Graduate Assistant L4L Food for Thought Pantry

Duties and Responsibilities

The Food for Thought (F4T) Graduate Assistant experience provides students with an opportunity to:

Help L4L manage food pantry operations: 

• Opening/closing procedures; 
• maintain a clean, organized, and safe pantry environment in accordance with food safety guidelines; 
• support stocking, restocking, and rotation of food, hygiene items, and household supplies; 
• welcome pantry visitors, ensure a respectful and confidential experience; 
• track student utilization and submit regular usage reports

Inventory & Data Management:

• Conduct weekly inventory counts and alert staff when to place food orders; 
• receive food shipments and donations; 
• log, store, and organize items appropriately; use pantry data systems to monitor trends and identify supply needs; 
• support the development of assessment tools (surveys, feedback forms) to improve services.

Student Support & Referrals:

• Provide basic resource navigation to students seeking food assistance or related services; 
• connect students to Learning for Life (L4L) Navigators for additional support, such as SNAP benefits, emergency funds, campus resources, or community referrals; 
• maintain student privacy and uphold all FERPA and confidentiality guidelines

Coordination & Student Staff Support:

• Assist in training, scheduling, and supervising undergraduate student workers and volunteers;
• model professional, compassionate customer service and teamwork;
• promote a positive and supportive culture within the pantry and lounge.

Outreach, Events, & Communications:

• Help plan and support food drives, holiday basket programs, tabling events, and awareness campaigns;
• create flyers, social media content, and campus communications to promote pantry services;
• build partnerships across campus with student groups, academic departments, and staff/faculty supporters.
• Attend Navigator Training, biweekly All Staff Meeting (every other Friday morning, 9-11 am), and perform other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

• Accepted graduate degree candidate enrolled in the plan of study.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to accept some direction but also be a self- starter
• Background in human services and/or education (preferred but not required)
• Efficient time management skills
• Desire to work with and support college students, as well as collaborate with campus and community organizational partners
• Strong verbal and written skills
• Proficiency in basic computer applications
• Strong respect and desire to support diverse and inclusive communities

Learning Opportunities:

The Food for Thought (F4T) Graduate Assistant experience provides students with an opportunity to:

• Engage in program and event development and implementation.
• Support the student workers in the pantry.
• Engage in policy development.
• Work in collaboration with peers, staff, and faculty as well as community partners.
• Develop a global understanding as they interact with students from diverse life experiences, including socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, race, gender, and sexual identities, ability, etc.
• Practice written and oral communications through documentation, policy, and/or grant writing, pantry materials development, and presentations across campus and in the community on food insecurity among college students.

How to Apply

Along with the Graduate Assistant Application and resume, candidates should also send a letter describing their qualifications for and interest in the position to L4L Director, Daniel Reyes.