This is your source for volunteer news, program updates, opportunities, and events. Best of all, it's where we can highlight YOU, and the amazing work Manna volunteers accomplish! |
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Location: Manna Food Project
Tuesday, July 20th - 11:00am-1:00pm
Come join us to reunite with staff and fellow volunteers while enjoying sandwiches, cookies and a few good laughs.
This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate coming together once again after such a long time apart and for us to show our appreciation for YOU and all our dedicated volunteers. We are excited to see your smiling faces. During this event, you will also meet our newest Volunteer Coordinator, Matthew Flickema.
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Welcome Volunteer Coordinator
Matthew Flickema
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Matthew's first day was July 7th, he is a 20 plus year resident of Petoskey Michigan and a graduate of Michigan State University. Before joining Manna, he started his career as an administrative coordinator in Government Relations, followed by working as an executive with the Boy Scouts of America. Matthew resides in the Walloon Lake area near his family. He is a proud uncle of triplets. His hobbies include winter activities, hiking, camping, and enjoying Northern Michigan summers.
“I find immense joy in participating with Manna’s volunteers. Working with mission-oriented people and moving towards a common goal is exciting" said Matthew.
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Volunteer Program Updates |
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We know many of you are eager to participate in Manna's mission, we hope to welcome you back soon. Our programs have not fully opened at this point but as we reopen more volunteer opportunities will become available. We are still limiting group sizes and asking everyone to take proper safety precautions. You may contact Matthew Flickema the Volunteer Coordinator to check program opportunities.
Programs
- Manna’s Food Rescue Program
- Volunteer drivers and riders are needed to pick up surplus food items from area businesses and grocery stores.
- “Food 4 Kids” Backpack Program
- Starting in September 2021, volunteers will be needed to pack backpacks and drivers and riders will be needed to deliver backpacks to area schools.
- Manna Community Food Pantry is a Client Choice curbside service.
- Each pantry day requires one volunteer for client registration, parking lot assistants, client shoppers, and food counter assistants.
In a year filled with challenges and changes for all organizations, you ensured that Manna continued its mission to feed families in northern Michigan with your ongoing support. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity and mission. When the need was the greatest, you helped Manna step up to the task.
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Volunteer Responsibilities
- Though the mask mandate has been lifted by MDHHS, masks will be available near the door for volunteers who choose to wear masks.
- Since we work with an at-risk population, if you have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive case within the past 10 days, have fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, or other symptoms of COVID-19, please refrain from volunteering for 10 days regardless of vaccination status.
- Anyone who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 will be politely asked to leave and encouraged to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
- Volunteers should wash their hands upon entry and follow good hygiene practices (such as wearing gloves while packing produce, social distancing, and sanitizing hands and workspaces frequently) while at our facility.
- In the case of possible or confirmed COVID-19 exposure, Manna will follow the current MDHHS guidelines for reporting.
Individual and Group Volunteering
- To ensure a rewarding, safe, and enjoyable experience, all individuals and groups are asked to schedule volunteer shifts in advance. Currently, walk-in volunteer opportunities are unavailable.
- Please let Manna staff members know your preference and comfort level working with others before you scheduled shift.
- Currently, groups are limited to 10 individuals, including children, for each work area, and groups working in the repack room are limited to 4 individuals.
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Since many of us still find ourselves with extra time on our hands, you can use it to complete some short trainings online. These trainings covering Food Safety and Civil Rights are from Feeding America and are highly recommended for all food bank or food pantry volunteers/staff.
Manna strives to provide volunteers with meaningful opportunities to engage in our mission, matching volunteer interests and abilities to our needs. To that end, we periodically suggest volunteers to complete training sessions on topics related to our food assistance programs.
By keeping everyone properly trained:
- Our volunteers feel knowledgeable, comfortable, and confident in their roles.
- We maintain a safe and positive environment for everyone.
- We ensure the food we distribute is safe to eat.
- We fulfill our mission in the most effective and efficient way possible.
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Golf Fore Manna
Save the Date
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Thank you to Phil Millard & Todd Petersen for their incredible service on the Manna Food Project's Board of Directors.
Phil Millard joined Manna’s Board of Directors in July 2015. He is a frequent volunteer at Manna and enjoys assisting in food rescue runs, backpack deliveries, and special community events such as our Golf Outing.
Todd has been a volunteer and member of the Manna Board of Directors since 2012. Working at Manna provides Todd an opportunity to help those in need and to spend time with some very special people.
Both gentlemen have been exemplary members of Manna's Board of Directors, leading them to be chosen for our July volunteer spotlight.
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