Week Seven

This week was an interesting week at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Every week, my responsibilities and leadership role in the volunteer department have grown. The trend of more responsibility continued into the seventh week of my internship, mainly because the volunteer department is now under-staffed and my contribution is vital to its continuance. As mentioned last week, the previous Volunteer Manager, Arya Aghdasi, has left. Valentine’s Day was his last day holding this position. In addition to Aghdasi leaving, one of the part time Volunteer Coordinators, Margaret McCallister, also resigned from her position. This left Bill Taylor, as the sole remaining, paid member of the volunteer department. Taylor was the previous Volunteer Manager before retiring and passing the duties onto Aghdasi. Taylor has now stepped into the position and is acting as interim Volunteer Manager.

Despite the hectic feelings about the turnover and my new responsibilities, Taylor has done a great job of keeping things organized and ensuring that myself and the volunteers I am allowed to lead have tasks to complete. I have been able to assist with fresh bread pick-ups from local restaurants, as well as lead volunteers in fresh bread, sort and salvage, and mobile pantry bread sorting. While I have been able to perform all of this tasks in the past, I do not have someone consistently monitoring the volunteers and me. It is now my job to self-correct and manage the human resources. These new freedoms have made me feel as if I am now a worthy member of the team, and the other staff members in other departments have taken notice and provided me with several words of affirmation and appreciation.

February 18, 2020

Today was an interesting day. Because the food bank was closed on Monday for President’s Day, I did not come into work. Also, this was the first day without Arya Aghdasi as acting Volunteer Manager. As soon as I arrived, I was sent to pick-up the fresh bread donations. These donations come from local businesses and are re-packaged in our facility and distributed to people through various program, including Food 2 Kids and Mobile Food Pantry. While this task may seem trivial, it is an important part of the food banks redistribution of food products to assist in achieving the food bank’s mission to end hunger.

When instructing volunteers about how to package the fresh bread products, I am detailed in the procedure to ensure the bagging process is performed properly. This includes teaching volunteers how to sort the product into appropriate categories, check the product for imperfections, and final organization and storage of the product. While the bagging is taking place, I help the volunteers and also keep a close eye on their work to catch possible mistakes.

Assignments

Went on the bread run to pick up fresh bread from Panera Bread and Athens Bagel Company for the Fresh Bread program.
Instructed and led volunteers in sorting the fresh bread products for the Fresh Bread program.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

February 19, 2020

Again, I was sent to go on another bread run. This activity was previously described under February 18, 2020. Today, I was only sent to Panera Bread and Athens Bagel Company. Upon returning back at the food bank with the bread, I brought the product inside and was given the task of weighing and recording the product amount. This was a new lesson for me! The food bank must weigh and record all products that come into the facility and leave the facility to know our net food intake and net food output.

In the afternoon, I was able to instruct walk-in volunteers in fresh bread packaging. Walk-in volunteers are allowed to show up between the hours of 9:30 A.M. and 12:00 P.M., or 1:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. on Tuesdays through Thursdays. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to serve without the stress of being in a group or scheduling an appointment. These hours can be found on the food bank webpage for people to access. We also had a scheduled group of volunteers from Extra Special People, ESP, come in. We ensured that we provided this group with an appropriate activity to meet their various skill levels. We were able to sort through a considerable amount of sort and salvage donations from local grocery stores, like Earthfare and Publix, who give us experimental products that did not sell or items that are out of season. I had a blast working with this group. They were full of positivity!

Assignments

Went on the bread run to pick up fresh bread from Panera Bread, Athens Bagel Company, and Farmcart for the Fresh Bread program.
Instructed and led volunteers in sorting the fresh bread products for the Fresh Bread program.
Assisted the interim Volunteer Manager, Bill Taylor, in leading sort and salvage with a group from Extra Special People, ESP.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

February 20, 2020

The first task I participated in was fresh bread sorting. This is a task that I do almost every day because we receive products Monday through Friday from local business. The bread must be almost immediately sorted after pick-up so it can be stored in the large freezer, ensuring the product does not spoil. After completing this task, I helped Bill Taylor finish up mobile food pantry baggings with a group of volunteers. These bags were going to Watkinsville, Georgia. Mobile food pantries take products from the food bank to different areas, were the food can be picked up by people in need. The only information the person must provide is a zip code. This allows the food bank to see where food insecurity exists and where there is a need for food.

The afternoon group of walk-in volunteers helped to sort through pre-packaged bread from local grocery stores. We call this “bimbo bread.” The food bank received a large donation of bimbo bread from Publix. This bread was sorted into different categories: sliced bread, buns, bagels, english muffins, and sweets. The sorted bread is taken to different mobile pantries or food banks to be redistributed.

Assignments

Instructed and led volunteers in sorting the fresh bread products for the Fresh Bread program.
Assisted in creating bags of food products for a mobile pantry in Watkinsville, Georgia.
Led and instructed a group of volunteers in sorting pre-packaged bread products from local grocery stores, which were to be sent to a mobile food pantry.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

February 21, 2020

Coming into work on a Friday is unusual for me, and I have only done this once before. When I arrived today, the interim Volunteer Manager, Bill Taylor, was out making Food 2 Kids deliveries to local schools who receive weekend bags from the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, and distribute the bags to students who experience food insecurity over the weekend. Because Taylor was not in the building, I was acting the acting Volunteer Manager. Unfortunately, I was unable to put my skills to the test due to no volunteers attending the morning volunteer session. However, I did take a few phone calls and schedule a volunteer opportunity on our calendar.

Later on, we had a group called Trio Student Services come in and volunteer in the afternoon. I set up the fresh bread packaging station before the group arrived. Once the group arrived, I explained the process and led the group in the activity. After the fresh bread was packaged and the area was clean, I instructed the group in seasonal sort and salvage. We sorted through two large palates. One palate was exclusively Christmas foods and items. The second palate was exclusively Valentine’s foods and items. This was a fun activity for the group! They loved all of the fun themed items and seeing what was donated in bulk by the local grocery stores.

At the conclusion of the volunteer period, I was able to give my first solo tour of the facility! I have never performed a tour without help and supervision by a superior; however, I was allowed to give the tour alone. This was so much fun for me! I loved being able to personalize my tour and provide more information about the food bank to our first time volunteers.

Assignments

Step up and lead a group of volunteers in fresh bread packaging.
Instruct, monitor, and participate in seasonal sort and salvage.
Gave first solo tour of the food bank facilities without any assistance from a superior.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

Week Eight

Week eight flew by! I was so busy this week, and the other workers at the food bank continued to take notice of my contribution. BJ, a warehouse employee, complimented me on my hard work and how I helped to turn around the Volunteer Department. This was a huge compliment coming from a warehouse employee. Also, Isaac Swier, the Horticulture Specialist, asked me if I would be interested in being hired by the food bank after my internship concluded. This spoke volumes to me. It showed that my work and contribution is considered to be high enough value to the food bank, that they would consider paying me to continue doing the work I already do.

Week eight also marked a pivot point in my internship. I am now on the down hill end of my hours, as I have earning over half of my three hundred required hours. I cannot believe I have already reached this point. It is a truly bitter sweet moment.

More details about my day to day work can be found below. I look forward to another great week, and I am relieved to have a small break around the corner since Spring Break is approaching!

February 24, 2020

Monday morning was a slow morning. The food bank only had one volunteer walk in. The one volunteer and I helped to re-arrange the Food 2 Kids products that we store in the Volunteer Center at the food bank. This was not the most fun task, but it had to be done.

During the afternoon volunteer hours, we had a larger group of volunteers from the Agriculture Department at the University of Georgia. Before the group arrived, I organized an efficient plan for pulling the Rabun County Food 2 Kids order. This order consisted of several products that would be bagged in Rabun County and distributed to youth who experience food insecurity. Because I was prepared for the group, everything went smoothly!

Assignments

Re-organized the Food 2 Kids products in the Volunteer Center.
Organized a plan for the Rabun County Food 2 Kids pull order.
Lead a group of four volunteers in pulling half of the Rabun County order.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

February 25, 2020

Promptly after arriving, I was thrown into giving a tour to over forty middle schoolers from St. Joseph’s Catholic School. This was the largest group I have ever given a tour to! They really loved going outside and seeing our garden area, as well as getting to go into our large freezer in the warehouse. The kids’ enthusiasm over the little things brightened my day.

Later in the day, I reorganized our shipment of bread from local grocery stores that was to be bagged in separate Ziplock bags. These bags of bread were placed in bags of food for Food 2 Kids. After bagging bread, we had a family walk in to volunteer. The four kids helped me to set up the Food 2 Kids distribution line. They were very thorough with their counting, since we needed exactly seventy-one of each food product. I gave another tour to the family. The family also really loved the outside area and freezer!

Assignments

Gave a solo tour of the facility to approximately forty middle schoolers and their teachers from St. Joseph’s Catholic School.
Reorganized Bimbo brand bread towers.
Helped five volunteers, four children and their mother, set-up Food 2 Kids tables for early evening bagging.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

February 26, 2020

Wednesdays are my longest day at the food bank, since I work from 8:30 A.M. through 3:30 A.M. In the morning, I reorganized more bread, and also bagged more bread for the Food 2 Kids program. After that was done, I worked on bagging up the fresh bread products for the Fresh Bread program. These bags of fresh bread are picked up by different non-profit organizations in our shopping center.

There was one curve ball in the morning. A group of adults with disabilities from Advantage, a non-profit, came to volunteer; however, because they were not scheduled, we did not have an appropriate activity set up. I had to improvise. I had the group color on brown paper shopping bags that are used for the Senior Brown Bag program. This was a hit! I was initially worried, but it worked out really well. I was sure to politely inform the woman in charge of the group to schedule ahead with large groups before they left.

In the afternoon, I prepared the Volunteer Center for our large Wednesday evening group, UGA Food 2 Kids. I set up the Food 2 Kids distribution line and brought in sort and salvage for the group to do.

Assignments

Bagged Food 2 Kids bread from the Bimbo bread towers.
Bagged fresh bread for the Fresh Bread program.
Set-up and monitored activities for adults with disabilities from Advantage.
Prepared the Volunteer Center for UGA Food 2 Kids organization and sort and salvage.
Scheduled a group of volunteers to the volunteer calendar.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

February 27, 2020

Today was another day were I got to execute organization and leadership skills. I was entrusted with organizing another pull order plan, and leading volunteers in pulling the Senior Brown Bag orders for Oglethorpe County and Homer United Methodist Church. When we were pulling the order, a warehouse worker hit a shelving unit with a forklift. This error trapped the volunteers and me into a small area of the warehouse, since the shelving unit was about to topple over. The issue was quickly fixed, and everyone was safe.

After the volunteers left, I organized the volunteer calendar in Google calendar and also prepared for another group of volunteers. The second wave of volunteers helped to sort through medicine and medical supplies to be given to the community. The medicine was sorted into five categories: medical supplies, miscellaneous medicines, vitamins and supplements, protein powders, and cold and flu medicines. Once this job was complete, I cleaned the Volunteer Center and helped Bill Taylor, the interim Volunteer Manager, prepare for a large group of volunteers in the early evening group.

Assignments

Created and executed a plan to pull Senior Brown Bag orders for Oglethorpe and Homer United Methodist Church.
Lead volunteers in pulling the Senior Brown Bag orders above.
Created and organized volunteer calendar events.
Planned, executed, and lead volunteers in the organization of medicine and medical-related donations.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

Week Nine

The ninth week was a fun week, with a lot of diversity. I performed some of my typical weekly duties, such as fresh bread pick up, bread sorting, and Food 2 Kids set up. However, I also had the chance to assist in selecting a new staff member for the Volunteer Department. I was able to look through resumes and help select candidates. After selecting candidates from the resumes, I made phone calls to the selected few. I was able to sit in each of the three interviews, take notes, and ask questions.

By the end of the week we finally were able to select a new candidate! The new Volunteer Coordinator will be joining the team next week, and I am really excited to be a part of helping to train him.

March 2, 2020

Today was the day the Volunteer Department finally began its search for a new Volunteer Coordinator. The department has been flooded with volunteers and work. Much of the work has fallen only on Bill Taylor, the interim Volunteer Manager, and also myself. I helped Bill by searching and selecting the best resumes. After pulling the best three, we made phone calls and schedules interviews. The first interview ended up being on the same day!

The first candidate was great. He had everything we were looking for. We were off to a great start looking for our newest addition to the Volunteer Department.

Assignments

Assisted the Volunteer Manager, Bill Taylor, in looking through resumes of applicants for Volunteer Coordinator.
Scheduled three separate interviews.
Created a list of interview questions to ask potential candidates.
Sat in on the first interview for Volunteer Coordinator, took notes, and asked questions.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

March 3, 2020

The first assignment I helped with was leading two new volunteers in sorting fresh bread for the Fresh Bread program. I discussed the process and criteria with the volunteers, until they felt confident in handling the job on their own. Once the volunteers felt independent of bread sorting, I joined Bill Taylor and Sherry Anderson, Human Resources Manager, in interviewing a second candidate. This candidate was not as impressive as the first. She was very quiet and not as personable as is required by the job. We felt that the first candidate was still the strongest. However, we still had one more interview for the job to consider.

I was so excited to continuously be involved in the interview process, and have my opinion of the candidates truly matter.

Assignments

Bagged fresh bread for the Fresh Bread program with two volunteers.
Sat in on the second interview for Volunteer Coordinator, took notes, and asked questions.
Helped prepare for a Food 2 Kids evening bagging.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

March 4, 2020

Wednesday is always a very busy day for me at the food bank because it is my longest day. I started my day by doing the bread run. I stopped by Panera Bread, Athens Bagel Company, and Big City Bread. I brought the bread back to the food bank, and weighed and recorded the donations for the Fresh Bread program. Once recorded, the volunteers present helped sort the product. Again, as soon as the volunteers were confident on their own, I left to sit in on the third and final interview.

This interview was the most anticipated because the candidate was highly qualified. We were very impressed by his resume and past work. However, after meeting him, it was determined he was not the best personality fit for the job. Also, the first candidate was still on our minds. He was just such a great fit!

Once the interview had concluded, I helped afternoon volunteers with preparing for Food 2 Kids bagging and cleaning the Volunteer Center. We also had a man with disabilities and his two assistance help label fresh bread bags. I was prepared and ensured they had everything they needed to help volunteer.

Assignments

Picked up the fresh bread donations from local businesses for the Fresh Bread program.
Led a group of volunteers in fresh bread bagging for the Fresh Bread Program.
Sat in on the third interview for Volunteer Coordinator, took notes, and asked questions.
Led one volunteer in Food 2 Kids preparations for the evening group of volunteers from UGA Food 2 Kids.
Created bread bag labels.
Cleaned the volunteer center.
Answered voicemails, made phone calls, and scheduled groups on the calendar.

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.

March 5, 2020

Today was a very physical day. I led a group of volunteers from Habitat for Humanity in bagging brown bags for the Senior Brown Bag program. These bags were for Seeing You Through God’s Eyes (SYTGE). This is a non-profit group in Winder, Georgia. We pulled the order from the back warehouse as a group, then brought the order to the Volunteer Center for bagging.

After that, we moved forward to sorting bread from local grocery stores. This bread was placed in large totes to be taken to Mobile Pantries in the area. Lastly, I gave a tour of the facility! I love giving tours. I was complimented and told I have a great voice, similar to a teacher! I was flattered.

Assignments

Created and executed a plan to pull Senior Brown Bag orders for Seeing You Through God’s Eyes (SYTGE) non-profit located in Winder, Georgia.
Lead volunteers from Habitat for Humanity in pulling the Senior Brown Bag orders above.
Sorted bread for Mobile Pantries

Responsibilities and Competencies

Responsibility I, Competency C: Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well-being.
Responsibility III, Competency A: Initiate a plan of action.
Responsibility III, Competency B: Demonstrate a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs.
Responsibility V, Competency A: Exercise organizational leadership.
Responsibility V, Competency B: Manage human resources.
Responsibility VII, Competency B: Apply a variety of communication methods and techniques.
Responsibility VII, Competency C: Promote health education professionally and collectively.