SNAP-Education Volunteer Position Description
Position Title: OSU Extension SNAP-Education Volunteer
Time Commitment: Attend 3+ hour training session
At least 1 year of service, minimum of 10 hours
Attend at least 1 planning meeting, offered quarterly
Roles of the SNAP-Education Volunteer Position:
The volunteer will help extend the OSU Extension Service Nutrition Education Program to
SNAP Benefit-eligible youth and adults. Volunteers will bring a healthy recipe to sample at each
food pantry visit to improve the likelihood that individuals will make healthy food and lifestyle
choices. This impact is two-fold: volunteers are understood to be a resource for food knowledge,
firstly, and able to share this knowledge in a warm, accessible manner. After volunteering for 10
hours at the food pantries, volunteers can choose to get involved assisting OSU Extension staff at
education events for SNAP Benefit-eligible adults and youth or continue at their pantry site.
The following are some topics included in the training program: Dietary Guidelines, Nutrients &
Food Labels, and Food Safety.
SNAP-Education Volunteer Responsibilities Include:
Attend the SNAP-Education Volunteer training
Prepare quick and healthy Food Hero recipes (www.foodhero.org) and share samples at
Food Pantries in Coos County
Assist OSU Extension faculty and staff deliver information on food and nutrition as well
as related subject matter to adults and youth.
Maintain a current food handlers card.
Maintain paperwork and evaluation materials provided for volunteer service.
Use research-based information provided or approved by the OSU Extension Service.
Obey all laws of the locality, state, and nation, including those related to use of illegal
substances to use of firearms.
Skills and Abilities Needed:
Interest and/or desire to work with a variety of people.
Experience in food shopping and nutritious meal planning.
Empathy for individuals and families with limited food resources.
Willingness to follow recommendations of Oregon State University Extension Service
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and the desire to improve skills for
communicating with small groups.
Ability to ask questions and seek appropriate information from an approved research
base.
Availability for the training session and consistent involvement with a food pantry site or
educational events with OSU Extension staff.
Ability to provide own transportation.
Benefits of becoming a SNAP-Education Volunteer:
Increase knowledge and understanding of the USDA Dietary Guidelines, meal planning
and preparation, and food safety.
Learn how to adapt teaching methods to audience and use a variety of teaching materials.
Receive research-based information and resources.
Gain work experience.
Become a member of a working team, make new friends, and provide a valuable service
to people in your community.
Gain leadership skills.
Receive community recognition as a volunteer.
How do you become a SNAP-Education Volunteer?
Turn your application into the Coos County OSU Extension office where your application will be reviewed and
you will be contacted to have an in-person conversation with the program coordinator. If selected, applicants
complete a 3+ hour training course in Nutrition Education. Upon completion of the course, volunteers must
shadow at least one pantry site before setting up their own pantry location and time.
This material was funded in part by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program of USDA. SNAP puts
healthy food within reach - call Oregon SafeNet at 1-800-723-3638. In accordance with Federal law and U.S.
Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
employer.
2011 Oregon State University. OSU Extension Service cooperating. OSU Extension Service offers educational
programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
national origin, age, marital status, disability, or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status. OSU Extension
Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Oregon State University Extension Service
SNAP-Education Volunteer
Training Program Application
Materials will be made available in large print, Braille, on audiotape, computer disk, verbally or other formats, upon
request. Contact your local Extension office.
First Name Middle Last
Address Apt. # or P. O. Box
City County State Zip code
/ / /
Home Phone Best time to call Work Phone Best time to call
_______________________________ / ______________________ / _____________________
E-mail Occupation Employer
Check one: Female Male Race or ethnic group:
White (non-Hispanic) Hispanic
Black (non-Hispanic) Asian or Pacific Islander
American Indian/Alaska Native
Food Handlers Card: Yes ___ No ___ Card No. Expires:
Describe any past volunteer experience (organization that you worked with, time period, type of audience,
activities): ___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
References (employer, minister, etc. not family members/relatives) Please include complete mailing address:
1. Name: ____________________________Home phone: ___________ Work phone:__________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
City State Zip
2. Name: ____________________________Home phone: ___________ Work phone:__________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
City State Zip
Currently my skills are in the following areas: (X all that apply)
Artwork / Calligraphy Organize / Catalog Resources
Camera / Video Public relations / Marketing
Clerical / Office / Filing Recipe testing
Computer _______________________ Teaching groups
Cooking demonstrations Youth*
Developing teaching materials Adult
Food preparation Seniors
Food preservation Other:
Foreign language(s) Other skills, interests or hobbies:
Leadership / Management
Master Gardener (MG) * Criminal Background Check Required OAR 580-
Newsletter / Writing 023
How often are you interested in volunteering?
Weekly Bi-weekly Monthly Quarterly
Please check all the days and times you are currently available for volunteering:
Day of Week Morning Afternoon Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Are there any limitations that might prevent you from accepting some volunteer assignments?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Why are you interested in volunteering with our program?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Have you had previous training or education in food, nutrition, food safety and/or food
preparation skills? If yes, where and when?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What experiences have you had working with people? Please include examples of teaching,
informal sharing of information, public speaking, and other related skills acquired through
employment or volunteer work.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
This material was funded in part by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program of USDA. SNAP puts
healthy food within reach - call Oregon SafeNet at 1-800-723-3638. In accordance with Federal law and U.S.
Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
2008 Oregon State University. This material was partially funded by USDA's Food Stamp
employer.
program.
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