Community Outreach Alliance
A 100% volunteer-run nonprofit
Thank you for volunteering
COA Volunteer Resource Center
First of all, thank you so much for volunteering! We appreciate you so much. Community Outreach Alliance is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit, and we are grateful for you.
This resource page will help you navigate volunteering with COA. We will continue adding helpful information and welcome your suggestions for making this page better.
Start here
Four things every volunteer needs
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Volunteer Signup and Check-In
Sign up for a shift, enter your volunteer hours, and check in or out on the day you serve. If you cannot attend, remove your name so the team knows the opening is available.
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Volunteer Waiver
Complete the required COA volunteer waiver before serving.
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Anonymous Volunteer Survey
Share honest feedback anonymously. You do not need to provide your name. If you want someone to contact you, leave your information and the COA team will schedule a time to talk.
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COA Calendar of Upcoming Events
View upcoming food distributions and COA entertainment events.
Contacts
Need Help? Contact the COA Team
General Help and Questions
- Phone:
- (949) 257-2286
Food Connection Leads
-
Molly
Phone: 949-633-9534
-
Silvia
Out until after October
-
Jennifer A.
Board President
Text Jennifer with questions or concerns.
Phone: 949-795-4721
For food-handler training assistance, call or text Molly at 949-633-9534.
Weekly rhythm
Volunteer Schedule
Schedules may change. Please use the volunteer signup sheet to confirm dates, available shifts, and assignments.
Mondays
Pantry at the Bahai
- 1st Monday
- Volunteer to unload and sort food, then open shopping.
- 2nd Monday
- Community Food Distribution.
- 3rd Monday
- Volunteer to unload and sort food, then open shopping.
- 4th Monday
- Community Food Distribution.
Food Connection volunteer shift: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Monday.
Thursdays
Cottons Point and the Bahai
- 1st Thursday
- Volunteer at Cottons Point.
- 2nd Thursday
- Open volunteer shift to unload and sort food, then open shopping at the Bahai.
- 3rd Thursday
- Volunteer at Cottons Point.
- 4th Thursday
- Open volunteer shift to unload and sort food, then open shopping at the Bahai.
Cottons Point volunteer shift: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on the 1st and 3rd Thursday.
Saturdays
Bahai
- Every 2nd Saturday
- Community Food Distribution at the Bahai.
Volunteer shift: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Important
Food Handler Certificate and Lead Volunteer Compliance
Hello COA Lead Volunteers,
First and foremost, Sylvia and I want to sincerely thank each of you for the incredible hard work, dedication, and heart you pour into serving our community and underserved populations.
What we accomplish through COA would not be possible without you. Your willingness to show up, train, lead, problem-solve, and care for the people we serve makes a tremendous difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
We are tightening our compliance procedures. Second Harvest inspectors take their responsibilities seriously, so please stay prepared.
We should expect more random inspections and compliance checks.
- Properly use food thermometers to monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures.
- Use insulated blankets in vehicles and over perishable food before distributions.
- Properly use scales during food pickups.
- Verify that Food Handler Certificates are current.
- Check your records or email and send a copy of your current certificate.
- Follow all food-handling and food-safety practices.
- Complete sign-in sheets accurately.
- Follow all applicable Second Harvest distribution and Grocery Rescue procedures.
This is nothing our team cannot handle. Please stay aware, prepared, and consistent so COA remains fully compliant and represents our community well.
Required training
Please Send These Items
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Confirmation that you completed the Second Harvest Lead Training, including the date you completed it.
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A copy of your current Food Handler Certificate. You should have received it in an email from Second Harvest at Manuela@feedoc.org.
If you have not completed the required training, use the guide and test below to finish it as soon as possible.
Safe Food Handling Certification Guide
ServSafe Food Handler Guide for Food Banking 2025
Before each pickup or distribution
Before You Leave
Take a few minutes before each pickup or distribution to make sure you have everything you need. Preparation will make surprise inspections easier for everyone.
- Food thermometers
- Insulated blankets
- Scales, when applicable
- Required paperwork
- Volunteer sign-in sheets
- Pickup or distribution instructions
- Current training and certification records
Grocery rescue
Weekly Food Pickups
Monday Pickups
- Trader Joe’s
- Gelson’s
- Target
- Sprouts
- Ralphs
Thursday Pickups
- Target
- Costco
Other ways to volunteer
More Ways to Help COA
We also need volunteers with different skills and interests.
- Social media posting
- Newsletters
- Attending events
- Putting up posters
- Outreach
- Grant writing
- Community awareness
- Fundraising
- Board membership
Interested in helping in one of these areas? Text Jennifer at 949-795-4721.
Join the COA Volunteer WhatsApp Group
We have separate chats for volunteers based on the days they serve, plus a general chat for questions, concerns, and comments.
Gratitude
Thank You for Serving Our Community
Most importantly, thank you again for everything you do. We know so many of you give countless hours of your personal time because you care about our community and the people we serve.
Your commitment, compassion, and willingness to help do not go unnoticed.
We appreciate each and every one of you, and we are incredibly grateful to have such a dedicated group of lead volunteers representing COA.
You truly make the world a better place!
With gratitude,
Molly & Sylvia
Ready for Your Next Volunteer Shift?