Parking Assistants for the Empty Bowls Monongalia Luncheon

Empty Bowls Monongalia (EBM) is a non-profit organization that raises money to combat food insecurity in Monongalia County. Last year we raised $169,000, most of which was distribute to 22 pantries, meal programs and weekend backpack programs, in the form of grants. EBM raises money through many events throughout the year, but our “Signature Event” is the annual Soup and Bread Luncheon, Feb 24, this year. Last year local restaurants donated 400 gal of soups and many loaves of bread; about 2,000 patrons were served between 11 am and 2:30 pm; about 370 volunteers worked Fri before the luncheon and Sat during the luncheon.

Parking Assistants are essential for the success of the luncheon! Their functions include: directing volunteers to a small parking lot and patrons to the main parking lot; directing patrons to specific parking spaces; directing patrons with special needs to parking spaces reserved for them and assisting them getting into the building, as needed; keeping the lane trucks use to bring soup into the luncheon open; maintaining ‘cones’ in the special needs spaces; and giving the emcee information about vehicles (make, model, license plate number) blocking other vehicles or interfering with the soup delivery lane.

One volunteer will be the Parking Supervisor (This position is FULL) and 5 – 6 volunteers will be Parking Assistants, each in 2 shifts, 9:30 am - 11:30 and 11:30 - 2 pm. The Parking Staff (Supervisor and Assistants) will meet with Mike and Tammy Miller (EBM Co-Presidents and Volunteer Coordinators) by Feb 10, to receive diagrams of the parking lots and discuss problems that have occurred in the past. Parking Staff will develop a written Parking Plan (including any signs they might want) and share this with the Millers.

Late February is often cold – Parking Staff should dress appropriately, wearing layers of warm clothing, hats/toboggans and warm shoes; bright colored vests MUST be worn by Parking Staff. Parking Staff will take turns parking vehicles outside and moving inside to warm up in cold weather. Parking Staff should bring snacks/lunch and drinks.

The main parking lot at Mylan is very large – walkie talkies will be provided to facilitate communication among Parking Staff.

Parking Staff 1st shift should arrive at Mylan at 9 am and register, then set cones in special needs spaces, set any signs and be in place to direct volunteers into their spaces. Patrons will likely start arriving about 9:45 am and should be directed to specific parking spaces. Parking Attendants for the 2nd shift should arrive at 11 am and register, then 'shadow' the attendants they will replace. The need for Parking Assistants will start decreasing about 1:30 and some Assistants can ‘quit’; all Parking Staff can ‘quit’ by 2 pm. Then volunteers can come inside to see what’s been going on and have some hot soup.

4 Parking Attendants needed in 1st shift

Attendants in 2nd shift are FULL