Food Security Coordinator

Job Summary

The Food Security Coordinator is a full-time position based at Providence JCC responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operations of four interconnected programs serving seniors and individuals with differing abilities in the Providence community: Meals on Wheels, the Kosher Senior Café, the Kindness Café, and senior programming and activities. This individual serves as the primary on-site coordinator ensuring nutritious, safe, and dignified food service and enriching program experiences for participants bringing seniors from the community together. The Food Security Coordinator plays a hands-on role, managing volunteers, maintaining compliance with food safety standards, fostering community partnerships, and delivering high-quality programming rooted in JCS's values.

Key Responsibilities

Meals on Wheels

• Facilitate referrals of new clients to Meals on Wheels of RI and place them on the appropriate delivery route once approved.
• Recruit, train, and retain volunteers to deliver meals; ensure volunteers are trained in proper food handling and delivery protocols.
• Ensure kosher meals are delivered Monday through Friday to homebound clients.
• Print route sheets and review for accuracy prior to each delivery day.
• Receive, store, organize, and pack meals for distribution; make appropriate meal substitutions as needed.
• Schedule Meals on Wheels volunteers and provide direct oversight on delivery days; cover routes in the event of volunteer absence.
• Conduct client wellness check-in calls on non-delivery days.
• Communicate with MOW of RI and the kosher meal provider regarding closures, important notices, client changes, concerns, and food service issues.
• Submit MOW Requests for Proposals (RFPs) as received.
• Monitor and maintain inventory of delivery supplies (bags, milk, fruit, juice, labels, etc.) and place orders as needed.
• Print client labels and distribute monthly menus.
• Track and submit driver statistics, insurance information, and required documentation to supervisor.
• Follow up on concerns raised by drivers related to client wellbeing and make referrals as indicated.

Kosher Senior Café

• In partnership with the Director of Food Security Programming, actively promote and recruit participants to the Kosher Senior Café through press releases, speaking engagements, newsletters, and community outreach.
• Receive, temp, and record delivered meals; ensure compliance with food handling and sanitation requirements and maintain a kosher kitchen.
• Oversee all aspects of daily meal service including set-up, receiving, plating, serving, and clean-up.
• Implement and maintain safe food storage and handling practices at all meal site locations; record refrigerator and freezer temperatures.
• Organize food and dry storage areas using FIFO (first in, first out) principles.
• Communicate food, dry storage, cleaning supply, and paper product needs and place weekly orders.
• Oversee daily meal ordering and coordinate weekly bank deposits; collect and submit participant meal donations.
• Maintain accurate daily and weekly records including attendance, meal counts, reservations, emergency information, and donation logs.
• Coordinate transportation for meal site participants as needed.
• Monitor and engage with clients during meals; assess and address client needs and refer to other programs as appropriate.
• Conduct client check-in calls during holiday closures.
• Liaise with the nutrition management agency (e.g., Blackstone) regarding food service issues, orders, and operational matters.
• Communicate and address equipment or maintenance issues with the appropriate building or JCS contacts.

Senior Programming & Activities

• Plan, coordinate, and implement engaging client programs, field trips, and special events aligned with participant interests and available budget.
• Survey clients regularly to assess program interest and engagement.
• Plan and coordinate holiday parties, seasonal events, and special programming, including booking entertainment.
• Maintain and update menus and activities calendars using design tools such as Canva.
• Send out weekly e-mail newsletters (Monday and Thursday); proofread for accuracy and maintain updated contact lists on a quarterly basis.
• Coordinate Providence city transportation and field trip logistics.
• Create event and field trip to-do lists and communicate preparation needs to support staff.
• Connect with the kosher meal provider regarding monthly menus, holidays, closures, events, and other important information.

Kindness Café

• Oversee daily operations of the Kindness Café coffee cart, a workplace inclusion initiative providing employment opportunities for individuals with different abilities.
• Train and provide ongoing supervision of program participants; support participants in brewing coffee, setting up the cart, cash handling, transactions via POS system, restocking, and food/beverage storage.
• Track participant clock-ins and clock-outs via sign-in sheet.
• Implement and reinforce proper safety and sanitation practices with all participants.
• Zero out and reconcile the cash drawer at the start of each month; maintain accurate POS drawer balance records.
• Count the cash drawer weekly for accuracy.
• Communicate beverage, coffee, and supply needs for the cart and place orders accordingly. Notify supervisor of Gordon Foods orders as needed.
• Conduct monthly updates and check-ins with Providence Transitions regarding student goals, progress, and concerns; maintain awareness of the school/holiday calendar and communicate JCS closures.
• Send monthly Senior Café menus to Perspectives and other partner agencies supporting program participants.
• Communicate participant concerns, strengths, and progress to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at site visits; escalate issues to supervisor as needed.

Volunteer Management (In collaboration with Community Engagement Coordinator)

• Using Signup Genius, schedule, train, and supervise meal site, Meals on Wheels, and program volunteers.
• Provide day-to-day oversight and guidance to volunteers during service and activities.
• Submit updated volunteer statistics to the Community Engagement Coordinator.
• Cover volunteer responsibilities as needed to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Health & Safety Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all local and state food safety regulations, including safe handling, storage, and preparation of food across all programs.
• Maintain cleanliness and proper sanitation standards in all food service and meal site areas; ensure regular cleaning schedules are followed.
• Prepare for and assist with health inspections, ensuring that all food safety protocols are in place.
• Maintain a certified kosher kitchen in accordance with applicable standards.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain detailed records of client demographics, attendance, services provided, meal counts, and donations across all programs.
• Complete all reports and paperwork required by food service providers, grant funders, and JCS management.
• Compile and submit statistics for JCS, Blackstone, and external grantors on a weekly and periodic basis.
• Participate in the development of the annual program budget; monitor monthly expenditures and adjust spending to remain within approved budget.
• Track program expenses and keep accurate budget records.
• Attend JCS staff and management meetings; participate in program development and continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts.
• Represent JCS at community meetings and assist leadership on special assignments or committees as requested.
• Check in with supervisor regularly (e.g., weekly) to discuss programs, volunteer needs, events, client communications, and operational updates.

Department: Food Security Programming

Reports To: Director of Food Security Programs

Location: The Jewish Alliance of Greater RI, Providence and Temple Sinai, Cranston, RI

Position Type: Full-Time (1.0 FTE)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hourly: $26.50

Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) was established in 2018 through the combination of five prior entities (Jewish Family Service, Jewish Seniors Agency, Shalom Apartments, Shalom II Apartments, and Tamarisk Senior Living). JCS serves people of all faiths with access to professional services in the greater Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts communities, guided by Jewish traditions and values. All work is shaped by our core values:

• Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World): Relieving suffering, pursuing social justice, and advocating for clients.
• B'Tzelem Elokim (Honoring the Individual): Treating every person with dignity, respect, and care.
• Sherutei Rachamim (Compassionate Service): Delivering high-quality services with empathy to those in need.
• Kehillah (Community): Serving the Jewish community and the wider community of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.
• Kivud av v'em (Honor thy Father and Mother): Preserving the dignity of seniors.
• Hitkadmut (Cultivation for the Future): Striving for excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement in services.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred; Associate's degree with at least three years of relevant experience also considered.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in food service, senior services, nonprofit program coordination, or a related field.
• Experience in meal planning, inventory management, volunteer supervision, and community programming is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with older adults, individuals with disabilities, or other at-risk populations required.

Certifications & Licenses

• Food safety certification (e.g., ServSafe) required upon hire or to be obtained within 30 days.
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle with adequate auto insurance coverage required.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities; able to manage multiple concurrent programs and priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to engage warmly and effectively with seniors, individuals with disabilities, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to manage and motivate a diverse group of volunteers and clients with compassion and professionalism.
• Familiarity with budget management, record-keeping, and reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with digital tools (e.g., Canva, POS systems, email platforms).
• Knowledge of or respect for Jewish dietary laws (kashrut) and cultural traditions is a plus.[KJ11] 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to perform tasks that require bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing stairs.
• Comfortable working in both a kitchen and office environment.
• Must be able to drive to off-site locations as needed.

Working Conditions

• Hours: Full-time position; schedule to be determined based on program needs and may include some evening or weekend hours for special events.
• Environment: Fast-paced, community-focused setting with daily interaction with seniors, individuals with disabilities, volunteers, and partner organizations. Work takes place across meal service areas, a café cart, an office, and occasional community sites.

Supervisory Relationships

This position reports directly to the Director of Food Security Programs. The Food Service Coordinator provides day-to-day oversight of program volunteers, Kindness Café participants, and any meal site support staff.

Job Description Acknowledgement

I have read the above job description and duties listed. I agree to accept the position as listed and other job-related duties as assigned. I can perform the essential functions as outlined, with or without reasonable accommodation. I will support the policies of the organization and fulfill the position responsibilities.

________________________________     _______________

Employee Signature                              Date

Salary : $27