Job Description
Job Description
Position Type: Part Time. 20 hours/week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Must be in person.
Compensation: Hourly rate $28/hour
Reports to: Executive Board of the BACC with input from the ABFP Board. Food Pantry Manager to be hired.
About the Organization
The Allston Brighton Food Pantry (ABFP), housed by the Brighton Allston Congregational Church (BACC), believes that food access is a basic human right. Our vision is a community that is safe, just, and welcoming—where people’s needs are met and no one is left to face hardship alone. We take a human-first approach to food access, inviting everyone to participate in the mission of neighbors feeding neighbors in body, heart, and soul.
ABFP provides food relief to more than 2,000 households each year in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood. We proudly celebrate queer and trans members and guests, promote racial and environmental justice, and serve as a hub for compassion, dignity, and mutual support. Our core programs include Community Suppers, Rescue Grocery Distributions, and Food Basket Distributions, all grounded in respect, hospitality, and community care.
Position Summary
The Community Meals Cook leads the weekly Community Supper program, which has been feeding neighbors in need since 1984 and remains a cornerstone of our food justice work. This role is responsible for the end-to-end coordination of a high-volume weekly meal service, ensuring that approximately 200 hot, prepared meals are cooked and served each week to an average of 180 community members in a welcoming, dignified environment.
In addition to leading Community Suppers, the Community Meals Cook supports the reception and organization of monthly food deliveries, helping ensure that incoming food is received, stored, and integrated smoothly into pantry operations. The primary focus of this role is planning menus, overseeing food preparation and service, supervising kitchen volunteers, and maintaining smooth kitchen and program operations. Working in close collaboration with other food pantry staff, volunteers, and board members, this role ensures that Community Suppers run efficiently, safely, and with care—centering on hospitality and respect.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, cook, and serve meals (approximately 200 servings) using primarily donated food and food from partner organizations
- Set up, coordinate, and clean up Wednesday meal services
- Ensure food-safety standards, proper storage of foods, and maintain a clean and organized kitchen workspace
- Maintain records of meals served and volunteer participation, entering weekly data into our online reporting tool
- Supervise volunteers for all phases of the Community Supper (planning through cleanup)
- Foster a positive, collaborative kitchen volunteer environment
- Work closely with the Food Pantry Staff on food inventory, ordering, receiving/unloading deliveries, sorting, storage, and distribution to coordinate use of food across multiple programs
- Work closely with the board to service or replace equipment and tools as needed
- Communicate regularly with staff and board members about responsibilities, needs, and accomplishments
- Respond to communications related to the Community Supper program
- Support special community events as needed (staff lunches, cookouts, special gatherings)
Qualifications
Required
- Experience in food preparation and cooking for large groups (100+ people)
- Food safety certification (ServSafe or equivalent) or willingness to obtain
- Ability to work effectively with volunteers of varying experience levels and abilities
- Strong organizational skills and ability to plan ahead, including flexibility and problem-solving skills to adapt to changing circumstances
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Commitment to food justice and community service
- Physical ability to lift and move heavy items (up to 50 lbs), stand for extended periods, and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment
- Availability on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and additional hours as needed
Preferred but not required
- Experience managing volunteers
- Knowledge of hunger-relief work and operations for food-security programs
- Familiarity with diverse dietary needs and culturally responsive meal planning
- Bilingual skills (Spanish, Portuguese, Cantonese, Russian, or other languages spoken in our community)