Reed College
Reed College

SEEDS

Food Security: Volunteer Opportunities

Through SEEDS, you can volunteer with the Reed Community Pantry on campus.

Reed Community Pantry

The Reed Community Pantry (RCP) provides essential food items, toiletries, hygiene products, books, and more at no cost to members of the Reed community. This resource is open to Reed students, faculty, and staff. For more information, see our pantry FAQ.
 

RCP Opportunities

  • Volunteer to staff the RCP on a regular, weekly basis.
  • Donate food and supplies directly to the RCP (visit the RCP website for more information).
  • The Reed Community Pantry is part of a cross-campus effort to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the resources they need to learn and thrive. You can support the RCP by making a donation on Reed’s giving page here. When you fill out your giving details, mark that your gift is for Reed’s Basic Needs Initiative. 
  • Organize food and supplies drives—rally your office or department to undertake a campus-wide food or supply drive for the RCP. Contact the RCP team to collaborate!

Contact the Reed Community Pantry!


Northeast Emergency Food Program

*NEFP opportunities are temperoarily on pause due to COVID-19, please stay tuned for updates on this program.  For more information, contact SEEDS.

The Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP) is an organization that recognizes access to nutritious food as a human right. Run by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the program has no geographical boundaries, making pantry resources accessible to a large portion of Portland and the surrounding areas. NEFP allows students to engage with the greater Portland area while also developing professional and personal skills in community engagement.

NEFP Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get paid for participating in NEFP volunteer trips?

Currently, NEFP trip participants are not paid. However, there are Federal Work-Study-eligible positions at NEFP. If you have Federal Work-Study, your NEFP coordinator can put you in contact with Cecilia Estraviz, who can chat with you about how to apply for one of the Federal Work-Study positions. You can also apply through Reed on Handshake.

What will I be doing during an outing with Northeast Emergency Food Program?

A typical NEFP outing starts with a group conversation about NEFP’s mission and vision, how NEFP fits into our understanding of food justice, and its intersections with other issues we care about. We will then travel to NEFP in a Reed College van, driven by your NEFP coordinator. The coordinator will hand out snacks, give a quick run-down of what to expect when you arrive on-site, and check-in with the group about any questions or concerns. When we arrive, we’ll connect with Cecilia Estraviz, our community partner, who will talk a bit more about NEFP and our specific volunteer roles. Once our time in the pantry has come to a close, we will gather outside the van and hold a group reflection, focusing on our experience at NEFP, as well as how we can continue to engage with our community in the future.

What should I wear? 

Whatever you’re comfortable in! It’s a little chilly in the pantry, so we encourage a long-sleeve t-shirt or light sweater, as well as pants and closed-toe shoes.

Will I have access to a gender-neutral bathroom? Water? Snacks? 

Yes! NEFP provides access to gender-neutral bathrooms and water. Snacks are provided by SEEDS.

Can I receive accommodations that will allow me to attend a trip outing?

Yes! Reed vans and NEFP entrances are accessible. While participating in NEFP includes standing and walking for longer periods of time, we always encourage students to participate in the ways that are most accessible to them. Breaks are always important, and we encourage any participant to address their needs while on an outing. If you have any questions or concerns about specific accommodations, please contact seeds@reed.edu.