OneOC: Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Volunteers Needed for the Orange County Food Bank “The Giving Farm” at Westminster High School

OneOC’s mission is to “accelerate nonprofit success.” OneOC provides volunteers, training, consulting and business services to nonprofits to help them become as efficient and effective as they are passionate about their missions.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), is a free members-only program through the Corporation of National Community Service for adults age 55 and beyond. Established in 1971, RSVP is one of the largest senior volunteer organizations in the nation with more than 360,000 volunteers. Volunteers can use the skills and talents they’ve learned over the years or develop new ones while serving in a variety of volunteer activities within our community.

OneOC hosts RSVP volunteers in local Orange County nonprofits to ensure that those most in need of education, food security, food delivery and employment receive the help they need most. RSVP volunteers choose where and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours a month to 40 hours per week.

Benefits of RSVP:

Personalized Matching — RSVP Orange County has over three decades of experience in matching volunteers with opportunities to meet community needs. We are here to find you the right opportunity for your passions, skills, interests, and your schedule

Volunteer Insurance — excess accident medical coverage while volunteering

Recognition — members are eligible for annual recognition including the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, special events and more

Community Engagement — newsletters, e-news, website including new opportunities, events, training opportunities and more

Organization: Community Action Partnership of Orange County, most known for operating the Orange County Food Bank, is looking for volunteers to help with one of its newest programs named “The Giving Farm.”

Location: The 8 acre farm is located on the Westminster High School campus at 14325 Goldenwest St, Westminster, CA 92683.

About: The Giving Farm is a farm-to-food bank program that works to promote student and community engagement in the California agricultural industry. The program expects to deliver over 200,000 pounds of produce annually for consumption by low-income communities. This enhances opportunities for students and volunteers to learn about urban agriculture and the connection to local food networks and also provides nutrition education about the importance of healthy eating and active lifestyles for at-risk youth.

Position: Volunteers are needed to help run the day-to-day operations at the farm. Continual maintenance of the fields, equipment, buildings, and systems are important to ensuring the sustainability of the farm and success of the program. Tasks assigned will depend on the volunteer’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Possible tasks include:

Harvesting, planting, pruning, trimming

Weeding, clearing debris, picking up trash

Inventory management/tool repair

Systems management e.g. irrigation, hydroponics/aquaponics, etc.

Assist leading volunteer projects/farm events

Landscape design/gardening

Construction of trellises, livestock housing, solar panel housing, equipment storage, etc.

Hours of Volunteer Service: RSVP volunteers may serve 1-40 hours weekly. We are very flexible with hours a volunteer may help at the farm. Typical farm operating hours are 7:30am – 4pm M-F with volunteers events taking place mostly on Saturday mornings. The days and times will depend on what tasks you are interested in and how much responsibility you would like to take on.

Wage/Benefits: This volunteer opportunity has no pay. Volunteers can expect free entrance to farm events, ability to engage community/political/corporate leaders, the opportunity to learn about the urban agriculture industry, and may periodically take home fresh produce grown on the farm!

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to participate as an RSVP Volunteer, the candidate must be age 55 or older and complete the RSVP application.

Volunteers must also complete a VIPS application/emergency information form through the high school. They must also have a valid form of identification, pass a background check, complete a TB assessment with the school nurse, and have fingerprints taken through Live Scan.

How to Apply: You may apply directly to the RSVP Volunteer Program by emailing Abby Edmunds at aedmunds@oneoc.org