Summary
Description
Join Us in Making a Difference – One Lunch at a Time!
Are you passionate about building community, creating meaningful volunteer experiences, and supporting a cause that truly matters?
Do you thrive in a fast-paced kitchen environment where collaboration, coordination, and connection come together for a greater purpose?
Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids (BB4CK) is looking for a compassionate and organized individual to join our team as a Kitchen Engagement Coordinator. In this role, you will play a vital part in supporting the day-to-day operations of our downtown kitchen—engaging and guiding volunteers, coordinating food preparation, and creating a warm and welcoming space where people feel valued and connected.
Your work will directly support the preparation of thousands of lunches each week, helping ensure Calgary's kids have access to the nourishment they need to thrive.
If you're energized by community involvement, love building relationships, and enjoy bringing people together for meaningful action, we would love to hear from you!
About Us
For over 30 years, Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids (BB4CK) has been dedicated to ensuring every child in our city has access to the food they need to thrive. Together with our BB4CK community— volunteers, parents, school staff, and donors— we connect kids to nutritious meals through school lunches and summer camps and by supporting families with grocery cards. We are committed to providing low-barrier, dignified access to food, ensuring every child feels cared for and supported by their community.
Our vision: A future where communities ensure no kids go hungry.
Our mission: Connect and inspire people to take meaningful action to feed and care for kids.
Position Overview
The Kitchen Engagement Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the daily operations of Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids (BB4CK) by creating a welcoming, organized, and mission-driven environment for volunteers working in the kitchen. This role ensures volunteers feel supported, prepared, and connected to BB4CK's vision while contributing to the efficient preparation and distribution of nutritious lunches for children across Calgary.
The Kitchen Engagement Coordinator collaborates closely with the Kitchen Engagement Specialist, the Volunteer Engagement Team and the broader BB4CK team to foster a positive kitchen culture, maintain food safety standards, and promote an exceptional volunteer experience.
Key Responsibilities of the Kitchen Engagement Coordinator:
Whole Organization
- Take ownership of your personal and professional health and well-being to ensure you can effectively perform in this role.
- Actively support and contribute to BB4CK's vision and mission.
- Complete assigned tasks efficiently while upholding BB4CK's values and culture.
- Perform additional duties as needed to support the success of the team.
Volunteer Coordination & Support
- Welcome, orient, and support kitchen volunteers upon arrival, providing clear instructions and setting the tone for a positive experience.
- Communicate daily production plans, including the number of lunches to prepare and food safety guidelines.
- Monitor volunteer activities throughout the shift, offering coaching, encouragement, and assistance as needed to ensure smooth operations.
- Support daily kitchen readiness by confirming volunteer coverage in collaboration with the Volunteer Engagement Team.
Kitchen Operations Support
- Assist with preparing, assembling, and packaging lunches to meet daily production goals.
- Ensure volunteers follow kitchen safety protocols and Alberta Health Services (AHS) food handling standards.
- Identify and report any operational challenges or equipment needs to the Kitchen Engagement Specialist promptly.
- Support the upkeep of kitchen cleanliness, organization, and safety.
Community Building & Engagement
- Foster a culture of trust, respect, and inclusion in the kitchen environment, aligning with BB4CK values.
- Build positive relationships with volunteers, creating a strong sense of community and purpose.
- Gather volunteer feedback and share insights to enhance the kitchen experience.
Administration & Communication
- Share timely kitchen updates and shift needs with internal teams to support volunteer coordination and ensure smooth daily operations.
- Help design and update in-kitchen messaging, signage, and onboarding tools that reflect BB4CK's values and create a sense of welcome.
Education and Experience
- 2–4 years of experience in volunteer coordination, kitchen operations, hospitality, or community service is preferred; equivalent combinations of education and experience will also be considered.
- Experience working in a nonprofit or food-related environment is an asset.
- Valid Alberta Food Safety Certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire) is required.
- Experience working with diverse volunteer groups is preferred.
Other Knowledge and Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills with a friendly, welcoming, and people-centred approach.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to foster an inclusive, respectful, and mission-aligned environment.
- Clear communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Commitment to food safety, cleanliness, and high-quality kitchen standards.
Kitchen Support
- All employees of BB4CK are expected to offer their support in our kitchen spaces, as needed, while managing their capacity and schedules throughout the course of their employment.
This Opportunity Might Be for You If You
- Enjoy building connections, collaborating, and creating a welcoming environment.
- Are comfortable adapting to change and learning new skills or tools.
- Thrive working both independently and as part of a team.
Work Environment & Requirements
- Primarily based in the BB4CK central kitchen in Calgary.
- Regularly scheduled to support “variant” shifts:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, and
- Tuesday and Thursday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm.
- Ability to be on your feet for extended periods and perform light to moderate physical tasks (e.g., lifting up to 25 lbs)
- This role requires consistent weekly evening availability, with shifts extending until 7:30 p.m. and flexibility to support evening or weekend volunteer events as needed.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe, dignified, and efficient kitchen environment.
What We Offer
BB4CK offers a competitive total compensation approach to support our people's physical, psychological, cultural, and financial well-being. Base salary is calculated at the 50th percentile of market value, with additional benefits equivalent to over $18,000.
How to Apply
If this opportunity aligns with your experience and inspires you, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your interest and qualifications.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Need accommodation?
If you need alternate accommodations to submit your resume and cover letter, don't hesitate to contact the People and Culture Team Lead, Margaret, at 403.264.7979. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and this position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
We thank all applicants for their interest and time; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
