Tips and Tricks: Increasing Success through Knowledge
Hosting a Mobile Pantry is not always easy. In this section we aim to identify common challenges that occur and present some possible solutions.
Challenge: Conflicts arising from the presence of sweets and baked goods.
Details: Often, when baked goods and sweets, such as cakes and pies, are present on the menu at a Mobile Pantry, issues may arise, whether from a concern that not everyone will receive the same items or the perception that clients who volunteer get first pick. In either scenario, you can take steps to ensure the process runs smoothly for everyone. Below are several tips to help you handle this issue should it come up:
1. Do not allow volunteers who are also clients to go through the line first or go through the line prior to the start of the distribution.
Ask your volunteers to sign in and wait in line like the other clients being served. This will help foster feelings of equity between your organization and the clients you are serving, while also keeping in line with Feeding America West Michigan’s policies.
2. Ensure all parties receiving food sign in to the attendance log.
This will not only provide more accurate records, it will help control the flow of food by creating a standard for everyone to follow.
3. Consider leaving most of the baked goods and sweets on the pallet instead of setting them all out on the table.
Try removing fewer items at a time and allow people to choose between them. Randomizing the selection helps gives all parties a fair opportunity to receive a specialty item, such as a sheet cake, and should eliminate the perception of preferential or biased treatment, while still allowing for client choice.
Let us know what works for you so we can share the information with everyone!
