The SEM Food Pantry is a choice pantry that allows clients to come every 30 days and select food items. We primarily serve clients in eastern Hamilton County and Clermont County. The pantry is run by an all volunteer staff from top to bottom. We have no paid positions. There are several opportunities for volunteers in our operation. Many of our positions are staffed with volunteers who work on a regular basis for that function (e.g. escorting clients every Monday). We frequently need to fill staffed positions on both a short term and long term basis due to volunteer absences. The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Tuesday evenings from 5:30 – 7:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon.

Here are the main functions supported by volunteers:

Client Escorts: This involves escorting clients as they pick their food items. The client escort provides information to clients about quantities of items they may select based on family size. They then help the client transport the food to their car. Client Escorts also help with moving donations we receive during operating hours from our donation reception area to the appropriate shelves. The Client Escort function is required for all of our shifts.

Stockers: Stockers help with the regular donations we receive during the week. They help to unload our van and put the items on the appropriate shelves. Stockers only work weekday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM shifts and are frequently done before noon. They are required to be at the pantry by 9:00 AM.

Pick Up Volunteers: These volunteers travel to our donors locations, usually in our van or sometimes with their personal vehicles, to pick up donations and bring them to the pantry. These pick ups are done every weekday. Some pickups are done as early as 8:30 AM.

Client Interface: This function is done by one volunteer for each shift. It is the person who interfaces with clients when they phone in for an appointment and also when they arrive at the pantry. They sign the client into our computer tracking program, verify the client’s identity and confirm the client’s address.

Volunteer Process:

As a potential volunteer you will be asked to provide contact information such as phone number and email address. We will also ask for your preference of volunteer functions you are willing to support and also any restrictions you may have for shift times (e.g. can only work certain shifts). Our plan is to send out an email to all our potential volunteers each week with information about upcoming volunteer needs. Potential volunteers will be directed to a website to sign up to fill the needs. With the exception of the Client Interface position, no prior training is required for any one to fill the volunteer positions – training is done on the job. The Client Interface position requires some training that is done with an experienced Client Interface volunteer during a regular shift. The training does not require the trainee to be there for the entire shift.

Interested in volunteering? Please fill out this form. Looking forward to meeting you soon!