Are you looking for an opportunity to give back and serve your community? Join the Notre Dame Mission Volunteers AmeriCorps program in August 2026 and give back to the community through a year of paid service with Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes!
About Notre Dame Mission Volunteers AmeriCorps (NDMV)
NDMV works with local partners to increase access to education and other essential social services. By collaborating with local organizations, NDMV aims to make a lasting impression on the lives of individuals and families in the region. More information can be found at ndmv.org As a member, you will serve at Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes for 10.5 months, August-June, part-time, providing essential support to the community.
Benefits of AmeriCorps
– Health insurance (including mental health coverage)
– Living Stipend
– Loan Forbearance
– Education award at the completion of service term
About Pajaro Valley loaves and Fishes
Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes is a community-based free food pantry dedicated to providing nutritious food to the Watsonville and surrounding communities. Our Notre Dame AmeriCorps member supports our mission by helping directly distribute food to the pantry and lunch guests and recruit and manage wonderful community volunteers, Monday through Friday. It is a rewarding, collaborative, guest-centric environment.
About this service position location:
- Direct food service through kitchen and pantry programs
- Develop capacity in volunteer recruitment
- Support daily volunteers, helping the Volunteer Coordinator with their orientation as needed
- Support in managing digital outreach campaigns through social media and volunteer platforms with the goal of recruiting additional volunteers
- Help prepare and serve lunch periodically to support staff and volunteer efforts
- Help pack and distribute pantry bags
- Help sort produce
- Maintain a log in order to track the total pounds of food distributed, the number of nutrition education workshops, the number of new clients accessing services, and the number of volunteers recruited and trained
- Participate in on-going collaboration with community resources, referral sources, and agencies
- Attend relevant, value-added workshops related to community engagement and food security
- Create outreach content including press releases and implement events within the community
- Develop independent projects with the aim of helping further alleviate food insecurity through outreach and education.
- Along with staff, ensure that planned activities, hygiene and safety standards have been followed
- Collaborate with Site Supervisor to address challenges and advance toward goals
- Maintain an open channel of communication with program staff and select administrative staff
- Operate in a collaborative work environment
- Attend trainings and participate in meetings as necessary.
- Provide communications which are culturally sensitive and within the scope of authorized client contact.
- Provide timely responses to assignments.
- Communicate effectively with Site Supervisor and Site Manager.
Site Specific Duties
- Help unload orders from Second Harvest Food Bank
- Maintain resource bulletin board in both Spanish and English
- Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to thank and recognize volunteer participation
- Receive pantry and lunch program participants courteously
- Help plan holiday food distributions and volunteer appreciation events.
- Support in maintaining the pantry garden with planting and caretaking
- Maintain volunteer scheduling board and online scheduler
At Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes you can expect
- Food provided
- Growth opportunities
- Casual work attire
- On-the-job training
- Lively atmosphere
Position prerequisites
- Must by bilingual in English/Spanish
- Strong desire to engage with community
- Driver’s License
- Adaptability
- AmeriCorps members must be over 18, with high school diploma/GED, and a US Citizen or legal permanent resident
- All AmeriCorps members complete a FBI and Truescreen background checks during pre-enrollment
Link to application: https://www.ndmv.org/apply/
