Position Available: Americorps VISTA

GardenShare is seeking a full-time person for an Americorps VISTA position.  This position will work with the five farmers markets in St. Lawrence County to promote the use of SNAP benefits at the markets and to engage more volunteers and build the sustainability of the markets.  The VISTA will also work to strengthen GardenShare and build the organization's capacity through volunteer recruitment and support.

What is the Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps Program?

The Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps (AHOC) is a nationwide AmeriCorps VISTA program, funded by the USDA with matching support from the Walmart Foundation, sponsored by the Hunger Free America (HFA). The AHOC program partners with some of the nation’s most innovative anti-hunger nonprofit organizations which support HFA’s mission of “moving families beyond the soup kitchen.”  AHOC engages those who commit a year of their life as community change agents in this best practices originating and highly commended program by way of new project implementation, capacity building, volunteer management and community support building while simultaneously breaking down barriers and providing improved access to nutritious foods via nutrition education and benefits utilization, including SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) and the Summer Food Service Program.

 Program Benefits:

  Professional work experience with some of the nation’s  most respected anti-hunger organizations

  Living allowance, paid biweekly 

  Segal Education Award ($5,775) or End-of-Service Stipend ($1,500)

  Opportunity to forbear student loans while in service

  Relocation Assistance (if applicable)

  Childcare Assistance (if applicable)

  Optional Life Insurance

  One year non-competitive status for US federal government positions

 A network of over 180,000 AmeriCorps VISTA  volunteers and alums

 How to Apply:

GardenShare is seeking one person to join the program in June 2017.  Apply with a cover letter and resume to gloria@gardenshare.org by March 31, 2017.

About GardenShare:

GardenShare has worked to end hunger and strengthen our local food system since 1996.  Originally formed as a network of gardeners sharing their extra harvest with local food pantries, GardenShare has since embraced a larger vision and adopted this refreshed mission statement in March 2015:  GardenShare's mission is to solve the problem of hunger in St. Lawrence County through policy advocacy work and by strengthening the food system to benefit all County residents.

For more information about GardenShare:  www.gardenshare.org  or contact info@gardenshare.org