Food Drive Volunteer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Harvest Hope Food Bank

Embark on a fulfilling journey at Harvest Hope Food Bank, where your talents play a vital role in our mission to end hunger. As the largest hunger-relief organization in South Carolina, serving 20 counties, we annually distribute 30 million pounds of food across the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Upstate regions. Our dynamic nonprofit values innovation, collaboration, and diversity, offering a uniquely rewarding experience for employees dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their communities. Join our dedicated team in building a hunger-free tomorrow through active engagement with nearly 400 partner agencies. Together, we strive to address food insecurity and positively impact lives across the state.

Position Overview

The Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for recruiting, coordinating, and stewarding volunteers and community partners to support Harvest Hope Food Bank's programs, special events, and food drive initiatives. This role manages relationships with volunteer groups and food drive partners, including schools, faith communities, businesses, civic organizations, advocacy groups, and individual volunteers, to ensure sufficient volunteer capacity and food resources to meet organizational needs.

This position blends volunteer recruitment, community engagement, and food drive coordination through a portfolio-based approach focused on relationship building, participation growth, and measurable outcomes.

This full-time position at our Midlands (Columbia) Branch involves extended desk work, frequent computer use, and occasional daytime travel. Good vision, mobility, and awareness of warehouse hazards are essential.

• Recruits, schedules, and coordinates volunteers to support warehouse operations, community food distributions, emergency food pantries, special events, and in-office needs.
• Maintains relationships with current volunteer groups, corporate partners, schools, faith communities, advocacy groups and individual volunteers.
• Identifies and secures new volunteer partners to ensure adequate volunteer coverage.
• Coordinates and conducts volunteer orientations and provides on-site support for volunteer activities.
• Supervises volunteer groups during service activities, including corporate, family, and special-needs groups.
• Assists with developing and maintaining volunteer position descriptions.
• Supports volunteer recognition and appreciation efforts.
• Maintains accurate volunteer records and tracking information.

Community Food Drive Engagement

• Manages a portfolio of community food drive partners and prospects, including schools, churches, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations.
• Develops food drive plans and engagement strategies to increase participation and pounds of food raised.
• Coordinates food drive logistics, including scheduling, communication, and pickup arrangements in collaboration with Operations staff.
• Provides guidance, materials, and support to food drive partners.
• Tracks food drive activity and outcomes, including pounds collected and partner engagement.
• Works to retain and grow food drive partners year over year.

Community Outreach & Engagement

• Represents Harvest Hope Food Bank at community events, presentations, and outreach opportunities.
• Conducts tours and site visits for volunteers, food drive partners, and community groups following approved messaging and training.
• Serves as a community ambassador for Harvest Hope Food Bank's mission and programs.
• Collaborates with Development, Programs, and Communications teams to support community engagement initiatives.

Reporting & Coordination

• Maintains accurate records and logs related to volunteers and food drive partners.
• Provides regular reports on volunteer activity, food drive performance, and engagement outcomes.
• Supports cross-functional planning to align volunteer and food drive efforts with organizational needs.
• Participates in post-event evaluations to improve volunteer and food drive experiences.

Other Responsibilities

• Assists with special events, tours, and community engagement activities as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in volunteer coordination, community engagement, nonprofit operations, or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and events in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to motivate and give instruction to diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends as needed.
• Ability to clearly articulate Harvest Hope Food Bank's mission.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel within the service area.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
This position involves a combination of office work, frequent computer use, and regular time in warehouse environments with forklift traffic and varying temperatures. The role requires mobility, the ability to lift up to 30 pounds, and frequent daytime travel. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support volunteer groups, food drives, or special events

Thrive

SOME OF THE VAST REWARDS OF WORKING HERE

As we work to eliminate hunger throughout, we state, we also work to care for our teams' professional and personal growth and well-being.

• Full support and career development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise and maximize your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates empower each other.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan - comprising health, finance, and wealth work/life balance.
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Annual Leave - the longer you work here, the more you earn.

Harvest Hope Food Bank is an equal opportunity employer. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain and promote a talented diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential.