Community & Volunteer Engagement VISTA

Now Hiring: Community & Volunteer Engagement VISTA – Table to Table 🌱- Iowa City, IA

Hello,

Are you passionate about reducing food waste, strengthening volunteer systems, and building a more just food system? Nourish Iowa is now recruiting for a Community & Volunteer Engagement VISTA serving with Table to Table.

About the Host Site

Table to Table bridges the gap between abundance and hunger. Volunteers collect surplus food from donors and redistribute it to partners and individuals who can use it. Since April 1996, Table to Table volunteers have rescued and distributed over 30 million pounds of food to area agencies.

Their work brings together community members and organizations to create a more just and less wasteful food system — ensuring good food reaches people instead of landfills.

About the Role

As the Community & Volunteer Engagement VISTA, you will strengthen Table to Table’s volunteer systems to support food rescue operations and community outreach efforts. Your work will build long-term capacity and improve volunteer experience, retention, and impact.

What You’ll Do

* Build a centralized volunteer portal
* Organize and enhance volunteer training resources
* Create shared onboarding tools for partners
* Assess volunteer roles and improve role clarity
* Develop surveys and guides to improve consistency and satisfaction
* Support strategies to increase volunteer retention
* Write newsletter content and share impact stories
* Support volunteer-led outreach and community visibility efforts

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys community engagement, organizing systems, storytelling, and supporting volunteers in meaningful service.

Why Join Nourish Iowa?

As part of a statewide Nourish Iowa cohort, you’ll gain:

* Regular cohort meetings & site visits
* Professional development coordinated by a VISTA Leader
* Engagement with local, statewide, and national food systems leaders
* Free enrollment in Iowa State University’s Local Food Leader Certification course

You’ll serve alongside peers who are building a more just and equitable food system throughout Iowa.

Program Details

* Program Type: AmeriCorps VISTA
* Service Dates: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
* Schedule: Full-Time
* Education Level: Some college
* Age Requirement: 18+
* Applications Accepted: February 18, 2026 – June 19, 2026

Benefits Include:

* Living Allowance
* Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
* Education Award upon successful completion of service
* Health Coverage
* Childcare Assistance (if eligible)
* Relocation Allowance
* Ongoing training and professional development

Car recommended. Members may attend school or work another job during off hours.

If you’re ready to help reduce food waste, strengthen volunteer engagement, and expand access to nutritious food, we encourage you to apply!

Apply here:
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=120275
For questions, contact:
Sarah Steinmeyer
[sarah.steinmeyer@uni.edu]
319-273-2626
[www.nourishiowa.org]

Join us in rescuing food, strengthening communities, and building a more just food system. 🌽🍎