Volunteers needed for Serve the City’s Food Parcel Service

As part of STC’s response to COVID-19, they have launched new food parcel packing and distribution service in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown which is providing support in various locations across south Dublin. At the moment they are looking to fill a few very specific volunteer roles which are listed below:

  • Role 1: Delivery drivers for Monday morning (1-3 volunteers needed) – ideally with access to a van
    We need one or more volunteers drivers to pick-up food supplies in the Dún Laoghaire area and drop it off at to our Packing and Distribution Centre in Ballybrack Scout Den. Specific requirements for this role:

    • You are able to take on a physical and strenuous volunteer role. This role involves heavy lifting as the volunteer will be packing and unpacking supplies into their vehicle therefore we are asking that only people able for this to opt in.
    • Access to your own large vehicle (and relevant licence/insurance). Food supplies are expected to exceed 250kg so the ideal volunteer would have access to their own transit or panel van to use for this volunteer role. Next best, we’re hoping to involve a few volunteers with larger multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs, estate cars or similar)
    • You are able to commit to volunteering on Monday morning – either each Monday OR on a rotation basis e.g. every second or third Monday. The times and day may vary slightly (bank holidays, stock availability etc.) but we expect pick-ups to typically to happen on Mondays at 11am.

  • Role 2: Food parcel delivery drivers for Tuesday afternoons (4 volunteers needed) – access to a van or large car required
    We need three volunteer drivers to help distribute food parcels across Dún Laoghaire, Ballybrack and Tallaght on Tuesday afternoons. You will pick up food parcels at our Packing and Distribution Centre in Ballybrack at 2pm and drop packs to families along a designated route. Specific requirements for this role:

    • Access to your own large vehicle (and relevant licence/insurance). Food parcels are bulky so ideally you have access to a multi-purpose vehicles while volunteering (SUVs, estate cars or similar).
    • You are able to commit to commit to volunteer on Tuesday afternoons over the coming week. The times for this volunteer role may vary slightly but pick-up of food parcels will typically take place at 2pm.

  • Role 3: Food parcel packing volunteers for Tuesday mornings (4 stand-by volunteers needed)
    We need four volunteers who are available in the coming weeks to assist with food parcel preparation in our Packing and Distribution Centre in Ballybrack. Please note that right now this is a reserve volunteer role but we expect to call on stand-by volunteers over the coming weeks as more people are recalled to work. Packing typically takes place from 11am.

To express your interest in one of the above roles…

If you’re interested in one of these roles, we need you to reply to placement@volunteerdlr.ie with the following details:

  • State the role that is of interest to you (1, 2 or 3)
  • Your availability as it relates to the role
  • Your mode of transport (please be specific if you have access to a van / MPV)
  • Your current mobile number
  • Your Eircode
  • A copy of a photographic ID like your Drivers License or Passport. Please note, this doesn’t need to be a scan or physical copy, you can simply take a photo of your ID and attach it to your email.

This call for support is time sensitive and as there are a limited number of volunteers needed, we will be prioritising referral of first suitable applicants to return the relevant details.

About Serve the City

As a volunteer-led community initiative, the aim of Serve the City is simply to meet the practical needs of people in our community. We seek to bring support to those who need it through a variety of service projects. During COVID-19 we demonstrate care within the community through community call projects involving grocery shopping, food parcel delivery, distribution of PPE as well as packing food parcels. We are part of an international movement of Serve the City organisations in over 50 cities worldwide. Our core values actively guide our work: humility, compassion, respect, courage, love and hope. Read more in our strategic plan – Volunteers Serving Communities.

Additional details

  • What’s required for these positions?

    • A genuine interest in the welfare of vulnerable people
    • The ability to follow directions and agreed guidelines/protocols
    • Good spoken and written English
    • A caring, understanding and friendly attitude
    • To be patient, reliable and have good listening and communication skills
    • To be non-judgemental and respect the confidentiality of the vulnerable person and of all records that you come into contact with
    • The ability to prioritise your own wellbeing and self-care
    • Own mode of transport and a clean driver’s license if a vehicle
    • Complete Garda vetting with Serve The City, even if you are already vetted

  • General volunteer tasks associated with the Ballybrack Food Parcel Service

    • To assist with the packing and delivery of food parcels for vulnerable people
    • To be flexible around travelling to and from locations
    • To log support requests if the vulnerable person needs any further additional support
    • To complete training and follow the volunteer guidelines throughout your time as a volunteer
    • To follow HSE guidelines around social distancing, good hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette as well as HSE guidelines for use when dropping off food parcels or shopping. These will be supplied to you with each assignment
    • To participate in check in calls with the STC Administrator in order to discuss any issues and address challenges with your role
    • To be adaptable and flexible within the role which may change over time
    • To stay up to date with official Covid-19 information from trusted sources and those provided by the Community Response Forum
    • To work as a member of a team with other volunteers and participate effectively as required
  • Screening details for this role:

    • Completion of volunteer registration form on website
    • ID Check
    • Informal Interview
    • Garda Vetting

  • Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:

    • Named Supervisor
    • Induction, including protocols, hand hygiene and HSE guidelines
    • Insurance cover
    • Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
    • Appropriate PPE equipmentYour Content Goes Here

  • Benefits you will receive as a volunteer

    • The opportunity to make a real impact to the lives of vulnerable people during a public
      health emergency
    • Initial and ongoing training
    • Insights and understanding about social inclusion issues
    • Opportunity to develop your leadership skills
    • A chance to be part of the wider STC volunteer community