and coordination tools.
- Ability to remain calm and constructive when plans need to be adjusted.
Success in this role means that weekly Grab & Go operations run consistently and respectfully; volunteer coverage is adequate or backup plans are in place; supplies and logistics are organized; volunteers feel welcomed and supported; and guests are served efficiently and with dignity.
- Practical, reliable, and organized.
- Warm and respectful in working with volunteers and guests.
- Comfortable taking initiative while working within established program practices.
- Committed to AFTDJ’s mission of inspiring faith in action through service to others.
- Time commitment: Approximately 4–6 hours per week
- Location: Boston’s Back Bay
- Schedule: Tuesday morning availability required, with limited coordination during the week
- Reports to: Director of the Food Assistance Program
Interested volunteers should contact volunteering@faith-justice.org to learn more about the role, the weekly schedule, and the current needs of the Food Assistance Program.