FAITH FOOD AND FRIENDS OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTOR                           

Program Overview

Old St. Joseph Church is the Jesuit parish of Philadelphia. The parish outreach program, Faith Food & Friends (FF&F), was established in 1986 and is totally funded by the parish. An all-volunteer staff consisting of a four-member administrative team and over 60 regular volunteers operate the program on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings year-round except for a week to 10 days in August and in December.  The program shares the parish hall and kitchen, with guest attendance limited to seventy. A meal is freshly prepared and served. Personal care items are distributed, and social services support is provided including assistance with applications for shelter and housing; mail drop distribution; and assistance with paperwork for various social programs. Blood pressure screenings and talks on health topics are given. Guests participate in neighborhood cleanup and beautification and other projects led by volunteers. 

The Director of Faith Food & Friends utilizes experience in food services to oversee this feeding and support program for Philadelphians who are unsheltered, unhoused, food insecure and marginalized. The guests are adult men and women who experience poverty, homelessness, mental health and substance abuse disorders, and a lack of community support.  In keeping with the Jesuit values of community and social justice, the faith-based mission of the program is to foster a sense of community through breaking bread together. 

Community partnerships include shelter and housing services, health care and medical professional schools, university service-learning programs, veterans’ services organizations, Archdiocese of Philadelphia and various community businesses and volunteer groups and organizations.

Job Overview

The Director of FF&F is a member of the parish staff answering to the pastor. The Director is responsible for managing the program in all respects, according to its longstanding goals and values reflected in the program’s mission statement and guidance from the pastor in consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council.

The Director should have a deep understanding of the program’s mission and client base and an understanding of how the underlying Jesuit values ground this program’s ministry. The Director should have experience dealing with those who are mentally ill and those suffering from substance-abuse disorders.  

Duties and Responsibilities

• This is a permanent, part-time position
• Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes health insurance benefits
• Attend and supervise during all preparation, service and cleanup/lockup service hours, three days per week
• Attend parish staff meetings once per week
• Ensure safe and sanitary food production and storage in compliance with any governing local, state and federal regulations pertaining to community outreach and feeding programs; ensure that FF&F maintains and complies with the requirements of the applicable food service license issued by the City of Philadelphia.  
• Ensure high quality sanitary practices throughout the parish kitchen and hall
• Work with volunteer leaders to organize and manage food purchasing and storage; menu planning; and restaurant style service to guests
• Maintain a secure environment for guests and volunteers
• Manage train and coordinate current volunteers
• Recruit and train new staff and volunteers as appropriate
• Prepare reports and notices on outreach activities as needed
• Communicate with Old St. Joseph Parish pastor, parish staff and parish pastoral council
• Provide organizational support and coordination for all ancillary services
• Coordinate and collaborate with other parish ministries and parish programs/events.
• Build and maintain relationships with FF&F’s community partners
• Assess the need for and effectiveness of new partnerships

Qualifications

• Managerial and administrative experience in religious or nonprofit social services
• Experience in food service programs for poor, homeless and marginalized adults
• Experience dealing with people with psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders

• Spanish as a first or second language preferred
• Demonstrated Adaptability and Flexibility skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills including active listening and empathy

Further Information

For further information, contact Old Saint Joseph’s Parish Business Manager at 215 923 1733 or office@oldstjoseph.org

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their experience and qualifications to Old Saint Joseph’s Parish Business Manager. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.