Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit agency. Nourishing Hope has evolved to become more than solely a hunger relief organization. We provide food, social services such as job and housing assistance, and free mental wellness counseling with a growing team of licensed therapists. Founded in 1970, we strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and weekly produce pickup through five different food access programs.
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities.
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, more than 7,000 low-income neighbors will also receive case management and social services.

Position Summary

Come help us fight hunger! The Commercial Truck Driver is responsible for operating a 26-foot commercial box truck for pick up and delivery of food donations for Nourishing Hope while ensuring a high level of customer service to donors and partners. The Commercial Truck Driver will spend their time navigating between our Nourishing Hope sites as well as partner locations for drop off and pick up of food. 

The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday and reports out of Nourishing Hope headquarters, 1716 W. Hubbard St. in Chicago.

Essential Job Functions

• Operate a commercial box truck to pick up and deliver to Nourishing Hope locations around the Chicagoland area in an efficient, timely and safe manner.
• Operate vehicles according to all local, state and federal regulations.
• Load and unload food pallets, weighing up to 3,000 pounds using electric pallet jacks. 
• Maintain, load and unload in-kind donations, up to 50 pounds regularly, using manual carts and dollies.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of assigned vehicles, including completion of pre-trip and post-trip vehicle maintenance and safety checklists.
• Assess and perform basic truck maintenance and/or report any routine maintenance issues.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent work experience.
• Proven driving experience and certification required:
  • 2-3 Years of Class B vehicle major city driving experience, preferably in the Chicagoland area.
  • Valid State of Illinois Commercial Driver’s License-Class B (Class A preferred)
  • Valid DOT card
• Clean driving record for the past 3 years.
• Ability or willingness to learn how to operate material handling equipment.
• Basic understanding of truck maintenance and upkeep.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for coordination with donors, staff and partner agencies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain food service sanitation certification.
• Ability to lift/move a minimum of 100 pounds of food between equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to move pallets of food weighing up to 3,000 pounds with an electric pallet jack.
• Willingness to submit to periodic substance/drug screening based on a random unannounced selection process required by IL DOT.
• Ability to climb and move in and out between equipment and vehicles with ease.
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional evening and weekend hours, as needed.
• An understanding of, and belief in, the importance of food security for everyone.

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.