Note: This project has two placement options. Click below to read more about each placement.

Backpack Volunteer

Pantry Volunteer

Hours:
50 - 59 Hours

Availabilities:
Business Hours

Seasons:
Year Round

Competencies:
Accountability
Effective use of resources
Managing logistics

Skills:
Community partnerships

Community Issue Area (if applicable):
Children's Health

Community Partners (if applicable):
Mississippi Food Network and Johnson Elementary and Smith Elementary/Jackson Public Schools

For more information about the Mississippi Food Network, please visit www.msfoodnet.org

Specific Job Responsibilities of Placement:
Backpack volunteers will provide approximately 200 students at Smith and Johnson Elementary Schools with backpack meal kits filled with nutritious food to take home each weekend during the school year. Members will meet at the Mississippi Food Network on Friday mornings from 8:00 am – 11:00 am (unless otherwise specified by them) and volunteers are responsible for delivering those backpacks to the schools. Backpacks will be packed on a weekly basis during the months of September - May to ensure afternoon distribution to schools. Backpack distribution occurs each week, on Friday afternoons, as the children are leaving the school campuses to go home for the weekend.

Committee Meeting Details:
As a volunteer on the Jackson Backpack & School Pantry - Backpack Volunteer project, you must meet the following requirements to complete your project placement and receive project credit for the year. If you have any questions or cannot meet the requirements as described, please contact the Placement Chair at placement@jljackson.org for further direction.

Note: The following list is an outline of the project requirements. As needs arise, this list may be modified or expounded upon in order to properly complete the project for the Community Partner.

1. Attend project orientation.*
2. Attend cultural competency training.*
3. Complete your online project evaluation and online placement evaluation upon project conclusion.*
4. Participate in and attend backpack packing shifts at the MS Food Network facilities on Friday mornings from 8:00 am – 11:00 am or until finished (dates TBA).
5. Participate in and attend at least nine (9) packing shifts; purchase 200 items of fruit for two (2) of the nine (9) shifts attended.
6. Deliver food for all backpacks to designated JPS elementary schools after all packing is completed (locations TBA).
7. Complete all JPS volunteer requirements, including (but not limited to): JPS volunteer orientation, background checks, and fingerprinting.
8. Complete all Mississippi Food Network volunteer requirements.

*NOTE: Bolded items denote requirements for all JLJ Community Projects

Orientation or Training Details:

• Project Orientation (date, time, and location TBA)
• Complete the online Serv Safe Food Training session. This training lasts approximately one hour.

Hours:
50 - 59 Hours

Availabilities:
Evening

Seasons:
Year Round

Skills:
Community partnerships

Competencies:
Accountability
Effective use of resources
Managing logistics
Relationship building and networking

Community Issue Area (if applicable):
Children's Health

Community Partners (if applicable):
Mississippi Food Network and Pecan Park Elementary/Jackson Public Schools
For more information about the Mississippi Food Network, please visit www.msfoodnet.org.

Specific Job Responsibilities of Placement:
Pantry volunteers will stock the school pantry at Pecan Park Elementary with fresh produce, staple foods, and personal care items each month. Volunteers will also host distribution events at the school pantry throughout the year. Meals are also provided for children and families during extended breaks from school, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and Easter.

Committee Meeting Details:
As a volunteer on the Jackson Backpack & School Pantry – Pantry Volunteer project, you must meet the following requirements to complete your project placement and receive project credit for the year. If you have any questions or cannot meet the requirements as described, please contact the Placement Chair at placement@jljackson.org for further direction.

Note: The following list is an outline of the project requirements.  As needs arise, this list may be modified or expounded upon in order to properly complete the project for the Community Partner.

1. Attend project orientation.*
2. Attend cultural competency training.*
3. Complete your online project evaluation and online placement evaluation upon project conclusion.*
4. Participate in and attend 8 Pantry nights, typically held on the third Tuesday of the month from September – May (dates TBA). Hours of attendance are 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at a designated JPS elementary school (location TBA).
5. Purchase and deliver fresh produce for the Pantry on at least one occasion; organize Pantry as needed.
6. Plan and attend programs/events for families focusing on nutrition and fitness.
7. Complete all JPS volunteer requirements, including (but not limited to): JPS volunteer orientation, background checks, and fingerprinting.

*NOTE: Bolded items denote requirements for all JLJ Community Projects

Orientation or Training Details:

•  Project Orientation (date, time, and location TBA)
• Complete the online Serv Safe Food Training session. This training lasts approximately one hour.
• Complete all JPS volunteer requirements, including (but not limited to): JPS volunteer orientation, background checks, and fingerprinting.

Important Information:
The Food Pantry is held on the second Tuesday of each month, September – May, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Pecan Park Elementary School.Voluers will plan programs each month (focusing on nutrition and physical fitness), purchase produce, organize the pantry, help families navigate the events, clean up after events, and store all leftover items.