Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, we’re one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, Nourishing Hope will provide about 200,000 food and social services to our Chicago neighbors.

Position Summary

The part time Program Coordinator supports and ensures a fair and organized system for Nourishing Hope’s food distribution programs. This position serves as a liaison for pantry clients and supports all aspects of procurement, storage and distribution of goods. 

Schedule and Locations

This position will be based primarily at the Sheridan Market, 3945 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago, and may be cross-trained to support all food programs across Nourishing Hope’s four locations.

The work schedule is Monday and Saturday, with the option to work other shifts. Schedules with site locations will be established quarterly. This position is fully onsite.

Essential Job Functions

• Within a culture of respect for our clients, distribute food according to Nourishing Hope, state, and federal guidelines.
• Act as the frontline point of contact for clients, providing assistance, guidance, and support as needed.
• Manage client expectations regarding wait times, service availability, and any other pertinent information, ensuring transparency and clarity.
• Collect, store and package food according to pantry, state, and federal guidelines.
• In partnership with the food acquisition team, manage ongoing food donor relationships. 
• Support inventory and relationships with The Greater Chicago Food Depository, U.S.D.A., F.E.M.A and other partners.
• Maintain pantry site sanitation that meets or exceeds government and monitoring agencies’ standards.
• Train and supervise volunteers to assist with food distribution.
• Produce necessary reports required by supervisor, donors, and government agencies.
• Create and track benchmarks of the program’s success, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Act as an ambassador for the mission of Nourishing Hope to the larger community.

Qualifications 

Required

• High School diploma/GED, college degree preferred.
• 2-5 years work experience in social services, customer service, or grocery 
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly and push/pull up to 100 pounds using manual carts and dollies.
• Strong technology skills including:

• • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
  • Ability to use and maintain Salesforce client database.

• Familiarity with issues that are common among the population served including, but not limited to, homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, mental and physical disability, and the elderly.
• Ability to obtain and maintain food service sanitation certification in accordance with municipal and state laws.
• Ability to handle an occasional volatile situation calmly, professionally and respectfully. Experience in Non-violent Crisis Intervention techniques is preferred.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. 
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Highly Preferred

• Bilingual (Spanish)
• Valid drivers license, clean driving record and ability to drive a van. 

Pay and Benefits

Hourly rate: $21.75 per hour

Full-time benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Paid birthday holiday
• Parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Language pay (Spanish, Russian, Polish)
• $250 employee referral bonus
• Free subscription to mental wellness app

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.

We kindly ask that agencies and recruiters refrain from reaching out. Unsolicited sales messages will be blocked and reported as spam.