Food Security Project VISTA

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region (UWDOR)

Position Description

Position Title: Food Security Project VISTA

Reports to: Vice President of Community Impact

Start Date: August 2026

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange’s mission is to support the health, education, and the financial stability of every person in our community. The proposed VISTA project will build, enhance and expand UWDOR’s efforts to increase the number of individuals and families with improved access to nutritious food.

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program dedicated to alleviating poverty in the United States. Founded in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network in 1993, it places full-time members with nonprofits and public agencies to build their capacity to address local poverty-related challenges. The program emphasizes sustainable solutions and community empowerment through service and collaboration.

The VISTA project will seek to:

• Increase community awareness and support for program objectives by conducting community outreach.
• Recruit, train, and manage corporate and community volunteers to enhance food access initiatives.
• Expand presence of Volunteer Portal in community
• Expand and strengthen partnerships and networks with organizations working to achieve similar goals.

Overview of Responsibilities:

This VISTA member will contribute to the goals of the project by performing activities that will enhance and develop United Way's Food Security Project. Such tasks will include:

• Attend community coalition meetings and identify best practices.
• Research/review resource development strategies and systems for food programs at UWDOR and partners.
• Other activities that will increase organizational capabilities to remove economic barriers for individuals and families over the course of the year.

Field of Service:

• Community and Economic Development
• Community Outreach
• Hunger
• Homelessness
• Housing

We Offer:

• Education award upon successful completion of service
• Health coverage
• Stipend or Living Allowance
• Professional development opportunities

Additional Information

• Car recommended
• Permits attendance at school during off hours
• Permits working at another job during off hours
• If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Lull at rlull@uwdor.org.

PLEASE SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO: ci-inbox@uwdor.org

For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/member_portal/health_care_benefit_…

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.