Be A Neighborhood Coordinator

What does a Neighborhood Coordinator do?

It’s amazingly simple. You organize a small group of neighbors to become Food Donors. Each donor receives a reusable green bag to store food. Every two months, you pick up their full bags, leave an empty one for the next time, and bring all the bags to a drop-off point, where volunteers receive and sort them.

How do I pick my Neighborhood?

Your “neighborhood” is wherever you decide it is, and it can be as big or small as you want it to be. It could be a few houses, an entire street, or several blocks. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the area you choose. One of the benefits of being a Neighborhood Coordinator is gaining a better sense of where you live and who your neighbors are. Choose an area you’d like to get to know better.

How do I build a Neighborhood?

Most Neighborhood Coordinators start by asking nearby friends and acquaintances. When they’re ready, they knock on a few doors nearby—which is a great way to meet neighbors. Of course, canvassing can feel a bit intimidating at first for some people. That’s why we’ve created an easy how-to kit to help. Just ask us!

Other Questions

How much food will people donate?

We suggest that Food Donors purchase one extra nonperishable food item each week during their grocery shopping, but it’s entirely up to them. Some will donate a lot, others a little. The amount isn’t what matters—as long as they’re participating, the Food Project is a success. Bonus: We’ll provide reminders for you to send to your donors so they don’t forget to leave their bag.

When is Pickup Day?

Our “official” pickup day is the 2nd Saturday of every even month (February, April, June, etc.). However, the project is designed to give you flexibility. If you’ll be out of town on the official pickup day or prefer a different week, you can coordinate a new date with your Food Donors and the Food Bank. All we ask is that you keep us—and more importantly, your Donors—informed. If you can’t make it on Pickup Day, make sure you have a backup driver who knows your route (perhaps a Donor or family member). If you’re unable to find a replacement, just let us know!

What happens on Pickup Day?

Each Food Donor leaves their green food bag outside by their front door. You pick up the full bag, leave an empty one along with a “Thank You” card (which we’ll provide), and take the donations to the designated drop-off point. Volunteers from the food bank will be there to receive, weigh, and sort the food. Once we’ve calculated the total weight for the entire pickup, we’ll share the results with you so you can update your Food Donors about the impact they’ve made.

How much time does it involve?

Only an hour or two every other month! You might spend a bit more time at the beginning as you build your neighborhood, but the ongoing time commitment is surprisingly small considering the meaningful impact you’ll have.

As you meet more neighbors and connect with other Neighborhood Coordinators, your sense of community will grow. The experience will enrich your life just as much as it helps others. It’s something to look forward to!