Graduate Student Worker - Food Security Programs (Free Food Alert & Paws' Pantry)

Position Summary

The Graduate Student Worker will play a key role in advancing food security initiatives at Indiana University Indianapolis by serving as the primary campus coordinator for the Free Food Alert program and providing operational support for the Paws' Pantry. This position is ideal for a graduate student passionate about student success, community engagement, basic needs, and sustainability.

The graduate assistant will lead campus outreach efforts to expand participation in the Free Food Alert platform, which connects students with free food remaining after campus meetings, programs, and events, reducing food waste while helping address student food insecurity. The app allows campus offices and student organizations to notify students in real time when leftover food is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free Food Alert Program (Approximately 50%)

• Serve as the primary campus liaison for the Free Food Alert program.  
• Recruit and train campus departments, student organizations, and event planners to utilize the Free Food Alert platform. 
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to increase student awareness, downloads, and active use of the mobile application. 
• Conduct presentations during orientation programs, student organization meetings, staff meetings, and campus events. 
• Create promotional materials and social media content to increase visibility of the program. 
• Assist campus partners in establishing best practices for posting leftover food opportunities. 
• Monitor program usage and participation trends and prepare periodic reports summarizing key metrics and recommendations. 
• Collaborate with campus dining, student organizations, academic departments, and administrative offices to increase food postings. 
• Identify opportunities to expand the program across campus and improve overall user engagement. 
• Serve as the first point of contact for routine questions and troubleshooting from campus users. 

Paws' Pantry Support (Approximately 50%)

• Support outreach and education efforts for the campus pantry and basic needs resources, including classroom presentations, tabling, campus events, and other student engagement opportunities.
• Assist with the development and implementation of marketing and promotional efforts, including flyers, social media content, and other materials that increase awareness of pantry services and food access resources.
• Prepare and coordinate emergency food pickup bags and other resources designed to meet the immediate food needs of students.
• Serve as a student liaison with campus dining partners, helping coordinate collaborative events, food access initiatives, donations, and outreach opportunities.
• Identify and support opportunities to increase the pantry’s visibility and engagement across campus through partnerships with student organizations, academic programs, campus departments, and other stakeholders.
• Assist with other pantry outreach, programming, and special projects as assigned based on emerging student and campus needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current graduate student enrolled at Indiana University Indianapolis. 
• Strong organizational and project management skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. 
• Comfortable presenting to groups and building relationships with campus partners. 
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, equity, and basic needs initiatives. 
• Experience with event planning, marketing, communications, or student organizations preferred. 
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and social media platforms. 
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities. 

Desired Competencies

• Initiative and self-motivation 
• Relationship building 
• Public speaking and outreach 
• Data organization and reporting 
• Problem solving 
• Customer service 
• Collaboration across diverse campus partners