At Second Harvest Heartland, we believe our differences make us stronger. We draw strength from the unique experiences of each and every employee and our community. We aspire to foster an inclusive culture – in the way we interact with each other and in every area of our work. We commit to advancing equity to make Second Harvest Heartland a better place to work, to be a better partner and to inspire a community where equity is a driver to ultimately end hunger.

Join our SNAP Outreach Team has Internship opportunities available. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allows income-qualifying families to receive assistance in buying groceries each month, ensuring that individuals do not have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. Second Harvest Heartland is a food bank that operates within 59 counties in central Minnesota, with offices located in Brooklyn Park. The SNAP Outreach Department at the food bank employs 15 full-time staff members, and the SNAP Outreach Interns support the department in a variety of meaningful ways.

Interns will interact directly with participants either out in the community, at sites like food shelves or produce distributions, or over the phone from Second Harvest Heartland’s office. In addition to referring participants to relevant food programs and connecting them to application assistance, the interns will also be given the opportunity to work on projects that further develop their skill sets and interests.

The SNAP Outreach Interns will receive direct supervision under the SNAP Outreach Generalist, and are expected to participate in team meetings, professional development opportunities, and engage regularly with other interns and staff.  By the end of the internship, the SNAP Outreach Interns will have gained valuable experience in community outreach, public speaking, and interpersonal communication, as well as an increased knowledge of federal nutrition programs.

Time Requirements and Schedule: 

• Total time requirement: 6 months; 12-15 hours per week.
• Orientation Day: Week of March 6, 2023 – 9:00am – 3:00pm
• Days of the week: Flexible, generally Monday through Friday
• Time of the day: Flexible, generally regular business hours 8:00am – 4:30pm
• Work sites: Second Harvest Heartland office site in Brooklyn Park, as well as various partner sites throughout the Twin Cities metro.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Become an advocate for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and understand relevant qualifications.
• Make phone calls to community members interested in applying or learning more about SNAP and help screen their eligibility
• Conduct outreach at partner organizations and over the phone, which will include:
  • Speaking with clients about SNAP and other relevant assistance programs at the county Human Services level.
  • Gathering relevant qualification information from interested clients for food assistance programs and referring them to Second Harvest Heartland’s SNAP Outreach Team for application assistance.
  • Providing information to individuals in an effort to increase their knowledge and future utilization of SNAP and other resources in their community.
• Provide feedback to Second Harvest Heartland in regard to the needs of the community.
• Be a representative of Second Harvest Heartland in the community.
• Engage in opportunities for professional development.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned by your supervisor.

Must Have: 

• Some education, or in pursuit of experience/education in a related field (social services, education, marketing, nutrition, public health, sociology, etc.)
• Willingness to engage with culturally and financially diverse communities.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• Time-management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and self-motivate.
• Access to a reliable form of transportation.
• A moderate level of comfort using modern technology, including computers and Microsoft Office Suite programs.

Nice to Have:

• Some customer service experience preferred.
• Bilingual in other languages highly desired, (Spanish, Somali, Hmong).

Our Values: 

• We deliver.
• We lead with our hearts.
• We innovate.
• We are all in this together.
• We believe our differences make us stronger.

Professional Development Objectives: 

• Making concrete, positive changes in the food security of households in Minnesota.
• Become a knowledgeable advocate for SNAP and other social assistance programs such as NAPS, WIC, Medical Assistance, etc.
• Increase personal comfort and confidence with direct service to diverse and low-income populations.
• Learn to work independently while serving an integral role within a broader team.
• Be introduced to the inner workings of a successful non-profit and develop a range of outreach skills.
• Gain exposure to a variety of program models by working closely with a number of other non-profits and community organizations.
• Receive guidance and feedback in resume and cover letter writing, networking and interview skills and partake in other professional development opportunities.
• Increase understanding of state and federal polices in regard to federally funded programs.

Starting Pay Rate: $15 – $20 USD hourly or more / Dependent on Qualifications and Experience.

Second Harvest Heartland is an EEO/AA Employer.

Second Harvest Heartland believes no one should ever go hungry, as our region produces more than enough food for everyone. Helping hungry neighbors find their next meal—so they can thrive at work, in the classroom and in their communities—is what drives Second Harvest Heartland, its partners and supporters. Beyond feeding hungry neighbors, Second Harvest Heartland believes in the importance of our work to help sustain our environment.