Volunteering at Hope Clinic - Walk Up Groceries at the Farm Stand

Volunteers should dress for the weather. The garage door will stay open during your full shift.

WALK UP GROCERIES – Monday 9:30-12, Thursday 12:30-3, Sat 11-12:30  (volunteer shift starts 30 minutes prior for set up time)

Summary: Though clients are able to make a Pantry Appointment and take home 6-8 bags of groceries, oftentimes people need a few more staple items to bridge the gap from appointment to appointment. Walk-up groceries at the Farm Stand allow clients to shop for items they need most. Volunteers will check in and shop with clients. It is important that volunteers also promote pantry appointments, and inform clients on how to sign up by calling 734-484-2989.  

 
Arrival: 

  • Check in – When you arrive for your shift, please head to the Hope Clinic Farm Stand, 454 Harriet St.  

  • If you are the first to arrive, try entering through the side door. If it is locked, lift up the garage door at the front of the building. Close the garage and keep it closed until you are ready for clients to arrive. 

  • Sign in on the volunteer check in sheet.  

Shift Preparation   

  • Take a look at the Farm Stand as a whole. If it needs to be swept, or there are stray boxes lying around, take a few moments to tidy up. Brooms are in the back closet.  

  • Pull produce out of the fridge and arrange it nicely on the table. Any produce or bread you find can be given out that day.  

Distribution 

  • During distribution, there are 2 main roles for volunteers to fulfill. 

  • Greeter: This volunteer will welcome clients to the Farm Stand and explain what is being offered.  

  • This volunteer should be comfortable with explaining how to make a Pantry Appointment, and know the Food Program’s schedule. Printed schedules are available.  

  • Log the client’s visit in Link2Feed. A staff person will set you up with a laptop so that you can record each client’s visit. If the client is not in the system, ask them to fill out a paper intake form. They only need to fill out the highlighted information. (See Link2Feed instructions below)  

  • Shoppers: These volunteers will assist clients as they shop.  

  • As a shopper, you will help clients pack their bags, explain quantity limits, and mention that certain items can be obtained at a Pantry Appointment. 

  • Guests may have 2-3 of any non-perishable items and all they can use of perishables.  

  • Remember: meat, dairy, and personal care items can all be found during Pantry Appointments. 

Tidy up and sign out    

  • When your shift is done, tidy up the Farm Stand by collecting carts, putting bags away, and straightening items on shelves.  

  • Wipe down all tables at the end of your shift, and sweep if needed. 

  • Lock the garage door and the outside door if you can. If not, let the front desk know and it will be locked for you. 

    Logging Client Visits in Link2Feed  

  • Go to Client Intake when you reach the opening screen inside Link2Feed, click “Client Intake”  

  • "Search for clients by...” Scroll down a little bit and you’ll find the “search for clients” bar. Searching by date of birth is often the easiest way to do this, but sometimes birthdays are incorrect in the system, so if you can’t find the person, try searching by name. As you type, potential clients should pop up, and you can select them from the drop-down menu. You may request that a client hand you identification to make it easier to look up their DOB or name, however identification is NOT required.  

  • Update Profile if necessary Periodically, each profile needs to be reviewed. If necessary, confirm with the client that all their information is up to date by clicking through the prompts that Link2Feed gives you.  

  • Log the Visit On the top, scroll to the right to “Services” and click.  

  • Click “TEFAP Emergency Visit” .  It often it takes a few seconds to load after you click this button.  

  • Select Reason and Save The date of the visit will populate automatically, the only thing you need to select is “Reason for Visit”. The various eligibility requirements are posted on the window. Everyone is eligible under  #1 “Need Eligible for TEFAP/USDA”  even if they are not eligible based on the other criteria. Then scroll down and hit save.  

  • Record Your Next Visitor Once you hit save, it will stay on the client profile. To search for a new client, on the left-side menu bar, click on “Clients” and then “Client Search” and you’ll be back to the start