Summer Associate VISTA, Otsego & Chenango counties

Host site:  Hunger Free America  

Term of service:  35hrs/week (generally Monday-Friday) from June 15th-August 23rd 2026 

Work environment:  Hybrid- remote with travel around Otsego & Chenango counties NY, including weekly work at Cooperstown Food Pantry 

Reports to:  Benefits Specialist, Otsego & Chenango counties 

Hunger Free America (founded in 1983 as the New York City Coalition Against Hunger) is a dynamic and highly effective national progressive anti-hunger advocacy and direct service organization that is based in New York City but works in all 50 states.   

The Nation has written that the organization has grown into “one of the leading direct service and advocacy organizations on hunger and poverty in the nation.” Our mission is to build a nonpartisan, grass-roots movement to enact the progressive public policies and programs needed to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food.   

Our long-term goal is not just to ameliorate the problem, but also to build the people’s movement necessary to enact the economic and public policies needed to end hunger entirely. Given that hunger drains our economy and tears at our moral and civic fabric, we know that eliminating it will boost the nation both economically and spiritually. Towards that end, we have adopted the motto: “Ending hunger lifts us all.”  

Working closely with our Benefits Specialist for Otsego & Chenango counties, the Summer Associate VISTA will conduct outreach to raise awareness of Summer Meal sites in the two counties, conduct outreach to provide information on our Benefits Access services and building partnerships with local organizations.   

• Conduct outreach to disseminate information about Summer Meals programs locally  

• Conduct outreach to increase participation locally in SNAP and WIC, providing basic screenings for potential clients, and referring them to relevant services including HFA’s Benefits Access Specialist  

• Outreach activities could include tabling, attending community events, attending food distributions, meeting with local organizations who may have clients which would benefit  

• Network with and build relationships with local organizations who may be able to promote the Summer Meals programs and Benefits Access services  

• Assist on a weekly basis with partners such as Cooperstown Food Pantry in delivering their food assistance services and disseminating information to their clients  

• Possible volunteer recruitment and management to assist with outreach activities

• Must reside within commutable distance to Otsego/Chenango counties 

• Must be 18+  

• Pass a national service criminal history check  

• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses:

  • US Citizen 

  • US National 

  • Lawful permanent resident