MSU Food Bank & Basic Needs Program
Student Food Bank Assistant
Position Overview
Founded in 1993, the MSU Food Bank was the first student-run collegiate food pantry in the nation. Today, the MSU Food Bank & Basic Needs Program supports the health, wellbeing, and academic success of Spartans by increasing access to nutritious food and essential resources.
The Student Food Bank Assistant plays an essential role in creating a welcoming, respectful, and efficient experience for participants while supporting the daily operations of the MSU Food Bank & Basic Needs Program. Student employees assist with food distributions, inventory management, food safety, outreach, and program operations while representing the program’s values of compassion, collaboration, integrity, and care for all Spartans.
Primary Responsibilities
Participant Services & Customer Experience
- Welcome participants, visitors, and volunteers with professionalism, respect, and compassion.
- Assist participants during appointments at Spartan Shelf Union and Spartan Shelf Olin while helping create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Provide accurate information about available food bank services, campus resources, and basic needs support.
- Answer participant questions and refer concerns to supervisors when appropriate.
- Maintain participant confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling personal information.
Food Distribution & Inventory Management
- Prepare, organize, and distribute food orders for participants.
- Restock shelves, refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas throughout each shift.
- Receive, inspect, sort, and store food donations according to food safety standards.
- Monitor inventory levels and communicate low-stock items or operational needs to supervisors.
- Assist with inventory counts and other program data collection as assigned.
Food Safety & Program Operations
- Follow all food safety, sanitation, and storage procedures to ensure the quality and safety of distributed food.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe pantry, storage, and work areas.
- Assist with opening and closing procedures, including preparing distribution spaces for daily operations.
- Support donation sorting, special projects, and other operational needs as assigned.
- Follow all university and departmental policies and procedures.
Outreach, Teamwork & Professionalism
- Represent the MSU Food Bank & Basic Needs Program at campus outreach events, donation drives, and educational programs.
- Work collaboratively with student employees, volunteers, staff, and campus partners.
- Arrive prepared and on time for scheduled shifts.
- Participate in required trainings, meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Contribute to an inclusive, welcoming, and trauma-informed environment that promotes dignity and respect for all participants.
Required Qualifications
- Current MSU student in good academic standing.
- Strong customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Reliable, organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 30 pounds and perform physical tasks such as unloading deliveries, stocking inventory, and organizing storage areas.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform repetitive tasks throughout scheduled shifts.
- Commitment to maintaining participant confidentiality and treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
- Willingness to complete Safe Food Handling certification (training provided).
Preferred Qualifications
- Customer service, retail, food service, hospitality, warehouse, or volunteer experience.
- Knowledge of food insecurity, basic needs programs, or community resources.
- Familiarity with campus resources and student support services.
- Basic food safety knowledge or ServSafe® certification.
- Availability during university breaks, including spring, summer, and winter.
Schedule
- Flexible scheduling Monday through Saturday based on operational needs
- Preference will be given to applicants who can work 10-15 hours per week, including winter, spring, and summer breaks.
- Some evening, weekend, outreach event, and delivery availability may be required.
- Program operates year-round, including university breaks.
Physical Requirements
This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and stocking food and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds. Employees may work in refrigerated or freezer storage areas and should be comfortable performing repetitive physical tasks throughout their shifts. Employees may work in refrigerated or freezer storage areas and should be comfortable performing repetitive physical tasks throughout their shifts.
Why Join Our Team?
Working with the MSU Food Bank & Basic Needs Program provides students with opportunities to develop leadership, customer service, communication, food safety, teamwork, inventory management, and community engagement skills while making a meaningful difference in the lives of fellow Spartans. Student Food Bank Assistants help foster a welcoming environment where students, staff, faculty, scholars, and their families can access nutritious food and essential resources with dignity, choice, and respect.
How to Apply
Submit your application and resume through MSU Handshake.
To learn more about the MSU Food Bank & Basic Needs Program, visit the MSU Spartan Shelf website.
