Food Delivery Volunteer Information
Guidelines
We provide food
For the safety of our staff, clients, residents, and other volunteers, please make sure you follow these guidelines before volunteering:
- Non-vulnerable volunteers only (no preexisting conditions, over 18 years old and under 65)
- No vulnerable people living in your household
- If you are experiencing any symptoms, or have experienced symptoms in the past 14 days, (fever, headache, shortness of breath, etc.) please do not volunteer.
- If you’ve been in contact with anyone within the past 14 days who has COVID-19, please do not volunteer.
- If you need to cancel, give 24 hours notice if possible.
Duties
Volunteers will be called upon to help deliver much needed food and supplies to seniors and families in our community. You may be delivering supplies from our food pantry and/or hot meals from local restaurants.
Food Pantry Info:
- LTSC’s food pantry supports clients and residents in need, which includes many Latinx, Japanese, Korean and Asian Pacific Islander folks.
- LTSC’s food pantry fills this need in our community by stocking personal hygiene products and non-perishable, easy to prepare food items.
- Desired items include: beans, tuna, soups, pastas, mac & cheese, snacks for kids, tortillas, bread, rice, dried noodles, and other items such as; toilet paper, Clorox wipes, and hand sanitizers.
- Monetary donations are also highly appreciated.
- Delivery destinations are within walking distance from LTSC’s office. Volunteers may drive if desired.
- There will be no exchange of cash at delivery.
‘Little Tokyo Eats’ Info:
- Starting on April 6th, we will be delivering meals three times a week to seniors in Little Tokyo and the immediate Downtown area.
- We are ordering meals from Little Tokyo restaurants (at full price) to support our local businesses. Our generous partner, Keiro, is subsidizing meals for our seniors, so their out-of-pocket cost is only about $3 per meal.
- Restaurants and delivery destinations are within walking distance from LTSC’s office. Volunteers may drive if desired.
- These meals are prepaid, so there will be no exchange of cash at delivery. Volunteers are only delivering food to residents.
(The Little Tokyo Eats Program is a partnership with LTSC, LTCC and Keiro)
Procedure:
- Staff will reach out to schedule volunteer shifts.
- Volunteers will go to the LTSC’s office to pick up supplies. This includes:
- Name badge for identification
- Gloves
- Masks
- Hand sanitizer
- From the office, volunteers will be dispatched to their assigned building to deliver supplies/meals.
- Specific delivery instructions for each residential building will be given to volunteers by email or in person.
Health Precautions:
- Please practice frequent hand washing, or using hand sanitizer if not able to wash hands
- Wipe down delivery carts
- Use elbows at crossing signals
- Wear gloves and masks when delivering food
Meet all the requirements and ready to volunteer?
If you don’t meet the requirements, or volunteering is outside your capacity, please consider giving a monetary donation to our food pantry during this trying time so we can continue providing resources to those in need:
FAQs
What is the Little Tokyo Eats program all about?
Many seniors live alone, and with the Safer-at-Home public order, they are strongly encouraged to stay inside. This leads to many problems, like social isolation, but most importantly – access to food. This program intends to improve the quality of life of our low-income seniors by providing affordable, nutritious and culturally familiar meals.
At the same time, restaurant owners are adapting to takeout and delivery options in order to remain open. Many of our Little Tokyo businesses are struggling to make it through this tough time. We are ordering meals from participating Little Tokyo restaurants (at full price) to support our local businesses. Our generous partner, Keiro, is subsidizing meals for our seniors, so their out-of-pocket cost is only about $3 per meal.
What will volunteers be doing?
As a volunteer, you will help deliver food for our food pantry or our Little Tokyo Eats program. Please adhere to the health precautions outlined above.
Food Pantry: You will be dispatched to one of LTSC’s affordable housing buildings to complete a “no-contact” delivery of food pantry items to our families and seniors in need.
Little Tokyo Eats: You will be dispatched to one of Little Tokyo’s affordable housing buildings where seniors live (Casa Heiwa, Little Tokyo Towers, Miyako Gardens, Far East Building and San Pedro Firm Building). There you will meet the restaurant workers when they deliver the food to the building. Then you will be making a “no-contact delivery” to senior residents‘ individual units. Some volunteers may be asked to go to the restaurant to help with packaging and bagging food to prepare for delivery.
When will I be volunteering?
You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator who will let you know on what day you are needed. As of now, restaurant meals are delivered to seniors on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Volunteers are needed from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. When asked to volunteer, please report to the Volunteer Area at LTSC by 3 p.m.
Am I working alone when I vounteer?
No, you will generally be assigned to a team (per delivery building) with a Lead that will direct, assist and support you.
Where do I park? Do I need to drive to various places?
You should plan to park at LTSC in the Casa Heiwa building, 231 E Third Street, LA. Please use the kiosk in the driveway to dial our receptionist, who will buzz you into the garage.
All of the restaurants and senior buildings are within walking distance from Casa Heiwa.
What do I need to bring? Will I be outdoors?
If you’re able, please bring your own mask, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc. If you don’t have these things, LTSC will provide them the first time you volunteer. You will be outdoors for a short period of time as you go from LTSC to your designated senior building, and back. Please practice social distancing while walking, even among volunteers and staff.
Other questions?
If you have any other questions, please contact:
Ikuko Ashihara: iashihara@LTSC.orgcreate new email
Mike Murase: mmurase@LTSC.orgcreate new email (310-710-2520)
Margaret Shimada: mshimada@LTSC.orgcreate new email
Thank you SO MUCH for volunteering to help others at a difficult time. We have a proud tradition in Little Tokyo of caring for each other, and you are adding to that tradition!
