La Mesa Presbyterian Church Food Pantry Lead Position

 Job Posting – La Mesa Food Pantry Lead
La Mesa Presbyterian Church

Position Title: La Mesa Food Pantry Lead

The La Mesa Food Pantry opened in 2008 as a response to the hunger needs of the La Mesa community. That need grew during the pandemic - over the first 6 months of  2021, we have helped about 2,200 families giving out 15 tons of food. As the Lead for  the La Mesa Food Pantry, you will make sure the food gets to those families, with the  support of community partners and volunteers. Hunger can and should be eradicated; help make that a reality in the La Mesa community.


General Job Description: The La Mesa Food Pantry Lead is responsible for the organization and direction of the food pantry program (M-W-F). The Lead functions as a liaison between Roadrunner Food Bank (LMFP), La Mesa Presbyterian Church (LMPC), and all Food Pantry volunteers. The Lead is also the point person for all encounters with additional businesses and organizations providing goods, services, or grants to La Mesa’s Food Pantry.

 Requirement Qualifications:
● Skills to accomplish program oversight and management with knowledge of food pantry operation.
● Knowledge of how customer culture and diet affect food pantry operation.
● Ability to work cooperatively and respectfully with very differing entities, church, and fundraising sources.
● Administrative and logistical skills in ordering food, recordkeeping and analyzing pantry operations.
● Be able to manage, lead and delegate tasks to a variety of volunteers and volunteer positions.
● Writing and oral communication skills.
● Meet the Presbyterian Church’s Safe Church Policy requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Language abilities in Spanish.
● Experience in writing grants.
● A college education, workshops, and/or prior experience working with food pantries.
● Experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
● Experience working with people in emotional/mental distress.

 Position Responsibilities:
In cooperation with the Pastor and staff of LMPC, and in communication with the LMPC Session:
1. Oversee the design and weekly operation of the La Mesa Food Pantry.
2. Create and follow a budget.
3. Apply for and administer grants. 

4. Work with the space provided at LMPC, determine delivery, storage and distribution solutions, within available finances.

5. Restock storage places with donations and deliveries.
6. Clean LMFP storage spaces, shelves and kitchen areas.
7. Recruit and oversee additional volunteers and support staff as needed.
8. Weekly communicate desired food list to grocery store buyers.
9. Schedule and secure 3 volunteers each M-W-F as possible.
10. Communicate with gleaners and support food drop-off from gleaners.
11. Manage and monitor food distribution to customers, and keep records of sign-ins.
12. Receive deliveries from Roadrunner food bank with volunteers.
13. Weekly manage ordering to and bookkeeping from Roadrunner food bank.
14. Write monthly reports to the LMPC Session on the LMFB distribution / finances and identify areas for improving efficiency and equity.
15. Identify and try to resolve issues of discrimination in customer service and food pantry design.
16. Monitor all safety issues including masked customers and volunteers.
17. Communicate regularly with LMPC and staff and the appropriate church committees by attending meetings, writing newsletter articles, writing bulletin announcements, connecting via electronic media (e-mail, texting, Facebook, etc.), and engaging in personal conversations as needed.
18. Participate in additional community boards or in enriching educational opportunities as are available and financially feasible for the benefit of the LMFP.

Hours of Employment: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30-11:30 plus 6 additional hours weekly. An average of 15 hours per week.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and paid during a 12-month cycle.

Contact: Chair of the Personnel Committee at personnel@lamesapresabq.org