Santa Clara County Operation Brown Bag is a program that gives low-income seniors a weekly bag of groceries. There are many volunteer opportunities to assist with this program. Brown Bag sites are located throughout Santa Clara County.
To sign up, contact:
Christina Castillo, Program Coordinator
phone: (408) 266-8866 x 224
email: ccastillo@shfb.org
OPPORTUNITIES:
Site Chair at Milpitas Brown Bag Site
The Site Chair works closely with Food Bank staff regarding distribution process, policies, and procedures. Their primary responsibility is to oversee the distribution process at the distribution site and ensure that the food is distributed to Brown Bag members in a fair, safe, and timely manner. Site Chairs are responsible for completing all paperwork required by Second Harvest Food Bank including new member applications and volunteer hour reports. Duties can be delegated to any other volunteer who has the ability and training to perform the assigned task.
Commitment: Wednesday mornings 7:00 am to 10:30 am. Attend Quarterly Site Chair meeting at the Food Bank. Provide ongoing communication with the main office. Maintain confidentiality of program operation and program participants.
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience with supervision of others
Customer service, friendly, patient – likes helping and working with seniors
Good record keeping skills, organized, good problem solver
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Maintain safe working conditions and follow all safety rules
Must be at least 18 years old
Helpful, but not required to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian
Operation Brown Bag Delivery
In Santa Clara county, deliver weekly groceries to homebound seniors. Locations and times vary, typically weekday mornings. Current Routes: Cupertino, Mountain View, San Jose - Southside, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale.
Operation Brown Bag Site Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help unload food and pack grocery bags. Repetitive bending, stooping and lifting required. Two-hour shifts, weekday mornings.
Operation Brown Bag Site Renewal Team
Work with a great group of people to help register low-income seniors and families for food assistance. Team conducts in-person interviews to determine eligibility for services. Volunteer shifts available most weekday mornings at sites throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Skills required: ability to work with people, friendly personality, written accuracy, and multiple languages a plus. Transportation from the Food Bank provided. Commitment: at least one shift per month up to 1 per week. Schedule is published in advance to allow volunteers to determine availability.
Operation Brown Bag File Clerk
Assist with basic office tasks including filing, preparing membership cards, making copies, and preparing form letters for mailing. Skills required: basic office skills or willingness to learn new ones. Commitment: Weekly 3 hour shift during regular business hours (8 - 5 PM). Location: San Jose Food Distribution Center.
Specific Sites in Need of Volunteers
Volunteer Delivery Drivers needed to help deliver food to homebound seniors at the following locations:
Park View Senior Apts
355 Race Street
San Jose, CA 95126
Tuesday mornings, 8:30 to 9:30 AM
St. Clare Parish
941 Lexington Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tuesday mornings, 8:00 to 10:00 AM
Campbell Community Center
1675 Winchester Blvd.
Campbell, CA 95008
Thursday mornings 7am to 9am
Distribution set up and unloading
Oaks of Almaden
5050 Russo Dr.
Jose, CA 95118
Tuesday mornings 9am to 10am
Delivery driver
Willow Glen United Methodist
1420 Newport Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
Tuesday mornings 7:30am to 10:30am
Administrative Assistant
Los Gatos
208 E. Main
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Friday mornings 7am to 8am
Delivery driver