Korean Community Service Center Pop-up Food Bank Volunteer (Edmonds) (In-Person)

The Korean Community Service Center (KCSC) is a 40-year-old non-profit organization located in Edmonds, Washinton. KCSC’s mission is to be a bridge for Korean immigrants and the wider Asian community to fully integrate into society and overcome economic, health, and linguistic barriers so that they become independent and thriving members of the community.

The monthly pop-up food bank program is one of KCSC’s initiatives that provides low-income families with culturally relevant groceries. This program helps overcome economic barriers and enables families to prepare more nutritious meals.

Work Description: The monthly pop-up food bank runs every 2nd Friday, as a drive-thru, at the KCSC’s parking lot. Student volunteers will work with the KCSC staff and other volunteers, following the below schedule:

· 10AM – 12PM: Sort and bag the groceries

· 12PM – 1:30PM: Food distribution

· 1:30PM – 2:30PM: Clean-up and lunch

Immigrants make a living going through many hurdles and barriers, including economic, linguistic, and cultural ones. Student volunteers will learn from first-hand experience how this program can have a positive impact on the local community. It is also an opportunity to collaborate with other existing volunteers and feel rewarded after the work.

Please note that the work speed is fast. However, all the existing volunteers have good spirits and have a fun time, returning to volunteer every month. The work environment is bilingual (English and Korean), and students can practice Korean if they want.

Impact:

Improving low-income families’ health: The pandemic has hit low-income families more brutally than others, and food insecurity is a bigger problem now. By participating in this program, student volunteers can help improve the health of low-income families.

· Empowering Korean and Asian immigrants communities: Most other food banks provide American food only, and language can be a barrier for immigrants to use them as well. By providing Korean groceries and servicing in Korean (and English), this program empowers Korean and Asian communities.

· Partnering with other community organization: KCSC is working with Edmonds Food Bank in sourcing American groceries. Student volunteers can gain first-hand experience in how different community organizations can partner each other to serve the community in a better and more meaningful way.

· Fostering life-long volunteerism: Most non-profit organizations, including KCSC, rely on volunteers to run many community-serving programs. From this experience, student volunteers can learn about community volunteer opportunities and build a life-long relationship with volunteerism, not only with KCSC but also with many other organizations.

Supervisor:

Seungyoun Yoo
syyoo@kcsc-seattle.org

Location:

KCSC Parking Lot
22727 Hwy 99 Suite
#212
Edmonds, Washington 98026

The Volunteer Application form needs to be filled in during the orientation.

Skills Needed:

Patience and willingness to help seniors and low-income families in the Korean and Asian community.

· Ability to work as a team with other staff and volunteers (at a fast speed during the distribution).

· Ability to work in person in Edmonds.

· Korean language skill is a plus, but not a requirement.

– Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.