Neighborhood Coordinator Information
Job Description
- Time Commitment: 2 hours per month
- Description: Point person in a neighborhood or on a street for monthly food drives. Our 125+ Neighborhood Coordinators representing our active neighborhoods in Chapel Hill and Carrboro spread the word about the designated day for the food drives, pick up donations from neighborhood porches, and transport the bags of food to a central location.
FAQs
When are the PORCH pick-up days? Is there flexibility? –
PORCH’s monthly food pick-ups are typically on Sundays and Mondays. (See Sort Dates here.) Due to work or family commitments, some Neighborhood Coordinators prefer to pick up food donations during the weekend prior to PORCH Mondays. That is absolutely fine!
PORCH tries to be as flexible as possible with the schedule, knowing that Neighborhood Coordinators are often handling the food pick-ups in between a million and one other tasks.
Where do we drop off the food? –
If you are delivering food on PORCH Sundays or Mondays (see our sort dates here), please drop off at the PORCH Community Hub (202 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro). Please drive around back of the building to have your car unloaded.
What time should we drop off the food? –
Food may be dropped off at the PORCH Community Hub (202 South Greensboro Street in Carrboro) on PORCH Sundays from 12-6pm and PORCH Mondays from 8:30-11AM. See our full list of drop-off dates.
What kinds of foods are needed the most? –
Our greatest food donation needs are canned meat, healthy snacks, and low-sugar cereal. Here some other foods we provide families that you can donate:
- Cans of soup and stew
- Cans of fruits of all kinds (low sugar, if possible)
- Cans of vegetables of all kinds (low sodium, if possible)
- Dried pasta and pasta sauce
- Single-serving prepared meals (such as Hormel)
- Plastic containers of peanut butter and jelly
- 1 lb bags of rice (white or brown)
- Macaroni & cheese
Please check the expiration dates on all donated foods.
How do I get a PORCH yard sign and car magnets? –
All marketing items may be picked up at the PORCH Community Hub on donation drop-off days. You can also email chc@porchcommunities.org, and we’ll be sure to get the items to you.
How can I get more participation in my neighborhood? –
If you noticed there is an ebb in food donations from your neighborhood, here are some tips for increasing the flow:
- Once a year, send an email to all of your neighbors reminding them about this very simple way to participate in local hunger relief.
- Go door-to-door with PORCH brochures that include your contact information. We are happy to provide these materials.
- After each neighborhood drive, add a personal note to PORCH’s thank you email, recognizing your neighbors’ loyal participation. Pictures are a nice addition, too.
- From time to time, consider handwritten thank you notes to generous neighborhood donors.
- Put out your PORCH yard sign(s) each month. Two or three days before the scheduled pick-ups, this can remind neighbors that it’s time to purchase a few extra items at the grocery store to help restock the shelves of local pantries.
- If someone is new to the neighborhood, be sure to introduce yourself and tell them about PORCH!
- Reach out to us! We will brainstorm with you so that you can gain momentum in this vital work you are doing.
What do longtime Neighborhood Coordinators say about this role? –
We have interviewed several of our Neighborhood Coordinators and told their stories on our blog. Some links:
You can learn more about the crucial role of Neighborhood Coordinator by watching this five-minute video.
