VOLUNTEER
HANDBOOK
Volunteer,
Thank you for choosing to spend your time volunteering with us and
helping us enrich and improve our community.
Sincerely,
Laura Shaffer
Volunteer Coordinator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Handbook Purpose
1
Mission and Organizational Information
1-3
How Can I Help?
4-9
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Information
10-11
Contact Information
11
Safety Information
12-13
General Information
13-14
Volunteer Acknowledgement
15
Photo & Video Release
16
Purpose of this Handbook
This handbook has been written to better help you better understand what Food For Thought does
and how you can best contribute to our cause as a volunteer. It answers frequently asked questions
and explains the specific duties of the many varied volunteer opportunities we have, as well as
some more general guidelines for service in our organization.
Becoming more familiar with our mission statement and values can help you be a more effective
partner with our organization and could preemptively resolve any issues that might arise.
Please read the Handbook carefully. We encourage you to take it with you and use it as a reference
if any questions should arise during your time of service.
This guide may not answer every question you have. Please do not hesitate to direct any further
questions to your volunteer lead or any FFT employee. We are here to help you become
comfortable and confident in your position so we can continue to feed Toledo thoughtfully!
OUR MISSION
Food For Thought is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding the
Toledo region in a thoughtful way.
Our Background
Food For Thought (FFT) began in May of 2007 when a group of people came together
with a common passion to feed the hungry. This group started with feeding eight families per month
through a stationary pantry in Oregon, OH and providing 50 sack lunches that were distributed in
downtown Toledo on Saturday mornings. As the organization evolved, FFT began providing pantry
service to patrons via mobile units at partner site locations throughout the region. In 2014, FFT
relocated to downtown Toledo, and transitioned to exclusively mobile pantry service with a focus on
providing healthy and fresh food options. FFT continues Saturday morning outreach and lunch
distribution weekly in addition to hosting mobile pantries.
Providing food to those in need in a thoughtful way is still at the heart of Food For Thought.
We continue to identify and address barriers to food insecurity in our community, provide service to
our patrons in a dignified manner, and give people the opportunity to serve and make an impact in
their community.
Why We Do What We Do
One in seven Americans and one in six Ohioans suffer from food insecurity, which can
include reduced quality, quantity, variety or desirability of diet. Their eating patterns may be forcibly
disrupted and their food intake may be greatly reduced.
More than 50 million people, including 17 million children, suffer from food insecurity in
America each year. Ohio’s rate is higher than the national average. Lucas County, where Food For
Thought is based, has one of the highest hunger rates in Ohio. Nearly one in five people, 85,090
individuals, in Lucas County report food insecurity.
In 2014, FFT served over 10,700 households in the Greater Toledo Area, totaling 27,910
individuals. Over 9,500 of those served were children, and over 3,600 were seniors. Seventy
percent of our patrons had shopped with us before. Fifty percent of those we served reported that
they reduced their food intake nearly every month because there was not enough money for food.
When people do not have enough money to buy food reliably, they will often choose foods
that will store for long periods of time without the risk of going bad. These will often include
processed and non-perishable food items, which are generally not the healthiest choices. Only 54%
of our patrons reported that they eat fruits and vegetable daily. Increasing education about healthy
cooking can increase the patron’s confidence in their ability to use up fresh, healthy foods that may
not last as long as non-perishables.
Common Barriers to Healthy Eating
●
●
Barrier – Access: Healthy foods are often lacking in low-income neighborhoods.
Individuals may shop for food primarily at corner stores or small markets because they
don’t have a full grocery store nearby
Our Solution: FFT provides fresh fruit and vegetable options on each mobile pantry and
focuses service in low access areas
●
Barrier – Cost: Even when healthy foods are available, they are often more expensive in
●
low-income neighborhoods
Our Solution: All of FFT’s supplemental food assistance is provided free of charge
●
Barrier – Transportation: some individuals may have limited transportation to get to the
●
store (no car, not enough gas money)
Our Solution: All of FFT’s pantries are run via mobile truck and trailer which provide
service at host partner sites in targeted areas
●
Barrier - Convenience/time: convenience foods may be easier than cooking a full
●
meal, however they are often less healthy
Our Solution: FFT is piloting a food box program which provides three full meals with
fresh, healthy ingredients and recipes to a targeted patron population. All recipes require
minimal equipment and take less than 30 minutes to prepare.
●
Limited cooking skills: individuals may lack the skills and/or equipment to cook healthy
●
meals at home (may be lacking a blender, stove, baking dishes, etc.)
Our Solution: We work on creating easy, quick, nutritional recipes featuring our fresh
produce and making them easily available to those we serve.
●
Barrier - Poor nutrition knowledge: Many of our patrons do not have the knowledge
●
necessary to create a well-rounded, healthy diet due to poor education surrounding
nutrition or a lack of healthy food variety in their neighborhoods.
Our Solution: We work with nutrition professionals and students from local universities to
increase knowledge of good nutrition and healthy diets.
●
Barrier - Personal preference/taste: Food found at pantries does not always
●
accurately reflect the ethnic make-up of the population it serves.
Our Solution: We are working to bring culturally appropriate items to neighborhoods with
specific ethnic populations.
●
Barrier – Variety: Often times the food found at food pantries lacks variety, which can
●
lead to over-reliance on processed, pre-packaged foods.
Our Solution: We are continually exploring new food sources to ensure that our patrons
have food choice.
The Future of Food For Thought
Our goals at Food For Thought are largely focused on increasing the amount of locally
sourced fresh fruits and vegetables at our mobile pantries and making our services more intentional
to the communities we serve. There will be at least 4 different fresh fruit and vegetable options at
each location, at least 10% of which will be locally sourced from within 300 miles. We also want to
focus on tailoring our food options to our pantry sites. Each site with ethnic populations of 75% of
the patrons will have at least 3 culturally appropriate options. Since many of our patrons have a
chronic disease, either diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, we would like to increase the
number of food options specific to those diets. Along with these food options, we want to increase
education about those chronic conditions and how to alter your diet to suit a healthier lifestyle. We
would like to include recipe cards and one education program specifically tailored to each mobile
site.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Mobile Food Pantries, Various Locations
What is a mobile food pantry?
A mobile food pantry is just what it sounds like. We bring food directly to the neighborhoods
that need assistance. A lot of these neighborhoods are considered “food deserts”, or “parts of the
country devoid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in
impoverished areas.” Our Mobile Pantry refers to our two 17' cargo trailers which provide food
assistance to each of our host partner sites once per month throughout the greater Toledo
area. Each pantry is stocked with 10-13 different categories of food, and choices within each
category so that patrons can choose the items they'll actually use in their household. We
also provide fresh produce items on every Mobile Pantry.
Food for Thought provides supplemental nutrition assistance to an average of 750 families
per month. Hosting mobile pantries allows us to remedy the food access barrier of transportation by
providing service directly to areas of need. At each site, food is loaded onto 17' enclosed trailers
and displayed inside on shelving along both sides of the trailer walls. Patrons are “shopped
through," meaning that they can pick items that they will actually use in their household from
options displayed on the pantry shelves. Each month customers are able to choose from 10 to 13
different categories of food, including a variety of fresh and healthy foods. There are many reasons
why someone may visit one of our pantries. We do not discriminate or require a referral or income
verification. All of our services are provided free of charge with presentation of a Photo ID.
Arrival, Attire, & Expectations at Our Mobile Pantries
●
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the mobile pantry and expect to stay
up to 15 minutes after the listed pantry hours. Total time of each pantry shift will be around
2.5 hours.
●
Dress in comfortable, weather appropriate attire. Pantry procedures differ from site to site;
sometimes patrons shop through on the truck and sometimes the food is unloaded to be
taken inside a building. Please be prepared for either scenario—indoor and outdoor
temperatures and weather.
●
Check-in with the Food For Thought driver and get a volunteer lanyard. The driver will
direct you to the most pressing tasks and assign you a duty for the duration of the mobile.
All of our drivers can assist if you have any questions or concerns during the mobile pantry.
Procedures & Duties at Our Mobile Pantries
Unloading & Loading the Trailer
At some sites, patrons shop through a pantry that is set up inside. In this case, the food
must be unloaded off the trailer. FFT drivers or the pantry point person from the designated site
(church, community center, etc.) will provide direction for food set up. If patrons are shopping
through the truck, the drivers may need assistance reorganizing the food as it sometimes shifts
during transport. After patrons are done shopping, remaining food may need to be reloaded on to
the truck or secured on the shelves, and the returning inventory sheet must be filled out. Please
assist the drivers as needed.
Shopping Patrons Through the Pantry
This is our most important task at the mobile sites. We pack 10-13 different categories on each
mobile pantry. Within each category, patrons are able to choose 1-2 items, and have 2-4 options.
The choice pantry model, in which patrons are able to choose the items that their household will
use, is a national best practice and something we pride ourselves upon. You will pick up grocery
bags at the truck or pantry entrance, walk patrons through, tell them their food choices, and bag
groceries for them. Please familiarize yourself with our pantry choices for that day before you start
shopping patrons through (list will be provided). Feel free to walk through the truck and look at
where everything is located, including the back stock (if an item runs out during the pantry, please
open a new case). After shopping patrons through, ask if they need any assistance carrying things
to their car, and proceed with the next patron. We ask that you allow each person to take the
designated number of items in each category. Each pantry is packed for a specific number of
people and we want to ensure quantity and variety for each person who shops with us.
Friday Night Lunch Packing, 316 Adams Street-Floor 2
Every Friday night from 6-7:30 PM we pack 200-300 brown bag lunches for our Saturday
morning distribution under the direction of a Lead Volunteer. Our lunches contain a peanut butter
and jelly sandwich, snacks, and a napkin.
Volunteers arrive at our office at 6:00 and will receive a brief orientation from one of our skilled
volunteer leads. They will then either make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, package snacks, or
decorate paper bags according to age/skill level/interest. Lunches are loaded into boxes and
secured on wagons for pick up in the Trinity Church lobby on Saturday morning. Depending on how
many volunteers we have, this could take from under an hour to an hour and a half.
We happily accept donations of PB&J supplies and encourage groups to bring additional items
for contribution:
Supplies
● Disposable Gloves
● Plastic Sandwich Bags (Zip
Closure)
● Cases of Bottled Water
● Napkins (Standard Size)
● Paper Lunch Bags
Sandwiches:
● Creamy Peanut Butter
● Fruit Jellies & Jams
● Loaves of Sliced
Bread (Whole Wheat)
Snacks*
● Chips (Corn, Potato or Veggie, Plain)
● Pretzels
● Granola Bars
● Fruit Cups
● Dried Fruit, Vegetables, Meat (Jerky)
● Cookies
● Popcorn
*We are transitioning to healthier options in
our lunches, including fresh fruit and
vegetable items
This is our most popular volunteer opportunity, there is no age requirement, and children can
work side by side with adult supervision, and decorate brown paper lunch bags with crayons and
markers. This is an excellent opportunity for Girl Scout or Boy Scout groups, church groups, youth
organizations, etc. Volunteers with peanut allergies can be accommodated by assigning them to
duties other than sandwich making.
Saturday Morning Outreach-Mini-Mobiles, 316 Adams Street
Every Saturday morning from 10 AM - 12:00 PM we distribute bagged lunches throughout
downtown via our wagons. On Friday night, volunteers pack PB&J sandwiches, snacks, and
napkins to hand out to people on two designated bus routes and throughout the downtown area.
Volunteers use food as a vehicle to have a conversation and build relationships with those who are
being served as they walk, hand out, and share lunch with people.
Arrival, Attire, & Expectations
●
Please arrive at Trinity Episcopal Church, 316 Adams Street, by 10:00AM for the first bus
route or 11:00AM for the second bus route.
●
Dress in comfortable, weather appropriate attire. The mini mobiles run outside, year round,
so please check the forecast so that you are prepared for weather extremes or fluctuations.
●
Check-in with the Food For Thought Lead for the weekend and get a volunteer lanyard.
The Lead will direct you to the most pressing tasks in preparation for taking the lunches out
on wagons or in backpacks.
Procedure & Duties
We will offer and hand out lunches to anyone who wants one along the route or at the bus stop.
Take your time and pass them out thoughtfully and personally. If you want to pass out lunches on a
bus, make sure to ask the bus driver for permission, as food cannot be consumed on the buses.
Some bus drivers may not allow it. Make sure that you are with another member of your group and
within sight of the rest of your group at all times while passing out lunches and that the wagon is
never left unattended.
Distribution Routes
●
The First route will vary as we try to figure out the best way for us to distribute meals at that
time.
●
The second route begins on Adams Street at our office. From there we will head down
Adams toward Superior. We will turn right on Superior and walk until we reach Jackson. At
Jackson, we will split into two groups, one will go left toward Erie and the other will go right
toward Summit. The buses will be lined up along Jackson and we will distribute the lunches
along the entire bus stop.
Conduct
Food For Thought never turns anyone away. If someone asks us for more than one lunch, they
may get a second lunch, but we try to avoid handing out more than two lunches per patron. We do
not pick out specific items or lunches for patrons. You may gently tell patrons this if they are
showing a particular disregard to abiding by the designated item numbers. This is a rare scenario
and should be handled with respect and understanding.
Feel free to talk to patrons and get to know them, but it is important that you do not give out
anything aside from lunches and friendly conversation as part of our program. This includes your
phone number, money (please, do not bring any money with you), or any identifiable personal
information
Possible Scenarios:
When interacting with the public in an unstructured scenario, there is always the potential for
issues to arise. We try to prepare for those situations as best we can.
Faith
●
●
Food For Thought has no religious affiliation. If you would like to talk about your faith, you
may, but use judgement and please be respectful of others religious affiliations.
If someone asks you to pray for or with them, you can use your judgement about how you
want to respond.
Intoxication
●
●
Occasionally, we will encounter an individual who is intoxicated. This is one of the reasons
why we ask you stay in sight of the rest of the group at all times and always remain with a
partner while passing out lunches.
Do not attempt to engage with or confront the intoxicated individual. Continue passing out
lunches to the others along the route.
Additional Requests
●
●
If someone asks for more than a second lunch, you can use your judgement.
If they push the issue, please explain that we only have a certain number of lunches and
we can only give out a maximum of two.
●
●
Money/Valuables
o Do not give out any money, either voluntarily or by request.
o We prefer that you do not bring any money or valuables with you
o Do not have your cell phones out while you are passing out lunches
Personal Information
o Please do not give out any personal information.
▪ Ex: Full names, addresses, phone numbers, other identifying information
o If they ask for information, you can direct them to Food For Thought for more
assistance
Farmers Market, 525 Market Street (June-October)
Each Saturday morning during the growing season, FFT runs a “reverse booth” at the Toledo
Farmers Market, where shoppers can donate produce directly for use on the mobile pantries.
Shoppers may also make monetary donations which are spent on produce at the market and used
to provide fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the season on the pantries. The booth must be
staffed each week by volunteers who are able to outreach to market-goers and local growers to
promote FFT, encourage donations, and assist with sourcing the donated produce.
Procedure and Duties
Setting Up
One volunteer will go to our warehouse at 33 N. Huron St. at 7:45am and pick up the supplies
needed to set up our booth at the Farmer’s Market. There will be a labeled box that will include:
 glass donation jar
 volunteer sign-up sheet
 informational handouts
 donation forms
 our purple tablecloth
 stickers
 Food For Thought t-shirts ($30 suggested donation)
 mason jars ($5 suggested donation)
 other items will be “priced” as necessary
The volunteer will also take the large, Food For Thought photo and several crates for produce
donations. You can either load the supplies onto one of our wagons and walk them down Huron St.
to the market or load them into your car and drive them there, the choice is yours.
Once you are at the market, our booth is at the end of the row, next to the credit/debit/EBT card
cash in booth. You will then set up the table. You have a bit of creative liberty here. Just make it
look interesting, approachable, and aesthetically pleasing! Make sure the volunteer signup sheet is
clearly visible and set up the glass donation jar next to the produce crates on the right-hand side of
the table. Please try to be set up by 8:00-8:15am. The other volunteers who have signed up should
be joining you by then. You will stay to the end of your shift. Volunteer shifts run 8:00-11:00 and
11:00-2:00.
Staffing the Booth
While you are at the market, it will be your job to represent Food For Thought to the shoppers
at the market. Try to come up with a 30 second spiel that sums up what Food For Thought does
and how they could help. Something to hook people, but not so long that they become
disinterested. Try to catch people’s eyes and greet them as they walk past, don’t give them an
excuse to ignore us!
Loading Up and Weighing Produce
At the end of the market, one or more volunteers will go back to the warehouse to take the
supplies and the produce back depending on the amount of donations. The produce donations will
need to be weighed on the scale in the warehouse and the weight recorded. All of this will be
clearly labeled. After the produce is weighed, you will put it into the commercial refrigerator labeled
“Farmer’s Market Produce”. Make sure you label the crates with the date the donations were
received. There will be a labeled place for it. Cash donations should be recorded and placed in an
envelope signed by both you and another person you worked with, both verifying the amount inside.
You may leave the box of supplies and the poster by wall next to the elevator on the ground floor.
Gleaning at Friendship Farms, 9960 S Berkey Southern Rd,
Waterville, OH 43566 (June-October)
Food For Thought is piloting a summer gleaning program with Friendship Farms in Waterville to
capture excess local produce. Volunteers assist with work around the farm and in return we are
provided with fresh produce for use in the pantries free of charge.
You should bring gardening gloves, bug spray, and clothing and shoes that can get dirty and
are weather appropriate. For example: a wide-brimmed hat if it is sunny.
In case of rain, there will be indoor work for volunteers to do.
Note: The dates and times are subject to change based on volunteer interest and availability.
Warehouse Stocking & Inventory, 33 N. Huron, Toledo, OH
Food For Thought’s food inventory is stored at a separate warehouse. Each mobile pantry and
food delivery must be loaded and unloaded by drivers from our trucks and trailers. Volunteers help
lift and shelve food items, organize our stock, and stage for mobiles.
● Unloading Food Orders
o
We get a food order in from the Seagate Food bank every Friday between 11:30am
and 12:30pm and our drivers need assistance unloading and shelving these items.
We need one to two volunteers for this job and it should take an hour or less. This
is a job for a volunteer who does not mind physical activity and can lift 50 pounds.
● Sorting Donations
o
We get large numbers of donations periodically and they will need to be weighed
and sorted by 2-3 volunteers. This will be on an as needed basis.
● Cleaning (Monthly)
o
We would like to clean our warehouse and our garage once a month. We would
need 5-10 people per area to help clean floors, walls, shelves, etc. Wear
comfortable shoes and clothing you wouldn’t mind getting dirty in.
● Pre-Staging Vehicles
o
Our drivers could use some help on Wednesday evenings preparing the food for
one of our larger pantries. The volunteer assisting with this should be comfortable
moving around and lifting a decent amount of weight.
Administrative Work
We can always use administrative help around the office working on a wide range of tasks.
We accommodate all schedules and skill sets following a brief interview process. This would be
great for the volunteer who may have physical limitations, but still would like to contribute to our
organization.
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Volunteer Qualifications
We have volunteer opportunities for people of all ages, however some positions require
more experience and training.
Volunteer Expectations
●
Volunteer Shift:
Please arrive promptly at the time you are scheduled to volunteer. Many of our
volunteer positions are time sensitive.
●
Arrival:
When you arrive, please check in with your lead for the day. Your service is important
to us and it is important that your hours are tracked. If you have not served with us
before, please create a volunteer profile on the check-in computer or fill out a new
volunteer form.
●
Attire:
Dress in comfortable, weather appropriate attire. Many of our volunteer opportunities
are outside, rain or shine, so be sure to check the weather and plan accordingly. Our
mobile pantry procedures differ from site to site; sometimes patrons shop through on
the truck and sometimes the food is unloaded to be taken inside a building. Please be
prepared for either scenario—indoor and outdoor temperatures and weather.
● Cancellation Policy:
Many of our volunteer opportunities require a small number of volunteers, so it is
imperative that everyone be there. If, for some reason, you cannot make it to an event,
we ask that you please email or call us so we can try to find a replacement. We prefer
at least 24 hours’ notice when possible.
Volunteers who routinely do not show up for their shifts and do not give adequate
notice may be asked to no longer volunteer with our organization.
● Conduct:
In any social context it is important to behave appropriately. Our volunteers represent
the Food For Thought mission and values through their actions, so we ask you respect
the patrons we are serving and your fellow volunteers.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Staff
●
●
●
●
Jill Bunge, Executive Director - [email protected]
Laura Shaffer, Volunteer Coordinator - [email protected]
Bob Walker, Warehouse Manager/Driver - [email protected]
Jake Drouillard, Driver - [email protected]
Locations
● Food For Thought Office
316 Adams Street-Floor 2
Toledo, OH 43604
419.972.0022
●
Food For Thought Warehouse
33 N. Huron-Alley Access
Toledo, OH 43604
VOLUNTEER SAFETY RULES
The primary responsibility of volunteers of Food for Thought is to perform their duties in a safe
manner in order to prevent injury to themselves and others.
As a condition of your time spent with the organization, volunteers must become familiar with,
observe and obey Food for Thought’s rules and established policies for health, safety and
preventing injuries at work. Additionally, volunteers
MUST learn the approved safe practices and procedures that apply to their work.
Before beginning special work or new assignments, a volunteer should review applicable and
appropriate safety rules.
If a volunteer has any questions about how a task should be done safely, he or she is under
instruction not to begin the task before discussing the situation with a supervisor. Together, they will
determine the safe way to do the job.
If, after discussing a safety situation with a supervisor, a volunteer still has questions or concerns,
he or she is required to contact the safety coordinator.
NO VOLUNTEER IS EVER REQUIRED to perform work that he or she believes is unsafe or that he
or she thinks is likely to cause injury or a health risk to themselves or others.
Conduct
Horseplay and practical jokes are forbidden. Volunteers are required to work in an injury-free
manner displaying accepted levels of behavior. Conduct that places the volunteers or others at risk,
or that threatens or intimidates others, is forbidden.
Drugs and Alcohol
Use and/or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol while volunteering or on volunteer time are
forbidden. Reporting as a representative of the organization while under the influence of illegal
drugs or alcohol is forbidden.
Housekeeping
Clean up several times throughout the day, disposing of trash and waste in approved containers,
wiping up any drips/spills immediately and putting equipment and tools away as you are finished
with them.
The following areas must remain clear of obstructions:
 Aisles/exits
 Fire extinguishers and emergency equipment
 All electrical breakers, controls and switches
Injury Reporting
All volunteer injuries must be reported to a supervisor immediately
NON-DISCLOSURE POLICY
It is against policy to reveal the identity or information of any of our patrons. Please do not
take photographs of the patrons.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FFT provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status,
or sexual orientation, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
This policy extends to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement,
promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, and training. In addition, FFT
will not use the services of any agency known to discriminate in its operations on the basis
of any of the characteristics mentioned above.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
Food For Thought is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the
well-being and health of its employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any FFT
employee illegally uses drug on the job, comes to work with these substances present in
his/her body, or possesses, distributes or sells drugs in the workplace. Therefore, FFT
has established the following policy:
1.
It is a violation of FFT policy for any employee to possess, sell, trade, or
offer for sale illegal drugs or otherwise engage in the illegal use of drugs
on the job.
2.
It is a violation of FFT policy for anyone to report to work impaired due to
the use of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3.
It is a violation of the FFT policy for anyone to report to work impaired due
to the illegal use of prescription drugs. However, nothing in this policy
precludes the appropriate use of legally prescribed medications.
4.
Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and
including termination.
5.
Each employee will be provided a copy of this policy and asked to sign to
verify receipt and understanding.
6.
As a condition of employment, employees must abide by the terms of this
policy and must inform FFT in writing of any conviction of a violation of a
criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar
days after such conviction.
7.
Appropriate personnel action will be taken within 30 calendar days against
any employee convicted of violating a criminal drug statute up to and
including termination or required participation in a Federal, State, Local, or
Law Enforcement approved drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation
program
8.
If any employee engaged in the performance of a federal grant award is
convicted of violating a criminal drug statute, FFT will notify appropriate
federal agencies in writing within 10 calendar days.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
FFT prohibits sexual harassment of its employee by Board members, employees,
contractors, and grantees. All employees should expect to work in an atmosphere free of
unwanted sexual overtures or any unwelcome behavior which is personally offensive,
which debilitates morale, or which otherwise interferes with working effectiveness.
It is FFT’s policy to investigate thoroughly and remedy any known incidents of
harassment.
A person who feels that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment should record
dates, times, circumstances and witnesses of the incidents and take this information
promptly to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is involved, the information
should be taken to the President of the Board of Directors.
Any person electing to file a complaint will be treated courteously and the problem handled
swiftly and as confidentially as feasible in light of the need to take appropriate corrective
action. The registering of a complaint will in no way be used against the employee, nor
will it have an adverse impact on the individual’s employment status.
Volunteer Acknowledgement
By signing this document, I confirm the receipt of Food for Thought’s volunteer handbook. I have
read and understood all policies, programs and actions as described, and I agree to comply with
these set policies.
______________________________
Volunteer Signature
_______________
Date
If this release is obtained from a presenter under the age of 18, then the signature of that
presenter’s parent or legal guardian is also required.
____________________________________
Minor’s Signature
___________________
Date
Photograph & Video Release Form
For valuable consideration received, I hereby grant to Food For Thought, and their legal
representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish personal
statements made by me (in part or in full) or photographs of me (or in which I may be included) for
editorial trade, advertising, and any other purpose and in any manner and medium. I hereby release
Food For Thought and their legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to
said photographs.
Name _______________________________________
Zip _________________________________________
Signature____________________________________
Date ________________________________________
If this release is obtained from a volunteer under the age of 18, then the signature of that
volunteer’s parent or legal guardian is also required.
Parent’s Signature_____________________ Date____________________________