SNAP cuts spur volunteerism and how to prepare for more food donors during holidays

You may be experiencing more neighbors stepping forward to volunteer, especially in response to recent SNAP benefit reductions and the increased need in our community. Timely follow-up is key. Reaching out within just a few days helps them feel welcomed and keeps their enthusiasm strong as they take the next step toward getting involved.

Reach out to confirm how they want to volunteer.  Get to know them and find out how much time they can donate. Here's the Handbook on Front PORCH

Welcoming new neighborhood coordinators follows many of the same steps you experienced when you first got involved. A smooth and supportive onboarding process helps new volunteers feel confident and ready to lead. Key steps include:

• Discuss their interest and capacity to take on the coordinator role, which involves recruiting food donors and organizing a monthly food drive.
• They can host collections on the same day as your neighborhood drive or, if they support a different pantry, on a day that works best for that partner.
• Equip them with the materials they need to share PORCH. You can request postcards or door hangers from Alyssa.
• Order a coordinator shirt on their behalf. Record their details in the Get Involved form so they are added to our database. Send the shirt request to Zakiya, who will share it with Jen. Items are mailed mid- and end of month.
• Provide a PORCH yard sign from your start-up set. 
• Share your experience with launching your first drive.
• Ask for photos so we can celebrate and share their success on social media.
• Congratulate them on completing their first drive.

Thank you for supporting new leaders. Together, we continue to grow the impact of PORCH.

If you need support onboarding new coordinators, email Zakiya to set up a meeting with you and/or your new coordinators. Even easier, book one right now. 

Welcoming new food donors:

• Share your most needed food list and where they can drop off donations.
• For the holidays, check with your panty partner if they have a special collection list.
• Send that list to everyone on your Get Involved to welcome them to PORCH.
• Share when their donation should be collected and where to take it. 
• Follow up with an email thanking them for their donation. 
• Let them know they can become a monthly food donor next month. 
• Ideally, they'd be in a neighborhood with a coordinator, but until that is set up, they can work with you. 

Volunteer with your pantry

As a chapter lead, volunteering with your pantry partner is a great way to strengthen your impact. It gives you a firsthand look at how the food your neighbors collect is distributed and who benefits, connecting donations to families in need. Your presence builds relationships with pantry staff, making collaboration smoother and more meaningful. Then share your experience with volunteers and donors to help them feel more connected to the mission and motivated to keep giving. 

Here's what James, as PORCH Pflugerville, said, "I made a bunch of new friends in the neighborhood and at the pantry. Thanks for all your support in helping to make the first PORCH Pflugerville Food Drive a tremendous success!"