Program Operations Manager, Food Assistance Program (Grab & Go)

Our programs fall under our two key strategic areas of focus

• Acting to help those in need with a particular emphasis on immigrant populations.
• Showing how unjust systems marginalize people and encouraging our followers to put their faiths into action to address injustice.

Our programs include

• Fireside Chats We explore issues of current social justice interest.
• The Weekly Word A weekly email that gives voice to different faith leaders across the country who discuss social justice issues from a faith perspective that reaches more than 4,000 people.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program We provide free virtual and in-person instruction for English language learners in greater Boston in collaboration with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), which has established the standard in Boston for these learning experiences. From 2018 through the end of 2025, we enrolled more than 1,000 students in our program.
• Grab & Go meal program A Food Assistance program for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Boston.
• Newsletter Includes social justice and event news highlights and a spiritual reflection by qualified theologians circulated weekly by email to more than 4,000 followers.
• Continual learning opportunities Virtual connection to our subscribers, including “live” and pre-recorded videos on social media.

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Organization A Faith That Does Justice (AFTDJ)

Location Boston’s Back Bay

Schedule Tuesday morning availability required, with limited coordination during the week

Time commitment Approximately 4–6 hours per week

Position type Volunteer

About A Faith That Does Justice A Faith That Does Justice (AFTDJ) is an interfaith organization that invites people to live their faith intentionally through service to others. We address unjust societal structures and respond directly to the needs of people experiencing food insecurity and other forms of marginalization.

About The Opportunity AFTDJ seeks a reliable, organized volunteer to serve as Program Operations Manager for its weekly Grab & Go Food Assistance Program in Boston’s Back Bay. This hands-on operations role helps ensure that the people, supplies, procedures, and on-site logistics are in place each week so that meals can be prepared and distributed efficiently, reliably, and with dignity.

The Program Operations Manager works closely with the Director of the Food Assistance Program and with volunteer team leads. The role is not expected to perform every task personally. Rather, the Manager helps organize the work, anticipate needs, coordinate volunteers, and address practical issues before and during program operations.

What You Will Do

• Help ensure the reliable weekly preparation and distribution of Grab & Go meals.
• Coordinate the practical flow of program-day activities, including setup, meal preparation, distribution, and cleanup.
• Work with the Director and other AFTDJ leaders to ensure that volunteer slots are filled or backup coverage is arranged.
• Serve as a welcoming and practical point of contact for volunteers before and during program activities.
• Help volunteers understand their roles, timing, and responsibilities so they can contribute confidently.
• Monitor food, packaging, and other supplies needed for weekly operations.
• Communicate purchasing, restocking, or storage needs to the Director of the Food Assistance Program or designated shoppers.
• Help maintain clear written procedures, checklists, and practical instructions for recurring program tasks.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow, reduce confusion, and make program operations easier for volunteers to execute consistently.
• Support a respectful, hospitable, and team-oriented environment for volunteers and guests.

Who We Are Looking For

• A dependable person who is comfortable with hands-on, practical work.
• Someone with experience coordinating volunteers, organizing a small operation, or helping lead a recurring community service activity.
• A clear and prompt communicator who can work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• A calm problem solver who can adjust when plans change and can alert leadership when larger issues require guidance.
• Someone comfortable using email, spreadsheets, SignUpGenius, or similar scheduling and coordination tools.
• A person who brings sensitivity to issues of food insecurity, homelessness, and social justice.

What Success Looks Like Success in this role means that weekly Grab & Go operations run consistently and respectfully; volunteer coverage is adequate or backup plans are in place; supplies and logistics are organized; volunteers feel welcomed and supported; and guests are served efficiently and with dignity.

Why This Role Matters This role directly supports AFTDJ’s ability to provide reliable food assistance to people experiencing food insecurity. By helping the weekly operation run smoothly, the Program Operations Manager strengthens the experience of both guests and volunteers and helps sustain a program rooted in respect, service, and human dignity.

Personal Qualities

• Practical, reliable, and organized.
• Warm and respectful in working with volunteers and guests.
• Comfortable taking initiative while working within established program practices.
• Committed to AFTDJ’s mission of inspiring faith in action through service to others.

How To Express Interest To express interest, please contact A Faith That Does Justice and tell us briefly why this opportunity appeals to you and what relevant volunteer, operations, logistics, or leadership experience you would bring to the role.

Suggested Idealist Summary A Faith That Does Justice seeks a reliable, organized volunteer to help manage weekly operations for its Grab & Go Food Assistance Program in Boston’s Back Bay. This hands-on role helps coordinate volunteers, supplies, procedures, and on-site logistics so that meals are prepared and distributed consistently, respectfully, and with dignity.