First I want to thank you for helping us!  You are an answer to our prayers and a blessing to us.

Getting Started:

• Sign a Volunteer Release Form.  Each person who helps is required to fill out a form.
• Record your volunteer time from the time you leave home. Record your time at the end of your shift.
• Check in with the lead volunteer helper(s) to know what needs to be done.
• Ask the lead volunteer for an orientation tour if this is your first time helping HSCSI.
• Make the lead volunteer aware of any physical limitations you may have so that we can properly select your activities. Your safety is of utmost importance.

 Reinforcing the Guidelines:

Although it may be uncomfortable, volunteers may need to talk to participants about following the guidelines below.

Here are some things to remember:

• Enforcing item limits
• A minimum of two hours per person is required every time a person works in the warehouse.
• Shopping time is not considered part of the two hour minimum.
• Participants can get up to ONE cart full of groceries.  PLEASE NOTE:  Participants are not to unload the cart and go back for another shopping time.  We want to have enough for the other families as well.

It is NEVER acceptable for someone to be rude to you. If a shopper is unpleasant with you, the lead volunteer must know right away.

Drivers:

Drivers have a great responsibility to represent Hope Station to our donors. Here are some things to remember:

• Be courteous to everyone.
• Defer graciously if an argument arises about whether you should be picking up items. Report any incident to the executive director.
• NEVER joke with suppliers about “selling” ANYTHING.  We do not sell our donations.
• Give us enough notice if you can’t make your designated drive so we can get a substitute.
• Report your pick-ups in the record book.

Work to be done:

Sorting Food Items

• Wipe or wash unclean items.
• Remove unsafe items. (Does this look clean and safe?)
• Group ‘like’ items together.
• Repackage items in appropriate quantities.
• Store sorted boxes in designated areas.
• Keep the shelves clean and orderly always.
• Boxes containing food must never be on the floor.

Stocking Shelves

• DO NOT lift boxes that are too heavy for you! Ask for help.  When moving crates use a hand truck, but do not drag crates across clean room floor.  Your safety is FIRST!
• Keep ‘like’ items in the same areas; i.e. canned vegetables together, fruit, spaghetti sauce, etc.
• Face the labels so that they can be read at a glance
• Check for expiration dates and place them accordingly (i.e. items with longer validations go in the back of the shelf.

Handling Food

• Food items that we receive in bulk are repackaged or placed on the shelves for distribution.
• Wash your hands first and ALWAYS wear clean gloves. Food safety is of vital importance.
• Wipe down the surface with disinfectant first and between every job.
• Label individual items as they are packaged.  (Pastry flour and unbleached flour look alike, but don’t bake the same!)
• Clean up after each job, wiping floor if necessary.

Clothing Sorting and Organizing:

• Sort clothing according to their own categories (age and gender)
• If clothing is not in good condition, place it in a separate bag.

For more information, please refer to the participant guidelines.

Thanks again for your help and may God bless you in a very special way!