Volunteer with the First Food Program

The Grinding Stone Collective Inc. seeks volunteers for its First Food Program, focusing on Indigenous food sovereignty. Volunteers must be reliable and respectful of Indigenous culture, assisting with in-person and virtual events, food preparation, outreach, and administrative tasks. Requirements include a volunteer application, training, and background check. Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn are essential. This role supports Indigenous communities through education and engagement.
About The Role

To volunteer with Grinding Stone Collective, individuals must have an interest in Indigenous food sovereignty and be committed to supporting Indigenous communities. Volunteers are expected to be reliable, responsible, and respectful of Indigenous traditions and culture. Depending on your volunteer role, certain skills or qualifications may be required.

All volunteers are expected to follow the organization's code of conduct and adhere to the mission and values of Grinding Stone Collective. This is an inter-tribal approach to food sovereignty built by natives for natives and our allies. The three core tenets of our organization are education, reciprocity and stewardship.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

Assist with in-person and virtual programs including

Assisting with event setup, including tables, chairs, and equipmentGreeting and registering attendeesAssisting with food preparation and servingAssisting with the distribution of supplies and/or materials Supporting event speakers and performers as necessaryHelping with event cleanup and breakdownProviding technical assistance for virtual events, such as managing audio and video equipment and troubleshooting technical issuesEngaging with attendees and answering questions about the event or First Foods ProgrammingSharing information about First Foods Programming on social media platforms or other communication channelsAssisting with event evaluations or surveysParticipating in pre-event meetings or training sessions to prepare for the event

Additional Volunteer Possibilities Include:

Delivery (pick up & drop off of pantry/stewards items)Help with community outreach and engagement effortsSupport fundraising and grant writing effortsProvide assistance with administrative tasks such as data entry, record keeping, and schedulingAssist with research and program evaluationParticipate in trainings and workshops to develop skills and knowledge related to GSC's mission and workAttend meetings and communicate regularly with GSC staff and other volunteers

Requirements And Qualifications

The specific requirements and qualifications to be a First Foods Program volunteer may vary depending on the needs of the program.

Requirements:

Completion of the volunteer application form belowCompletion of required trainingBackground check clearanceAvailability to volunteer for a specific time period (8hrs minimum for full program days)

Qualifications:

Strong communication and interpersonal skillsKnowledge and interest in Indigenous foodways and traditional ecological knowledgeAbility to work collaboratively with a team and community partnersWillingness to learn and take direction from program coordinatorsExperience with event planning or food preparation (depending on the volunteer role)Physical ability to perform the tasks required for the volunteer role (e.g., lifting, standing for extended periods, etc.)

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About Us

Grinding Stone Collective Inc. strives to uplift Indigenous communities through community education, reciprocity and stewardship. We cultivate inter-tribal knowledge sharing online and in person, creating jobs and increasing visibility for native communities and the issues that impact us most. Our digital spaces allow Natives to showcase their knowledge and skills while simultaneously growing in the community. Grinding Stone culminates from years of building networks across cultural boundaries. Through innovative use of technology for educational platforms, Grinding Stone Collective creates space for Indigenous peoples to build community, combat erasure, and ensures that future generations will recognize native technology as the worlds oldest database of knowledge.