VISTA, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger

Posted by on June 26, 2004

Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger/ SHARE Food – (Listing ID: PA314613-4)

2901 W. Hunting Park Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19129
<a href="http://www.hungercoalition.org">http://www.hungercoalition.org</a>

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger?s mission is to fight hunger through education, outreach, and advocacy. We support and empower largely urban emergency food programs while advocating for policies that would help to eliminate hunger altogether. We therefore offer a unique opportunity to work at the grassroots level to address system-wide hunger issues. The Coalition is involved in a Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign, a USDA funded campaign that trains volunteers to help low-income clients determine their food stamp eligibility and assist them in the application process. We also sponsor large annual events, such as the World Food Day celebration in October and the Walk Against Hunger in April, a public awareness and grassroots empowerment event that draws over 3,000 participants (see <A HREF="">http://www.hungerwalk.org</A> for more details). Every month, we hold a First Tuesday roundtable open to all emergency feeding programs to facilitate skill-development and resource-sharing. These programs and much more are cranked out of a small close-knit office convenient to public transportation. VISTA volunteers will be involved in all aforementioned programs with many opportunities for new projects, creativity, and skill-development. Experience with anti-hunger work is not as necessary as a self-starting attitude and the willingness to dive in. One position is currently available as a Food Stamp Advocate. The Food Stamp Advocate will be involved largely in the Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign and will have the valuable opportunity to meet local community members, understand the reality of hunger on the ground, and implement their own ideas to effect change.

The Food Stamp Advocate will assist with ongoing work in the Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign. He/she will have the opportunity to learn food stamp rules and procedures, with the goal of supervising and assisting student volunteers in client advocacy. This VISTA will work with Coalition volunteers and staff to improve the quality of experience that food stamp clients have at local County Assistance Offices.

Service Area: Community Outreach, Hunger
Length of Tour: 11 month(s)
Age Requirement:Minimum: 18 Maximum: None
Skill Requirement(s): General Skills, Communications, Outreach
Education Requirement: Bachelor Degree
Language Requirement:
Program Benefits: Choice of education award or stipend, Health Coverage, Living Allowance, Relocation Allowance, Training

For more information, please contact Karen Wilson at 215-430-0555 or kwilson@hungercoalition.org.