Home-Delivered Groceries
Home delivery volunteers commit to regularly delivering nutritious groceries to our senior and homebound clients.
This opportunity is a hands-on activity and is open to individuals who are at least 18-years old, can pass a background check, and can provide proof of auto insurance and a valid CA driver’s license. You will use your own vehicle, mileage, and gas to deliver groceries.
As a home delivery volunteer, you will work at one of our pantry locations (located in Van Nuys and the Pico-Robertson area) and help prepare food for delivery. You will load boxes, so you must be able to lift 35 pounds. You must follow a pre-established route, follow food safety and COVID-19 health guidelines, and have excellent client service skills that include a desire to interact with older clients or clients with disabilities.
You must clear a background check before your first shift volunteering as a home delivery driver.
Information for your first shift
What should I expect?
Volunteers will deliver food to homes of seniors and other homebound clients using their own vehicles, mileage, and gas. Activities may include helping prepare food for delivery at the distribution site. Heavy lifting – a minimum of 35 pounds – will be required.
Your health and safety is a top priority. Wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing will be expected for the safety of all. Please maintain six feet of distance from other volunteers and clients.
What should I wear and bring?
- Volunteers must bring and wear a face mask.
- Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear depending on weather. If needed, bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats.
- Please tie back long hair.
- Bring water and snacks. It can get very hot and volunteering involves physical activity. Come prepared so you can keep up your energy!
- If available, please bring a hand cart or small wagon to help you deliver boxes.
What if I need to cancel?
Please carefully review your schedule prior to taking a volunteer shift. Cancellations and no shows directly impact our ability to provide the nutritious food our community members need. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please email fresnick@jfsla.org, if possible, at least one week in advance.
What else do I need to know?
Delivery drivers must follow their pre-established route, exercise good judgment, have consistent attendance and keep good communication with their site lead/delivery coordinator. Most importantly, volunteers should have excellent client service skills that include a desire to interact with older and/or clients with disabilities.
Other things to know:
- The minimum age to volunteer as a home delivery driver is 18.
- Volunteers must provide proof of auto insurance and a valid CA driver’s license.
- Jewish Family Service LA is not responsible for your valuables, so please leave all valuables in the trunk of your car.
- Please email Felice Resnick, JFS SOVA Coordinator of Volunteers at fresnick@jfsla.org with any other questions about volunteering at JFS SOVA Community Food & Resource Center
- Please email Joyce M. Williams, JFS Director of Volunteer Services at jmwilliams@jfsla.org with questions about volunteering at other JFS programs
To apply, please fill out our volunteer application here.